Clutches with a fluid and cam operated pressure modulating valve

Claim 2

A marine gear transmission of the type having both forward and reverse, hydraulically actuated, modulatable friction clutches which are selectively engagable to drive a vessel in the forward or reverse directions respectively, said transmission having hydraulic control means for said clutches and comprising; a direction selector valve for directing pressure fluid selectively to either said forward or reverse clutch for engagement thereof, a pressure regulator valve with a controlled rate or pressure rise mode for regulating the fluid pressure admitted to said clutches for engagement of said clutches, said pressure regulator valve comprising a shiftable piston operatively associated with said selective valve to regulate the pressure fluid delivered by said selector valve to said clutches, a spring loaded follower for resiliently urging the piston to a high pressure position, a trolling valve for engagement with said follower and shiftable between (a) a controlled rate-of-pressure rise position whereby said follower is shifted to a maximum pressure position and (b) a trolling position for a range of movement for shifting said follower over a range of lower pressure for trolling, and an orifice and check valve means connected in fluid communication with and between said selector valve and said trolling valve for admitting pressure fluid to said trolling valve, whereby when said trolling valve is in said controlled rate-of- pressure rise position, then pressure fluid can flow to said follower to thereby permit said piston to be hydraulically adjusted and consequently regulate the rate of rise of pressure in said clutches, and when said trolling valve is in said trolling position then pressure fluid flow is blocked to said follower and the latter is manually adjusted by movement of said trolling valve through said range of movement.

Claim 3

The transmission set forth in claim 1 including a shuttle valve for directing lubricating fluid between the clutch plates of either the forward or reverse clutch which has been selected for operation to thereby cool said clutch, said shuttle valve being in fluid communication with said selector valve and receiving pressure fluid therefrom, whereby when said selector valve is shifted to convey pressure fluid to either the forward or reverse clutch, said shuttle valve also receives pressure fluid from said selector valve and directs it either to the forward or reverse clutch which has been selected for engagement to thereby cool the latter.

Claim 4

The transmission set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said trolling valve has an eccentric cam portion which can abut agaInst said follower and shift the position of the spring loaded follower relative to said piston to thereby vary the force on said piston which urges the latter to a maximum pressure position.

Claim 5

A marine gear transmission of the type having both forward and reverse, hydraulically actuated, modulatable friction plate clutches which are selectively engagable to drive a vessel in the forward or reverse directions respectively, said transmission having hydraulic control means for said clutches and comprising; a direction selector valve for directing pressure fluid selectively to either said forward or reverse clutch for engagement thereof, pressure regulator valve with a controlled rate of pressure rise mode for regulating the fluid pressure admitted to said clutches for engagement of said clutches, said pressure regulator valve comprising a shiftable piston operatively associated with said selective valve to regulate the pressure fluid delivered by said selector valve to said clutches, said pressure regulator valve also having a controlled rate-of-pressure rise portion comprising a shiftable piston follower with a spring bearing against said piston, said spring being located between said follower and said piston, said follower and spring resiliently urging the piston to a high pressure position, a trolling valve having an eccentric cam for engagement with said follower and shiftable between (a) a controlled rate-of-pressure rise position whereby said follower is shifted to a maximum pressure position and (b) a trolling position for a range of movement for shifting said follower over a range of lower pressure for trolling, and an orifice and check valve means connected in fluid communication with and between said selector valve and said trolling valve for admitting pressure fluid to said trolling valve, whereby when said trolling valve is in said controlled rate-of-pressure rise position, then pressure fluid can flow to said follower to thereby permit said piston to be hydraulically adjusted and consequently regulate the controlled rate of rise of pressure in said clutches, and when said trolling valve is in said trolling position then pressure fluid flow is blocked to said follower and the latter is manually adjusted by movement of said trolling valve through said range of movement; a priority flow lubricating valve for directing lubricating fluid between the clutch plates of either the forward or reverse clutch which has been selected for operation to thereby cool said clutch, said lubricating valve being in fluid communication with said selector valve and receiving pressure fluid therefrom, whereby when said selector valve is shifted to convey pressure fluid to either the forward or reverse clutch, said lubricating valve also receives pressure fluid from said selector valve and directs it either to the forward or reverse clutch which has been selected for engagement to thereby cool the latter.

Claim 6

A marine gear transmission of the type having both forward and reverse, hydraulically actuated, modulatable friction plate clutches which are selectively engagable to drive a vessel in the forward or reverse directions respectively, said transmission having hydraulic control means for said clutches and comprising; a direction selector valve for directing pressure fluid selectively to either said forward or reverse clutch for engagement thereof, pressure regulator valve with a controlled rate of pressure rise mode for regulating the fluid pressure admitted to said clutches for engagement of said clutches, said pressure regulator valve comprising a shiftable piston operatively associated with said selective valve to regulate the pressure fluid delivered by said selector valve to said clutches, said pressure regulator valve also having a controlled rate-of-pressure rise portion comprising a shiftable piston follower with a spring bearing against said piston, said spring being located between said follower and said piston, said follower and spring resiliently urging the piston to a high pressure position, a trolling valve having an eccentric cam for engagement with said follower and shiftable between (a) a controlled rate-of-pressure rise position whereby said follower is shifted to a maximum pressure position and (b) a trolling position for a range of movement for shifting said follower over a range of lower pressure for trolling, and an orifice and check valve means connected in fluid communication with and between said selector valve and said trolling valve for admitting pressure fluid to said trolling valve, whereby when said trolling valve is in said controlled rate-of-pressure rise position, then pressure fluid can flow to said follower to thereby permit said piston to be hydraulically adjusted and consequently regulate the controlled rate of rise of pressure in said clutches, and when said trolling valve is in said trolling position then pressure fluid flow is blocked to said follower and the latter is manually adjusted by movement of said trolling valve through said range of movement; a priority flow lubricating valve for directing lubricating fluid between the clutch plates of either the forward or reverse clutch which has been selected for operation to thereby cool said clutch, said lubricating valve being in fluid communication with said selector valve and receiving pressure fluid therefrom, whereby when said selector valve is shifted to convey pressure fluid to either the forward or reverse clutch, said lubricating valve also receives pressure fluid from said selector valve and directs it either to the forward or reverse clutch which has been selected for engagement to thereby cool the latter.

Claim 7

A marine gear transmission of the type having both forward and reverse, hydraulically actuated, modulatable friction clutches which are selectively engageable to drive a vessel in the forward or reverse directions respectively, said transmission having hydraulic control means for said clutches and comprising; a direction selector valve for directing pressure fluid selectively to either said forward or reverse clutch for engagement thereof, a pressure controlled rate-of-pressure rise valve for regulating the fluid pressure admitted to said clutches for engagement of said clutches, said rate of rise valve having a resiliently biased regulator means including a shiftable piston associated with said selective valve to regulate the pressure fluid delivered by said selector valve to said clutches, said regulator means urging the piston to a high pressure position, a trolling valve for engagement with said regulator means and shiftable between (a) a controlled rate-of-pressure rise position whereby said regulator means is shifted to a maximum pressure position and (b) a trolling position for a range of movement for shifting said regulator means over a range of lower pressure for trolling, and an orifice and check valve means connected in fluid communication with and between said selector valve and said trolling valve for admitting pressure fluid to said trolling valve, whereby when said trolling valve is in said controlled rate-of-pressure rise position, then pressure fluid can flow to said regulator means to hydraulically adjust said regulator means and consequently control the rate of rise of pressure in said clutches, and when said trolling valve is in said trolling position then pressure fluid flow is blocked to controlled rate of pressure rise means and the latter is manually adjusted by movement of said trolling valve through said range of movement.

Claim 8

A marine gear transmission of the type having both forward and reverse, hydraulically actuated, modulatable friction clutches which are selectively engageable to drive a vessel in the forward or reverse directions respectively, said transmission having hydraulic control means for said clutches and comprising; a direction selector valve for directing pressure fluid selectively to either said forward or reverse clutch for engagement thereof, a pressure controlled rate-of-pressure rise valve for regulating the fluid pressure admitted to said clutches for engagement of said clutches, said rate of rise valve having a resiliently biased regulator means including a shiftable piston associated with said selective valve to regulate the pressure fluid delivered by said selector valve to said clutches, said regulator means urging the piston to a high pressure position, a trolling valve for engagement with said regulator means and shiftable between (a) a controlled rate-of-pressure rise position whereby said regulator means is shifted to a maximum pressure position and (b) a trolling position for a range of movement for shifting said regulator means over a range of lower pressure for trolling, and an orifice and check valve means connected in fluid communication with and between said selector valve and said trolling valve for admitting pressure fluid to said trolling valve, whereby when said trolling valve is in said controlled rate-of-pressure rise position, then pressure fluid can flow to said regulator means to hydraulically adjust said regulator means and consequently control the rate of rise of pressure in said clutches, and when said trolling valve is in said trolling position then pressure fluid flow is blocked to controlled rate of pressure rise means and the latter is manually adjusted by movement of said trolling valve through said range of movement.