US3896910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interrelated control for a slipping clutch and associated transmission
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1973-07-26
•
Granted: 1975-07-29
•
Expires: 1993-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A control system for a vehicular drive train including a slipping clutch for proportioning power from a prime mover to implements and a primary output shaft of the vehicle including a manual control conditioned by a manual selector to vary engagement of the slipping clutch through a regulating valve in a first mode of vehicle operation and to regulate acceleration of the prime mover in a second mode of vehicle operation. Additional elements of the control system include an adjustable wheel slip sensing mechanism preferably associated with the manual control, a bypass valve associated with the regulating valve and preferably with a hydraulically operable transmission in the drive train for maintaining a positive drive coupling through a torque converter coupled with the slipping clutch and an input valve also associated with the transmission to condition the slipping clutch for receiving a substantial portion of shock loading applied to the drive train.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney J Audiffred
- 👤 David W Bump
- 👤 Raymond N Erkkila
- 👤 Lowell E Johnson
- 👤 Shairyl I Pearce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H47/00; F16H47/06; B; B60; B60K; B60K25/00; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/02; B60W10/04; F16H45/00; F16H2045/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
A hydraulic control system for a power train, the power train proportioning power from a prime mover to auxiliary equipment and a primary output shaft, the power train including an input means coupling the prime mover with the auxiliary equipment, an output means operatively coupled with the primary output shaft and a slipping clutch providing a variable coupling between the input and output means and a transmission having directional and speed range gears respectively controlled by hydraulically operable clutch means is arranged between the power output means and the primary output shaft, a transmission control valve assembly being in communication with the transmission to selectively pressurize the transmission clutch means, comprising a valve assembly for hydraulically varying engagement of the slipping clutch, the valve assembly including an input valve means for communicating actuating fluid through an inlet conduit to the slipping clutch, and a regulating valve being adjustable to selectively vary pressure of the actuating fluid communicated to the slipping clutch from the input valve means, a conduit means including a restriction, the input valve means being in connection with the control valve assembly through the conduit means for delivering actuating fluid pressure to the slipping clutch in delayed proportion to engagement of the hydraulically operable clutch means in the transmission, manual control means coupled with the regulating valve for adjustment thereof, and slip indicating means operatively associated with the manual control means for providing a feedback signal when a selected level of torque is being transferred through the slipping clutch, the slip limiting means including resilient abutment means for contacting and resisting operation of the manual control means only after the manual control means has been moved a predetermined distance for the selected level of torque transmission, and manually adjustable means operatively coupled with the resilient abutment means for varying the effective position of the resilient abutment means and thereby adjusting the selected level of torque transmission.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
A hydraulic control system for a power train, the power train proportioning power from a prime mover to auxiliary equipment and a primary output shaft, the power train including an input means coupling the prime mover with the auxiliary equipment, an output means operatively coupled with the primary output shaft and a slipping clutch providing a variable coupling between the input and output means and a transmission having directional and speed range gears respectively controlled by hydraulically operable clutch means is arranged between the power output means and the primary output shaft, a transmission control valve assembly being in communication with the transmission to selectively pressurize the transmission clutch means, comprising a valve assembly for hydraulically varying engagement of the slipping clutch, the valve assembly including an input valve means for communicating actuating fluid through an inlet conduit to the slipping clutch, and a regulating valve being adjustable to selectively vary pressure of the actuating fluid communicated to the slipping clutch from the input valve means, a conduit means including a restriction, the input valve means being in connection with the control valve assembly through the conduit means for delivering actuating fluid pressure to the slipping clutch in delayed proportion to engagement of the hydraulically operable clutch means in the transmission, manual control means coupled with the regulating valve for adjustment thereof, and slip indicating means operatively associated with the manual control means for providing a feedback signal when a selected level of torque is being transferred through the slipping clutch, the slip limiting means including resilient abutment means for contacting and resisting operation of the manual control means only after the manual control means has been moved a predetermined distance for the selected level of torque transmission, and manually adjustable means operatively coupled with the resilient abutment means for varying the effective position of the resilient abutment means and thereby adjusting the selected level of torque transmission.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein a load piston having an actuating chamber is arranged for interaction with the input valve means through spring means, the load piston actUating chamber being in restricted communication with the control valve assembly, check valve means providing a relatively free return passage from the load piston actuating chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The control system of claim 2 wherein the input valve is a reducing valve providing a predetermined minimum engagement pressure to the slipping clutch means, the load piston being responsive to fluid pressure in its actuating chamber for conditioning the input valve to deliver full actuating fluid pressure to the slipping clutch means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |