Patent US4350413A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3913697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle having a power take-off and a hydraulic motor, and method of driving same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Vehicle means, such as a truck-and-trailer combination, has an engine coupled to a power take-off unit, such as a torque divider which has one output drivingly, preferably mechanically, coupled to a primary driving element, e.g., the truck wheels, and a second output coupled to a variable-displacement pump which is connected by ducts to a motor drivingly coupled to a secondary driving element, e.g., the trailer wheels. A by-pass valve advantageously interconnects said ducts. The torque divider may be a power take off device or may have differential action; in the latter case it may include clutch means for driving the primary driving element directly, eliminating differential action. A second clutch may optionally be provided to disconnect the hydraulic motor from the secondary driving element. By altering the relative displacements of the pump and motor the power distribution can be changed. The pump displacement may be adjusted to equalize substantially or bring to a desired ratio the pressures in the pump supply and return ducts, e.g., with the aid of visible pressure gages on the ducts and a manually controllable displacement changer. A leakage return line from the motor to the pump is advantageously provided. In the method, the pump displacement is adjusted to balance the pressures in the ducts, and the motor is driven only when the ratio of the ground speeds of the truck and trailer wheels is altered.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence Kirk Greene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:26
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D59/00; B62D59/04; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/34; B60K17/356
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of driving a self-propelled vehicle means having primary and secondary ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes from a power plant on the vehicle means, which comprises applying power from the power plant to the primary driving element, driving a variable-displacement pump from said power plant through a power take-off unit, adjusting the displacement of said pump to balance approximately the pressures in duct means including supply and return ducts interconnecting said pump and a hydraulic motor which is coupled to drive the secondary driving element, said adjustment being valid when the vehicle means moves forwardly on straight road affording good traction, transmitting substantially no hydraulic power by flow of fluid through said duct means when the vehicle moves forwardly on straight road affording good traction, and transmitting hydraulic power by flow of fluid through said duct means between said pump and motor substantially only when the ratio of the speeds of the primary and secondary driving elements is altered.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of driving a self-propelled vehicle means having primary and secondary ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes from a power plant on the vehicle means, which comprises applying power from the power plant to the primary driving element, driving a variable-displacement pump from said power plant through a power take-off unit, adjusting the displacement of said pump to balance approximately the pressures in duct means including supply and return ducts interconnecting said pump and a hydraulic motor which is coupled to drive the secondary driving element, said adjustment being valid when the vehicle means moves forwardly on straight road affording good traction, transmitting substantially no hydraulic power by flow of fluid through said duct means when the vehicle moves forwardly on straight road affording good traction, and transmitting hydraulic power by flow of fluid through said duct means between said pump and motor substantially only when the ratio of the speeds of the primary and secondary driving elements is altered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said pump is driven under all conditions of operation at a rotary speed which has a fixed ratio to the speed of said primary driving element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
planet gear means rotatably mounted on said carrier for rotation thereon and therewith on axes parallel to and eccentric to the axis of the input shaft
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
planet gear means rotatably mounted on said carrier for rotation thereon and therewith on axes parallel to and eccentric to the axis of the input shaft
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
a sun gear rotably coupled to said first output and meshing internally with said planet gear means, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
a sun gear rotably coupled to said first output and meshing internally with said planet gear means, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein changes in the pressures within said duct means due to differences in the speeds of said primary and secondary driving elements upon curvature of the path of the vehicle means are accommodated by leaking hydraulic fluid from one of said duct means within the hydraulic motor, and the leaked fluid is returned to the duct means by an auxiliary pump.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a self-propelled vehicle means having a power plant and primary and secondary ground-engaging elements situated on different transverse axes, a drive system which includes: a. means drivingly coupled to the primary driving element for driving said element from the power pland, a power take-off unit having an input drivenly coupled to said power plant, an output of said unit drivingly coupled to a variable displacement pump, the primary driving element and the pump being so interconnected that the ratio of the speeds of the primary driving element to that of the pump input shaft is fixed, a hydraulic motor drivingly coupled to the secondary driving element, and first and second duct means for interconnecting the pump and the motor for driving the motor from the pUmp, and b. means for varying the displacement of the pump to establish and maintain a desired fixed relationship between the pressures within said first and second duct means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a self-propelled vehicle means having a power plant and primary and secondary ground-engaging elements situated on different transverse axes, a drive system which includes: a. means drivingly coupled to the primary driving element for driving said element from the power pland, a power take-off unit having an input drivenly coupled to said power plant, an output of said unit drivingly coupled to a variable displacement pump, the primary driving element and the pump being so interconnected that the ratio of the speeds of the primary driving element to that of the pump input shaft is fixed, a hydraulic motor drivingly coupled to the secondary driving element, and first and second duct means for interconnecting the pump and the motor for driving the motor from the pUmp, and b. means for varying the displacement of the pump to establish and maintain a desired fixed relationship between the pressures within said first and second duct means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
an internal gear rotatably coupled to said second output and meshing externally with said planet gear means, b. a hydraulic motor rotationally coupled to drive the driving element on the other of said transverse axes, and c. duct means interconnecting the pump and motor for driving the motor from the pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
an internal gear rotatably coupled to said second output and meshing externally with said planet gear means, b. a hydraulic motor rotationally coupled to drive the driving element on the other of said transverse axes, and c. duct means interconnecting the pump and motor for driving the motor from the pump.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 4 which includes an adjustable by-pass valve interconnected between said two duct means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
In combination with the elements according to claim 4, means for indicating to the operator of the vehicle means the relationship of the pressures within said first and second duct means, the said means for varying the displacement of the pump being manually controllable by the operator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said indicating means includes a pressure gage connected to each of said first and second duct means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
In combination with the elements according to claim 4, a transmission situated between the power plant and the input of the power take-off unit, for driving the primary driving element and the pump from said transmission.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein: a. said vehicle means is a truck-and-trailer combination, the primary driving element being truck wheels and the secondary driving element being trailer wheels, said combination including b. means for indicating to the operator of the vehicle means the relationship of the pressures within said first and second duct means, and c. a manually controllable by-pass valve interconnecting said first and second duct means by additional duct means, said by-pass valve being operable by said operator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
213 words
In a self-propelled vehicle means having a power plant and primary and secondary ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes, a drive system which includes; a. a differential torque dividing mechanism having an input shaft drivently coupled to said power plant, a first output shaft rotationally and drivingly coupled to said primary driving element, and a second output shaft rotationally and frivingly coupled to a hydraulic pump. b. said torque dividing mechanism comprising gear means for driving said output shafts differentially from the input shaft and including a rotatable planet carrier, planet gears means rotatably mounted on said carrier for rotation thereon and therewith and meshing with two gears of which on is fixed rotationally to a separate shaft, the carrier being fixed rotationally to said separate shaft which may be in input shaft, c. means for causing the input shaft and the first output shaft to rotate at approximately the same rotational speeds, d. clutch means including actuating mechanism therefore for engaging and disengaging the clutch means to selectively interconnect the input shaft to the first output shaft, e. a hydraulic motor drivingly coupled to said secondary driving element, and f. first and second duct means interconnecting the pump and the hydraulic motor for driving the motor hydraulically from the pump.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
213 words
In a self-propelled vehicle means having a power plant and primary and secondary ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes, a drive system which includes; a. a differential torque dividing mechanism having an input shaft drivently coupled to said power plant, a first output shaft rotationally and drivingly coupled to said primary driving element, and a second output shaft rotationally and frivingly coupled to a hydraulic pump. b. said torque dividing mechanism comprising gear means for driving said output shafts differentially from the input shaft and including a rotatable planet carrier, planet gears means rotatably mounted on said carrier for rotation thereon and therewith and meshing with two gears of which on is fixed rotationally to a separate shaft, the carrier being fixed rotationally to said separate shaft which may be in input shaft, c. means for causing the input shaft and the first output shaft to rotate at approximately the same rotational speeds, d. clutch means including actuating mechanism therefore for engaging and disengaging the clutch means to selectively interconnect the input shaft to the first output shaft, e. a hydraulic motor drivingly coupled to said secondary driving element, and f. first and second duct means interconnecting the pump and the hydraulic motor for driving the motor hydraulically from the pump.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
A self-propelled vehicle means according to claim 10 wherein said planet carrier is rotationally fixed to the input shaft and said planet gear means comprises one or more spur gears, said planet gear means meshing with both of the gears which are fixed rotationally to the two output shafts, one of said last-mentioned gears being an internal gear and the other being a sun gear.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
A self-propelled vehicle means according to claim 10 wherein said planet carrier is rotationally fixed to the input shaft, the planet gear means and the two gears meshing therewith are bevel gears, said input shaft extends past one of said two bevel gears with free relative rotary motion, one of said meshing bevel gears is fixed to the first output shaft and the other is rotationally fixed to the second output shaft, the said input shaft carries radially extending means for driving said planet carrier situated between the said two meshing bevel gears, and the clutch means acts between the first output shaft and the planet carrier.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a self-propelled veHicle means having a power plant and a plurality of ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes, a drive system which includes: a. a differential torque divider having an input shaft drivenly coupled to the power plant, two output shafts, and gear means for driving said output shafts differentially, b. means for coupling one of said output shafts mechanically to the driving element on one axis, c. a hydraulic motor drivingly coupled to the driving element on another axis, d. a pump coupled to the other of said output shafts, e. duct means continuously interconnecting the pump and the hydraulic motor under all conditions of operation for driving the motor from the pump and the pump from the motor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a self-propelled veHicle means having a power plant and a plurality of ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes, a drive system which includes: a. a differential torque divider having an input shaft drivenly coupled to the power plant, two output shafts, and gear means for driving said output shafts differentially, b. means for coupling one of said output shafts mechanically to the driving element on one axis, c. a hydraulic motor drivingly coupled to the driving element on another axis, d. a pump coupled to the other of said output shafts, e. duct means continuously interconnecting the pump and the hydraulic motor under all conditions of operation for driving the motor from the pump and the pump from the motor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 13 wherein said vehicle means is a truck-and-trailer combination including a draw-bar pivotally connected to the truck for towing the trailer, said one axis being on the truck and the other axis and the hydraulic motor being on the trailer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein the pump has a variable displacement and is mounted on the truck, said pump having means operable from the truck for changing the pump displacement, whereby the compressive force on the draw-bar can be reduced upon descent of a grade by reducing the pump displacement.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 15 which includes a by-pass valve interconnecting said duct means and controllable from the truck.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein the trailer includes a differential gear drivingly coupled to a pair of trailer wheels constituting one of said driving elements and the hydraulic motor is coupled to drive the input of the differential gear.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination according to claim 13 wherein the differential torque divider has clutch means for selectively interconnecting the input shaft rotationally to said one output shaft, said vehicle means being a truck-and-trailer combination and said one axis being on the truck and the other being on the trailer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
In combination with the elements according to claim 18, a transmission situated between the power plant and the input shaft of the torque divider.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
71 words
A vehicle means having a power plant and a plurality of ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes which includes a drive system having: a. a differential torque divider with an input shaft drivenly coupled to the power plant, a first output rotationally coupled to a pump, and a second output rotationally coupled to the driving element on one of said transverse axes by mechanical means, said torque divider including:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
71 words
A vehicle means having a power plant and a plurality of ground-engaging driving elements situated on different transverse axes which includes a drive system having: a. a differential torque divider with an input shaft drivenly coupled to the power plant, a first output rotationally coupled to a pump, and a second output rotationally coupled to the driving element on one of said transverse axes by mechanical means, said torque divider including:
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
A self-propelled vehicle means according to claim 20 wherein the differential torque divider has clutch means for selectively interconnecting the input shaft rotationally to said second output.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
A self-propelled vehicle means according to claim 20 wherein the said duct means continuously interconnect the pump and motor under all conditions of operation whereby both the pump can drive the motor and the motor can drive the pump.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |