Synchronously shiftable dual range planetary transmission with coaxial input shafts

Claim 2

In a drive train of the type including power input means; an output shaft; hydrostatic transmission means comprising a driving member connected to said power input means, a driven member and means for effecting relatively reverse directions of rotation of said driven member; output planetary gearing including a plurality of drivingly interconnected members for selectively imparting low/reverse speed drive and high speed drive to said output shaft, one of said members of the output planetary gearing being connected to said driven member, said output shaft being drivingly connected with a second of said members of the output planetary gearing, a third one of said members of said output planetary gearing being adapted for selective connection to said power input means for drive input rotation thereby at a fixed ratio with respect to the rotation of said driving member, and a fourth one of said members of the output planetary gearing being adapted for selective braking to prevent its rotation; and input shaft and clutch means connecting said power means to said third member of the output planetary gearing; fixed means; brake means connecting said fixed means to said fourth member of the output planetary gearing; and means for engaging said clutch means while disengaging said brake means and vice versa; the improvement wherein: said output shaft is coaxial with said input shaft and a quill shaft concentric with said input shaft connects said driven member to said one member of the output planetary gearing; and said third member of the output planetary gearing being idly driven in the same direction as said output shaft and at said fixed ratio with respect to said driving member when said fourth member is fixed and said driven member attains a first maximum rotational speed with respect to said driving member whereby said clutch means may be engaged under synchronous conditions, and said one member of the output planetary gearing being driven from said first maximum speed to a second maximum speed which is of opposite rotational sense when said clutch means is engaged whereby progressively to increase the speed of said output shaft with respect to that of said power input means to a selected final ratio.

Claim 3

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of coaxial input shafts comprising an outer shaft and an inner shaft; a source of rotary power; hydrostatic transmission means connecting said source of power to said outer shaft for imparting infinitely variable ratio drive in relatively opposite directions from said source of rotary power to said outer shaft, said inner shaft being connected to said source of rotary power for continuous rotation at fixed ratio with respect to the rotation of said source of rotary power; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; single input-dual input planetary gear means connected to said input shaft and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage, synchronously shiftable drive from said source of rotary power to said output shaft; and clutch means connecting said inner shaft to said planetary gear means for causing said planetary gear means to impart high speed stage drive to said output shaft, brake means connected to said planetary gear means for causing said planetary gear means to impart reverse/low speed stage drive to said output shaft, and control means interconnecting said hydrostatic transmission means to said brake means and said clutch means for effecting said two stage, snychronously shiftable drive while effecting an infinitely variable ratio drive ranging continuously from a predetermined reverse speed drive ratio to a predetermined forward speed drive ratio.

Claim 4

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of coaxial input shafts comprising an outer shaft and an inner shaft; a source of rotary power; hydrostatic transmission means connecting said source of power to said outer shaft for imparting infinitely variable ratio drive in relatively opposite directions from said source of rotary power to said outer shaft, said inner shaft being connected to said source of rotary power for continuous rotation at fixed ratio with respect to the rotation of said source of rotary power; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; single input-dual input planetary gear means connected to said input shaft and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage, synchronously shiftable drive from said source of rotary power to said output shaft; and clutch means connecting said inner shaft to said planetary gear means for causing said planetary gear means to impart high speed stage drive to said output shaft, brake means connected to said planetary gear means for causing said planetary gear means to impart reverse/low speed stage drive to said output shaft, and control means interconnecting said hydrostatic transmission means to said brake means and said clutch means for effecting said two stage, snychronously shiftable drive while effecting an infinitely variable ratio drive ranging continuously from a predetermined reverse speed drive ratio to a predetermined forward speed drive ratio.

Claim 5

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 2 wherein said planetary gear means comprises a reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set and an extended range high forward speed planetary gear set.

Claim 6

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 3 wherein said planetary gear sets share common input sun gear means.

Claim 7

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 6 wherein said sun gear means is connected to said outer shaft.

Claim 8

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 5 wherein said reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set includes a ring gear, said brake means being operable for selectively braking said ring gear, and a planet gear, and a planet gear output member connected directly to said output shaft; said high forward speed planetary gear set including an input member, said clutch means being operable for selectively connecting said input member to said inner shaft, and a further member connected to and rotating in unison with said planet gear output member of the reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set; and said control means being operable for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 9

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 6 wherein said input member and said further member of said high forward speed planetary gear set respectively are a ring gear and a planet gear assembly.

Claim 10

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 6 wherein said input member and said further member of said high forward speed planetary gear set respectively are a ring gear and said planet gear output.

Claim 11

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 6 wherein said input member and said further member of said high forward speed planetary gear set respectively are a planet gear member and a ring gear.

Claim 12

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 2 wherein said hydrostatic transmission means includes a driving member directly connected to said source of rotary power and said inner shaft is also directly connected to said source of rotary power.

Claim 13

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 2 wherein said hydrostatic gear means includes a driving member; and gear means connecting said driving member and said inner shaft to said source of rotary power.

Claim 14

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 11 wherein said gear means comprises a gear set underdriving said inner shaft and a gear set overdriving said driving member of the hydrostatic transmission means.

Claim 15

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of coaxial input shafts comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft; hydrostatic transmission means having a driving member adapted to be connected to a source of rotary power and a driven member connected to said outer shaft for imparting an infinitely variable drive ratio in relatively opposite directions to said driven member from said driving member, said inner shaft being adapted for connection to the source of rotary power for rotation at fixed ratio with respect thereto; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; and single input-dual input planetary gear means connected to said input shafts and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage, synchronously shiftable and infinitely variable ratio drive from the source of rotary power to said output shaft ranging from a predetermined reverse speed drive ratio to a predetermined forward speed drive ratio, said planetary gear means including a three element low range planetary gear set and a three element high range planetary gear set, one element of each of said planetary gear sets being common sun gear means connected to said outer shaft, a second element of said low range planetary gear set being planet gear means directly connected to said output shaft, and the third element of said low range planetary gear set being a ring gear; a second element of said high range planetary gear set being connected to and rotating in unison with said planet gear means of the low range planetary gear set; clutch means for selectively coupling the third element of said high range planetary gear set to said inner shaft; brake means for selectively braking said ring gear of the low range planetary gear set; and control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 16

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of coaxial input shafts comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft; hydrostatic transmission means having a driving member adapted to be connected to a source of rotary power and a driven member connected to said outer shaft for imparting an infinitely variable drive ratio in relatively opposite directions to said driven member from said driving member, said inner shaft being adapted for connection to the source of rotary power for rotation at fixed ratio with respect thereto; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; and single input-dual input planetary gear means connected to said input shafts and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage, synchronously shiftable and infinitely variable ratio drive from the source of rotary power to said output shaft ranging from a predetermined reverse speed drive ratio to a predetermined forward speed drive ratio, said planetary gear means including a three element low range planetary gear set and a three element high range planetary gear set, one element of each of said planetary gear sets being common sun gear means connected to said outer shaft, a second element of said low range planetary gear set being planet gear means directly connected to said output shaft, and the third element of said low range planetary gear set being a ring gear; a second element of said high range planetary gear set being connected to and rotating in unison with said planet gear means of the low range planetary gear set; clutch means for selectively coupling the third element of said high range planetary gear set to said inner shaft; brake means for selectively braking said ring gear of the low range planetary gear set; and control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 17

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of coaxial input shafts comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft; hydrostatic transmission means having a driving member adapted to be connected to a source of rotary power and a driven member connected to said outer shaft for imparting an infinitely variable drive ratio in relatively opposite directions to said driven member from said driving member, said inner shaft being adapted for connection to the source of rotary power for rotation at fixed ratio with respect thereto; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; and single input-dual input planetary gear means connected to said input shafts and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage, synchronously shiftable drive from the source of rotary power to said output shaft ranging from a predetermined reverse speed drive ratio to a predetermined forward speed drive ratio, said planetary gear means including a three element reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set and a three element high forward speed range planetary gear set in which said elements of the two gear sets are interconnected so as to rotate in the same direction and at least substantially at the same speed when operating at said predetermined forward speed drive ratio while achieving torque multiplication throughout the low range; said reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set including a ring gear, brake means for selectively braking said ring gear, and a planet gear output member connected directly to said output shaft; said high forward speed planetary gear set including an input member, clutch means for selectively connecting said input member to said inner shaft, and a further member connected to and rotating in unison with said planet gear output member of the reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set; and control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 18

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of coaxial input shafts comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft; hydrostatic transmission means having a driving member adapted to be connected to a source of rotary power and a driven member connected to said outer shaft for imparting an infinitely variable drive ratio in relatively opposite directions to said driven member from said driving member, said inner shaft being adapted for connection to the source of rotary power for rotation at fixed ratio with respect thereto; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; and single input-dual input planetary gear means connected to said input shafts and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage, synchronously shiftable drive from the source of rotary power to said output shaft ranging from a predetermined reverse speed drive ratio to a predetermined forward speed drive ratio, said planetary gear means including a three element reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set and a three element high forward speed range planetary gear set in which said elements of the two gear sets are interconnected so as to rotate in the same direction and at least substantially at the same speed when operating at said predetermined forward speed drive ratio while achieving torque multiplication throughout the low range; said reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set including a ring gear, brake means for selectively braking said ring gear, and a planet gear output member connected directly to said output shaft; said high forward speed planetary gear set including an input member, clutch means for selectively connecting said input member to said inner shaft, and a further member connected to and rotating in unison with said planet gear output member of the reverse and low forward speed planetary gear set; and control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 19

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 14 wherein said planetary gear sets share common input sun gear means.

Claim 20

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 15 wherein said sun gear means is connected to said outer shaft.

Claim 21

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 15 wherein said input member and said further member of said high forward speed planetary gear set respectively are a ring gear and a planet gear assembly.

Claim 22

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 15 wherein said input member and said further member of said high forward speed planetary gear set respectively are a ring gear and said planet gear output.

Claim 23

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 15 wherein said input member and said further member of said high forward speed planetary gear set respectively are a planet gear member and a ring gear.

Claim 24

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 14 wherein said predetermined forward speed drive ratio is 1/1.

Claim 25

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of input shafts comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft; hydrostatic transmission means having a driven member adapted for connected to a source of rotary power and a driven member connected to said outer shaft for imparting infinitely variable ratio drive to said outer shaft in relatively opposite directions, said inner shaft being adapted for connection with the source of rotary power for rotation at fixed ratio with respect thereto; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; four element planetary gear means connected to said inner and outer shafts and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage drive to said output shaft, the four elements of said planetary gear means being detailed in design to rotate in the same direction and at least substantially at the same speed when operating at said predetermined forward speed drive ratio; and clutch means connecting said inner shaft to one element of said planetary gear means, brake means for selectively braking another element of said planetary gear means, and control means interconnecting said hydrostatic transmission means with said clutch means and said brake means for effecting said two stage drive while imparting an infinitely variable ratio drive ranging from a predetermined reverse speed ratio to a predetermined forward speed ratio.

Claim 26

A vehicle transmission comprising, in combination: a pair of input shafts comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft; hydrostatic transmission means having a driven member adapted for connected to a source of rotary power and a driven member connected to said outer shaft for imparting infinitely variable ratio drive to said outer shaft in relatively opposite directions, said inner shaft being adapted for connection with the source of rotary power for rotation at fixed ratio with respect thereto; an output shaft axially aligned with said input shafts; four element planetary gear means connected to said inner and outer shafts and to said output shaft for imparting a two stage drive to said output shaft, the four elements of said planetary gear means being detailed in design to rotate in the same direction and at least substantially at the same speed when operating at said predetermined forward speed drive ratio; and clutch means connecting said inner shaft to one element of said planetary gear means, brake means for selectively braking another element of said planetary gear means, and control means interconnecting said hydrostatic transmission means with said clutch means and said brake means for effecting said two stage drive while imparting an infinitely variable ratio drive ranging from a predetermined reverse speed ratio to a predetermined forward speed ratio.

Claim 27

A vehicle transmission as defined in claim 21 wherein said predetermined forward speed drive ratio is 1/1 and said four elements rotate in unison when operating at such ratio.

Claim 28

A power transmission for use with power input means for imparting rotary drive to the transmission, comprising in combination: an input quill shaft and an inner shaft coaxial therewithin in which said inner shaft projects beyond said quill shaft at either end thereof; low speed planetary gear means and high speed planetary gear means each centered about said input shafts and including sun gear input means connected to said quill shaft for continuously imparting one input path to both of said planetary gear means; said low speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the said third-element gear means and said high speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means; an output shaft aligned with but disposed beyond said input shafts; one of the two gear means constituted by said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed gear means being connected to said output shaft and to said planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means whereby said output shaft is capable of connection to said sun gear input means through either of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means and a continuous drive coupling is effected between said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means; a hydrostatic drive unit comprising a driving member mechanically connected to said power input means and a rotatable driven member connected to said input quill shaft and including means for infinitely varying the rotational speed of said driven member between first and second maximum speeds which are of opposite rotational sense with respect to each other and of maximum sense with respectt to the rotational speed of said driving member; brake means for selectively braking said third-element gear means of said low speed planetary gear means to prevent rotation thereof and establish low speed drive; and clutch means for selectively coupling said power input means to the other of said two gear means of the high speed planetary gear means through said inner input shaft to establish high speed drive; and the gear ratios of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means being such that as the speed of said output shaft is increasing in low speed range and said driven member of the hydrostatic unit attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously engaged while said brake means is disengaged under substantially no load, and as the speed of said output shaft is decreasing in high speed range and said driven member attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously disengaged while said brake means is engaged under substantially no load, including control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 29

A power transmission for use with power input means for imparting rotary drive to the transmission, comprising in combination: an input quill shaft and an inner shaft coaxial therewithin in which said inner shaft projects beyond said quill shaft at either end thereof; low speed planetary gear means and high speed planetary gear means each centered about said input shafts and including sun gear input means connected to said quill shaft for continuously imparting one input path to both of said planetary gear means; said low speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the said third-element gear means and said high speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means; an output shaft aligned with but disposed beyond said input shafts; one of the two gear means constituted by said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed gear means being connected to said output shaft and to said planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means whereby said output shaft is capable of connection to said sun gear input means through either of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means and a continuous drive coupling is effected between said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means; a hydrostatic drive unit comprising a driving member mechanically connected to said power input means and a rotatable driven member connected to said input quill shaft and including means for infinitely varying the rotational speed of said driven member between first and second maximum speeds which are of opposite rotational sense with respect to each other and of maximum sense with respectt to the rotational speed of said driving member; brake means for selectively braking said third-element gear means of said low speed planetary gear means to prevent rotation thereof and establish low speed drive; and clutch means for selectively coupling said power input means to the other of said two gear means of the high speed planetary gear means through said inner input shaft to establish high speed drive; and the gear ratios of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means being such that as the speed of said output shaft is increasing in low speed range and said driven member of the hydrostatic unit attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously engaged while said brake means is disengaged under substantially no load, and as the speed of said output shaft is decreasing in high speed range and said driven member attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously disengaged while said brake means is engaged under substantially no load, including control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 30

A power transmission for use with power input means for imparting rotary drive to the transmission, comprising in combination: an input quill shaft and an inner shaft coaxial therewithin in which said inner shaft projects beyond said quill shaft at either end thereof; low speed planetary gear means and high speed planetary gear means each centered about said input shafts and including sun gear input means connected to said quill shaft for continuously imparting one input path to both of said planetary means; said low speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the said third-element gear means and said high speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means; an output shaft aligned with but disposed beyond said input shafts; one of the two gear means constituted by said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed planetary gear means being connected to said output shaft and to said planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means whereby said output shaft is capable of connection to said sun gear input means through either of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means and a continuous drive coupling is effected between said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means; a hydrostatic drive unit comprising a driving member mechanically connected to said power input means and a rotatable driven member connected to said input quill shaft and including means for infinitely varying the rotational speed of said driven member between first and second maximum speeds which are of opposite rotational sense with respect to each other and of maximum sense with respect to the rotational speed of said driving member; brake means for selectively braking said third-element gear means of said low speed planetary gear means to prevent rotation thereof and establish low speed drive; and clutch means for selectively coupling said power input means to the other of said two gear means of the high speed planetary gear means through said inner input shaft to establish high speed drive; and the gear ratios of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means being such that as the speed of said output shaft is increasing in low speed range and said driven member of the hydrostatic unit attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously engaged while said brake means is disengaged under substantially no load, and as the speed of said output shaft is decreasing in high speed range and said driven member attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously disengaged while said brake means is engaged under substantially no load, wherein said planet gear means of the high speed planetary gear means is connected to said output shaft and to the planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means and said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary is selectively coupled to said inner shaft by said clutch means, including control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 31

A power transmission for use with power input means for imparting rotary drive to the transmission, comprising in combination: an input quill shaft and an inner shaft coaxial therewithin in which said inner shaft projects beyond said quill shaft at either end thereof; low speed planetary gear means and high speed planetary gear means each centered about said input shafts and including sun gear input means connected to said quill shaft for continuously imparting one input path to both of said planetary means; said low speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the said third-element gear means and said high speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means; an output shaft aligned with but disposed beyond said input shafts; one of the two gear means constituted by said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed planetary gear means being connected to said output shaft and to said planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means whereby said output shaft is capable of connection to said sun gear input means through either of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means and a continuous drive coupling is effected between said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means; a hydrostatic drive unit comprising a driving member mechanically connected to said power input means and a rotatable driven member connected to said input quill shaft and including means for infinitely varying the rotational speed of said driven member between first and second maximum speeds which are of opposite rotational sense with respect to each other and of maximum sense with respect to the rotational speed of said driving member; brake means for selectively braking said third-element gear means of said low speed planetary gear means to prevent rotation thereof and establish low speed drive; and clutch means for selectively coupling said power input means to the other of said two gear means of the high speed planetary gear means through said inner input shaft to establish high speed drive; and the gear ratios of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means being such that as the speed of said output shaft is increasing in low speed range and said driven member of the hydrostatic unit attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously engaged while said brake means is disengaged under substantially no load, and as the speed of said output shaft is decreasing in high speed range and said driven member attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously disengaged while said brake means is engaged under substantially no load, wherein said planet gear means of the high speed planetary gear means is connected to said output shaft and to the planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means and said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary is selectively coupled to said inner shaft by said clutch means, including control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 32

A power transmission for use with power input means for imparting rotary drive to the transmission, comprising in combination: an input quill shaft and an inner shaft coaxial therewithin in which said inner shaft projects beyond said quill shaft at either end thereof; low speed planetary gear means and high speed planetary gear means each centered about said input shafts and including sun gear input means connected to said quill shaft for continuously imparting one input path to both of said planetary gear means; said low speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the said third-element gear means and said high speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means; an output shaft aligned with but disposed beyond said input shafts; one of the two gear means constituted by said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed planetary gear means being connected to said output shaft and to said planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means whereby said output shaft is capable of connection to said sun gear input means through either of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means and a continuous drive coupling is effected between said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means; a hydrostatic drive unit comprising a driving member mechanically connected to said power input means and a rotatable driven member connected to said input quill shaft and including means for infinitely varying the rotational speed of said driven member between first and second maximum speeds which are of opposite rotational sense with respect to each other and of maximum sense with respect to the rotational speed of said driving member; brake means for selectively braking said third-element gear means of said low speed planetary gear means to prevent rotation thereof and establish low speed drive; and clutch means for selectively coupling said power input means to the other of said two gear means of the high speed planetary gear means through said inner input shaft to establish high speed drive; and the gear ratios of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means being such that as the speed of said output shaft is increasing in low speed range and said driven member of the hydrostatic unit attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously engaged while said brake means is disengaged under substantially no load, and as the speed of said output shaft is decreasing in high speed range and said driven member attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously disengaged while said brake means is engaged under substantially no load, wherein said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means is connected to said output shaft and to the planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed planetary gear means is selectively coupled to said inner shaft by said clutch means, including control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 33

A power transmission for use with power input means for imparting rotary drive to the transmission, comprising in combination: an input quill shaft and an inner shaft coaxial therewithin in which said inner shaft projects beyond said quill shaft at either end thereof; low speed planetary gear means and high speed planetary gear means each centered about said input shafts and including sun gear input means connected to said quill shaft for continuously imparting one input path to both of said planetary gear means; said low speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the said third-element gear means and said high speed planetary gear means also including third-element gear means and planet gear means for reacting between said sun gear input means and the third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means; an output shaft aligned with but disposed beyond said input shafts; one of the two gear means constituted by said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed planetary gear means being connected to said output shaft and to said planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means whereby said output shaft is capable of connection to said sun gear input means through either of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means and a continuous drive coupling is effected between said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means; a hydrostatic drive unit comprising a driving member mechanically connected to said power input means and a rotatable driven member connected to said input quill shaft and including means for infinitely varying the rotational speed of said driven member between first and second maximum speeds which are of opposite rotational sense with respect to each other and of maximum sense with respect to the rotational speed of said driving member; brake means for selectively braking said third-element gear means of said low speed planetary gear means to prevent rotation thereof and establish low speed drive; and clutch means for selectively coupling said power input means to the other of said two gear means of the high speed planetary gear means through said inner input shaft to establish high speed drive; and the gear ratios of said low speed and said high speed planetary gear means being such that as the speed of said output shaft is increasing in low speed range and said driven member of the hydrostatic unit attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously engaged while said brake means is disengaged under substantially no load, and as the speed of said output shaft is decreasing in high speed range and said driven member attains said first maximum speed, said clutch means may be synchronously disengaged while said brake means is engaged under substantially no load, wherein said third-element gear means of said high speed planetary gear means is connected to said output shaft and to the planet gear means of said low speed planetary gear means and said planet gear means of said high speed planetary gear means is selectively coupled to said inner shaft by said clutch means, including control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means under synchronous conditions while respectively disengaging and engaging said brake means.

Claim 34

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission comprising in combination: an input shaft adapted to be driven in fixed speed ratio with respect to an associated prime mover; a hydrostatic pump fixed to said input shaft and including movable swash plate means for selectively varying the displacement of said pump, said input shaft having an input section leading to said pump and a further section leading from said pump; a quill shaft surrounding said further section of the input shaft and exposing an end portion thereof beyond said quill shaft; a hydrostatic motor fixed to said quill shaft receiving fluid displaced by said pump for rotating said quill shaft to a first maximum rotational speed in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said input shaft and then to a second maximum rotational speed in a direction the same as the rotation of said input shaft; a pair of sun gears fixed to said quill shaft in axially spaced relation thereon so that one sun gear is closest to said motor and the other is more remote from said motor; a low speed planetary ring gear concentric with said one sun gear and a high speed planetary ring gear concentric with said other sun gear; low speed planet gear means reacting between said one sun gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, said low speed planetary gear means comprising an inner planet gear in mesh with said one sun gear and an outer planet gear in mesh both with said inner planet gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, and a planet gear carrier rotatably supporting inner and outer planet gears; high speed planet gear means reacting between said other sun gear and said high speed planetary ring gear, said high speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing with both said other sun gear and said high speed planetary ring gear, and said planet gear of the high speed planet gear means being rotatably carried by said planet gear carrier of the low speed planet gear means whereby the low speed and high speed planet gear means are directly connected through such planet gear carrier; clutch means selectively coupling said high speed planetary ring gear to said end portion of the input shaft exposed beyond said quill shaft; brake means selectively braking said low speed planetary ring gear; an output shaft coaxial with said input and quill shafts but disposed in spaced relation to said end portion of the input shaft; said planet gear carrier enclosing the high speed planetary gear set formed by said other sun gear, said high speed planetary ring gear and said high speed planet gear means and being directly connected to said output shaft; and control means connected to said brake means and to said clutch means for actuating said clutch means while releasing said brake means, and vice versa, under synchronous conditions of the transmission.

Claim 35

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission comprising in combination: an input shaft adapted to be driven in fixed speed ratio with respect to an associated prime mover; a hydrostatic pump fixed to said input shaft and including movable swash plate means for selectively varying the displacement of said pump, said input shaft having an input section leading to said pump and a further section leading from said pump; a quill shaft surrounding said further section of the input shaft and exposing an end portion thereof beyond said quill shaft; a hydrostatic motor fixed to said quill shaft receiving fluid displaced by said pump for rotating said quill shaft to a first maximum rotational speed in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said input shaft and then to a second maximum rotational speed in a direction the same as the rotation of said input shaft; a pair of sun gears fixed to said quill shaft in axially spaced relation thereon so that one sun gear is closest to said motor and the other is more remote from said motor; a low speed planetary ring gear concentric with said one sun gear and a high speed planetary ring gear concentric with said other sun gear; low speed planet gear means reacting between said one sun gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, said low speed planetary gear means comprising an inner planet gear in mesh with said one sun gear and an outer planet gear in mesh both with said inner planet gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, and a planet gear carrier rotatably supporting inner and outer planet gears; high speed planet gear means reacting between said other sun gear and said high speed planetary ring gear, said high speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing with both said other sun gear and said high speed planetary ring gear, and said planet gear of the high speed planet gear means being rotatably carried by said planet gear carrier of the low speed planet gear means whereby the low speed and high speed planet gear means are directly connected through such planet gear carrier; clutch means selectively coupling said high speed planetary ring gear to said end portion of the input shaft exposed beyond said quill shaft; brake means selectively braking said low speed planetary ring gear; an output shaft coaxial with said input and quill shafts but disposed in spaced relation to said end portion of the input shaft; said planet gear carrier enclosing the high speed planetary gear set formed by said other sun gear, said high speed planetary ring gear and said high speed planet gear means and being directly connected to said output shaft; and control means connected to said brake means and to said clutch means for actuating said clutch means while releasing said brake means, and vice versa, under synchronous conditions of the transmission.

Claim 36

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission comprising, in combination: an input shaft adapted to be driven in fixed speed ratio with respect to an associated prime mover; a hydrostatic pump fixed to said input shaft and including movable swash plate means for selectively varying the displacement of said pump, said input shaft having an input section leading to said pump and a further section leading from said pump; a quill shaft surrounding said further section of the input shaft and exposing an end portion thereof beyond said quill shaft; a hydrostatic motor fixed to said quill shaft receiving fluid displaced by said pump for rotating said quill shaft to a first maximum rotational speed in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said input shaft and then to a second maximum rotational speed in a direction the same as the rotation of said input shaft; a low speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft and including a low speed planetary ring gear and low speed planet gear means in mesh with said low speed planetary ring gear; a high speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft to that side of said low speed planetary gear set opposite said pump and including a high speed planetary ring and high speed planet gear means in mesh with said high speed planetary ring gear; an output shaft coaxial with said input and quill shafts but disposed in spaced relation to said end portion of the input shaft which is exposed beyond said quill shaft; a low speed planet gear carrier enclosing said high speed planetary gear set and connected directly to said output shaft, said low speed planet gear means being rotatably carried by said low speed planet gear carrier and one of said high speed planet gear means and said high speed planetary ring gear being carried by said low speed planet gear carrier; clutch means selectively coupling said end portion of the input shaft to that one of said high speed planet gear means and said high speed planetary ring gear which is not carried by said low speed planet gear carrier; brake means selectively braking said low speed planetary ring gear; sun gear means connected to said quill shaft for rotating said planet gear carrier through at least one of said low speed and high speed planet gear means; and control means connected to said brake means and to said clutch means for actuating said clutch means while releasing said brake means, and vice versa, under synchronous conditions of the transmission.

Claim 37

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission comprising, in combination: an input shaft adapted to be driven in fixed speed ratio with respect to an associated prime mover; a hydrostatic pump fixed to said input shaft and including movable swash plate means for selectively varying the displacement of said pump, said input shaft having an input section leading to said pump and a further section leading from said pump; a quill shaft surrounding said further section of the input shaft and exposing an end portion thereof beyond said quill shaft; a hydrostatic motor fixed to said quill shaft receiving fluid displaced by said pump for rotating said quill shaft to a first maximum rotational speed in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said input shaft and then to a second maximum rotational speed in a direction the same as the rotation of said input shaft; a low speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft and including a low speed planetary ring gear and low speed planet gear means in mesh with said low speed planetary ring gear; a high speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft to that side of said low speed planetary gear set opposite said pump and including a high speed planetary ring and high speed planet gear means in mesh with said high speed planetary ring gear; an output shaft coaxial with said input and quill shafts but disposed in spaced relation to said end portion of the input shaft which is exposed beyond said quill shaft; a low speed planet gear carrier enclosing said high speed planetary gear set and connected directly to said output shaft, said low speed planet gear means being rotatably carried by said low speed planet gear carrier and one of said high speed planet gear means and said high speed planetary ring gear being carried by said low speed planet gear carrier; clutch means selectively coupling said end portion of the input shaft to that one of said high speed planet gear means and said high speed planetary ring gear which is not carried by said low speed planet gear carrier; brake means selectively braking said low speed planetary ring gear; sun gear means connected to said quill shaft for rotating said planet gear carrier through at least one of said low speed and high speed planet gear means; and control means connected to said brake means and to said clutch means for actuating said clutch means while releasing said brake means, and vice versa, under synchronous conditions of the transmission.

Claim 38

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission comprising, in combination: a quill shaft and an input shaft coaxial within said quill shaft with said input shaft having an end portion projecting from said quill shaft; a high speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft adjacent that end thereof from which said inner shaft projects; a low speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft to that side of said high speed planetary gear set away from said end portion of the input shaft; said low speed planetary gear set including a low speed planetary ring gear and low speed planet gear means meshing therewith and including a planet gear carrier, and sun gear means for rotatably driving said planet gear carrier; said high speed planetary gear set comprising a high speed planetary ring gear and high speed planet gear means meshing therewith, and said sun gear means meshing with said high speed planet gear means; an output shaft coaxial with said input and quill shafts but disposed in spaced relation to said end portion of the input shaft; said planet gear carrier enclosing said high speed planetary gear set and being connected directly to said output shaft, one of said high speed planetary ring gear and high speed planet gear means being carried by said planet gear carrier; clutch means for selectively coupling said end portion of the input shaft to that one of said high speed planetary ring gear and said high speed planet gear means which is not carried by said planet gear carrier; brake means for selectively braking said low speed planetary ring gear; a hydrostatic pump connected to said input shaft remote from said end portion thereof and adapted to be driven in fixed ratio from a prime mover and including swash plate means for selectively varying the quantity of fluid displaced by said pump; a hydrostatic motor fixed to said quill shaft remote from said end portion of the input shaft and connected to said pump for infinitely variable driven ratio with respect thereto; and control means connected to said brake means and to said clutch means for actuating said clutch means while releasing said brake means, and vice versa, under synchronous conditions of the transmission.

Claim 39

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission comprising, in combination: a quill shaft and an input shaft coaxial within said quill shaft with said input shaft having an end portion projecting from said quill shaft; a high speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft adjacent that end thereof from which said inner shaft projects; a low speed planetary gear set surrounding said quill shaft to that side of said high speed planetary gear set away from said end portion of the input shaft; said low speed planetary gear set including a low speed planetary ring gear and low speed planet gear means meshing therewith and including a planet gear carrier, and sun gear means for rotatably driving said planet gear carrier; said high speed planetary gear set comprising a high speed planetary ring gear and high speed planet gear means meshing therewith, and said sun gear means meshing with said high speed planet gear means; an output shaft coaxial with said input and quill shafts but disposed in spaced relation to said end portion of the input shaft; said planet gear carrier enclosing said high speed planetary gear set and being connected directly to said output shaft, one of said high speed planetary ring gear and high speed planet gear means being carried by said planet gear carrier; clutch means for selectively coupling said end portion of the input shaft to that one of said high speed planetary ring gear and said high speed planet gear means which is not carried by said planet gear carrier; brake means for selectively braking said low speed planetary ring gear; a hydrostatic pump connected to said input shaft remote from said end portion thereof and adapted to be driven in fixed ratio from a prime mover and including swash plate means for selectively varying the quantity of fluid displaced by said pump; a hydrostatic motor fixed to said quill shaft remote from said end portion of the input shaft and connected to said pump for infinitely variable driven ratio with respect thereto; and control means connected to said brake means and to said clutch means for actuating said clutch means while releasing said brake means, and vice versa, under synchronous conditions of the transmission.

Claim 40

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 27 wherein said sun gear input means comprises a pair of sun gears fixed to said quill shaft, said low speed planet gear means comprising an inner planet gear meshing with one of said pair of sun gears and an outer planet gear meshing both with said inner planet gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, and said high speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing both with the other of said pair of sun gears and said high speed planetary ring gear, said high speed planet gear means being carried by said planet gear carrier.

Claim 41

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 27 wherein said high speed planet gear means comprises a first planet gear meshing with said high speed planetary ring gear and a second planet gear meshing with said first planet gear, said sun gear means comprising a single sun gearmeshing with said first planet gear and said low speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing with said low speed planetary ring gear and rotating in unison with said second planet gear of the high speed planet gear means.

Claim 42

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 27 wherein each of said low speed and said high speed planet gear means comprises an inner planet gear and an outer planet gear in mesh therewith, said sun gear means comprises a pair of sun gears meshing with the inner planet gears of said low speed and high speed planet gear means, and said clutch means selectively couples said end portion of the input shaft to the inner planet gear of said high speed planet gear means.

Claim 43

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 28 wherein said sun gear input means comprises a pair of sun gears fixed to said quill shaft, said low speed planet gear means comprising an inner planet gear meshing with one of said pair of sun gears and an outer planet gear meshing both with said inner planet gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, and said high speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing both with the other of said pair of sun gears and said high speed planetary ring gear, said high speed planet gear means being carried by said planet gear carrier.

Claim 44

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 28 wherein said sun gear means comprises a first sun gear meshing with said low speed planet gear means and a second sun gear meshing with said high speed planet gear means, said low speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing both with said first sun gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, said high speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing both with said second sun gear and said high speed planetary ring gear, and said planet gear carrier carrying said high speed planetary ring gear.

Claim 45

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 27 wherein said sun gear means comprises a first sun gear meshing with said low speed planet gear means and a second sun gear meshing with said high speed planet gear means, said low speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing both with said first sun gear and said low speed planetary ring gear, said high speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing both with said second sun gear and said high speed planetary ring gear, and said planet gear carrier carrying said high speed planetary ring gear.

Claim 46

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 28 wherein said high speed planet gear means comprises a first planet gear meshing with said high speed planetary ring gear and a second planet gear meshing with said first planet gear, said sun gear means comprising a single sun gear meshing with said first planet gear and said low speed planet gear means comprising a planet gear meshing with said low speed planetary ring gear and rotating in unison with said second planet gear of the high speed planet gear means.

Claim 47

A synchronously shiftable, extended range transmission as defined in claim 28 wherein each of said low speed and said high speed planet gear means comprises an inner planet gear and an outer planet gear in mesh therewith, said sun gear means comprises a pair of sun gears meshing with the inner planet gears of said low speed and high speed planet gear means, and said clutch means selectively couples said end portion of the input shaft to the inner planet gear of said high speed planet gear means.