Transverse power transmission system

#Not applicable.

#Not applicable.

#Not applicable.

#FIG. 1 is an side view of a transverse power takeoff or output shaft in relation to a crankshaft.

#FIG. 2 is a elevation view of a transverse power takeoff exiting both side of an engine block.

#FIG. 3 is a elevation view of a transverse power takeoff exiting one side of an engine block driving a set of front wheels.

#Referring first to FIG. 1, which illustrates power shaft 1 with a powering means PM here represented by a plurality of pistons P intended to operate within internal combustion chambers. At substantially the center of power shafts, is the shaft gearing means 2a, in this embodiment a worm gear. The transverse relationship between the powershaft 1 and the transverse shaft 3 is seen in the cross-section of transverse shaft 3. Transverse shaft 3 contains a gear, in this embodiment transverse shaft worm gear 4 is illustrated. Transverse shaft worm gear 4 intermeshes with powershaft worm gear 2 thus transmitting power between powershaft 1 and transverse shaft 3. Turning now to FIG. 2, powershaft 1 is also illustrated, this time within a transversely mounted engine block 9. Transverse shaft 3 is illustrated at right angles to the long axis of powershaft 1. Transverse shaft worm gear 4 of transverse shaft 3 is further illustrated. The transverse shaft 3 is supported by first bearing 5 and second bearing 5A at the points the transverse shaft 3 exists the engine block first wall 9a and engine block second wall 9b. This embodiment illustrates the first power take off end 8a of transverse shaft 3 entering first transmission 10a forward of the engine. Transverse shaft 3 is further supported by transmission wall bearing 7 in the wall of first transmission 10a opposite first bearing 5. The shaft is then acted on by the first transmission 10a, and the first power take offend 8a of transverse shaft 3 enters differential 12. The drive train is then split bifurcated exiting differential 12 and entering U-joints U and U′ then on to the wheels W and wheels W′. In this embodiment the second power take off end 8b of transverse shaft 3 also exits the engine rearward supported by second bearing 5A and is also acted on by second transmission 10b and continues, to a rear differential where the power is then transmitted to the wheels in a fashion similar to that seen forward of the transmission.

#An alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3 where it is seen that transverse shaft 3 enters only first transmission 10a and the power train is then bifurcated with the power train then preceding to first laterally differential 17a and second lateral differential 17b and then on to the wheels W and W′.

#FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a power train orientation in which the transverse shaft 3 exits the rear of a front mounted engine, is acted upon by only second transmission 10b and then enters a rear differential 13. This configuration will find application in rear wheel drive vehicles. FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment of an engine mounted to one side of the longitudinal centerline of a vehicle. The transverse shaft 3 then exits the engine supported by first bearing 5 and second bearing 5a. The shaft is acted upon by side mounted transmission 10e which altars the power train direction, in this case 90 degrees, exiting below the transmission 10e through bearing 5c. The power train then exits the side mounted transmission 10e, enters lower differential 18, then is bifurcated whereupon it enters U-joint U and U′ and to wheels W and W′. FIG. 6 illustrates a longitudinally oriented engine block E and transmission T with the transverse shaft 3 being contained within gearbox 19. Here transverse shaft 3 is supported within gear box 19 by first gear box bearing 5b and second gear box bearing 5c. As shaft gearing means 2a transfers power from the power shaft 7 to transverse shaft 3 through intermeshing transverse shaft worm gear 4 and power shaft worm gear 2. Here a second gearing means 2b is utilized to alter the power train 90 degrees using a second transverse shaft worm gear 4a entermeshing with a cross shaft worm gear 4b mounted on a cross shaft 20. The cross shaft then transmitts power to front differential 21 and rear differential 22.