Multiple-speed winch or drum drive
AssigneePACCAR of Canada Ltd.
InventorLeslie J. Sell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transmission suitable for use in a winch, wire line drum, or other vertical hoisting device is provided with independently actuatable disc clutches for actuating various planetary gear sets to vary the speed through at least three speed ranges. The gear sets and clutches are immersed in oil, and control means are provided to energize the clutches always in sets of two so that only one disc clutch remains disengaged to minimize the viscous drag of the disengaged clutch in the oil. The planetary sets and clutches form the transmission between an input shaft and an output drive assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a final multiple-speed drive assembly is provided to increase the three-speed ratios to six-speed ratios to obtain a wide speed range.
Claims5
A multiple-speed transmission for winches, hoisting drums and the like, comprising:
- a housing,
- an input shaft rotatably supported in said housing,
- means for rotating said input shaft,
- an output drive assembly rotatably supported in said housing,
- first and second planetary drive assemblies in said housing for selectively transmitting power at three speeds in the same direction from three gear ratios between said input shaft and said output drive assembly, said planetary drive assemblies including first, second and third separate, independently actuatable friction coupling assemblies, each having friction members decoupling when spaced and coupling when pressed together,
- an oil supply for lubricating said friction coupling assemblies and causing viscous drag on said spaced friction members, and
- control means for selectively simultaneously disengaging no more than one of said friction coupling assemblies in any gear ratio for reducing friction power losses from said transmission.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.