Hydraulic-controlled differential
OwnerArchie O. Williamsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic-controlled differential (10) includes a case (12) defining a central chamber with intermeshed control gear (52-58) different ones of which are drivingly-connected via shaft and gear arrangements (60-66, 88, 90, 94, 98 and 102) through side chambers to opposite output shafts (86). The central and opposite side chambers of the case (12) are interconnected for fluid communication via control valves (113) for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid between the chambers to effect hydraulic modulation during differential drive for more controllability. A second embodiment (150) for lighter-duty applications incorporates two control gears (152, 154).
Claims12
A hydraulic-controlled differential, which comprises:
- a case supported for rotation about a transverse axis, said case defining a central chamber and two opposite side chambers;
- means for effecting rotation of said case;
- a rotatable output shaft extending outwardly from each side chamber of said case along the transverse axis;
- at least two control gears supported for rotation in the central chamber of said case, said control gears and the central chamber of said case defining a gear pump with adjacent gears being intermeshed for rotation in opposite directions;
- means extending between the central chamber and the side chambers of said case for drivingly connecting said control gears with the respective output shaft;
- the side chambers in said case being fluidly connected for fluid level and pressure equalization between the side chambers;
- and
- control valve means connected between each side chamber and the central chamber of said case adjacent intermesh of said control gears for limiting maximum fluid flow rate between the chambers to effect hydraulic modulation during differential drive of said output shafts.
A hydraulic-modulated differential, which comprises:
- a case supported for rotation about a transverse axis, said case defining a central chamber and two opposite side chambers;
- means for effecting rotation of said case;
- a rotatable output shaft extending outwardly from each side chamber of said case along the transverse axis;
- two pairs of control gears supported for rotation in the central chamber of said case, said control gears and the central chamber defining a gear pump with adjacent gears being intermeshed so that diagonally-opposite gears rotate in the same direction;
- means extending between the central chamber and each side chamber of said case for drivingly connecting one diagonal pair of control gears with the respective output shaft;
- the side chambers in said case being fluidly connected with a portion of the central chamber between said control gears for fluid level and presssure equalization between the side chambers;
- and
- control valve means connected between each side chamber and the central chamber of said case adjacent intermesh of said control gears for limiting maximum fluid flow rate between the chambers to effect hydraulic modulation during differential drive of said output shafts.
A hydraulic-modulated differential, which comprises:
- a case supported for rotation about a transverse axis, said case defining a central chamber and two opposite side chambers;
- means for effecting rotation of said case;
- a rotatable output shaft extending outwardly from each side chamber of said case along the transverse axis;
- two control gears supported for rotation in the central chamber of said case, said control gears and the central chamber defining a gear pump with adjacent gears being intermeshed for rotation in opposite directions;
- means extending between the central chamber and side chambers of said case for drivingly connecting each control gear with the respective output shaft;
- the side chambers in said case being fluidly connnected for fluid level and pressure equalization between the side chambers;
- and
- control valve means connected between each side chamber and the central chamber of said case adjacent the points of intermeshing engagement of said control gears for limiting maximum fluid flow rate between the chambers to effect hydraulic modulation during differential drive of said output shafts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.