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US 6,775,976 B1Granted
Zero-turn hydrostatic transaxle
AssigneeHydro-Gear Limited Partnership
InventorsEric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski, Patricia J. Given, William H. Ward, Lonnie E. Holder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pair of substantially mirror image, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxles (HZTs) that may be joined to form an integrated, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle. The control arm and brake mechanism associated with the HZTs can be mounted on either the inboard or outboard side of the HZT casing. In one embodiment, an integrated, inboard brake mechanism is provided for the joined HZTs.
Claims41
An integrated, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle, comprising:
- a first casing carrying a first hydraulic pump driven by a first input shaft and a first hydraulic motor drivingly linked to a first axle shaft, the first hydraulic pump being in fluid communication with the first hydraulic motor to transfer a motive force received via the first input shaft to the first hydraulic motor to drive the first axle shaft;
- a second casing carrying a second hydraulic pump driven by a second input shaft and a second hydraulic motor drivingly linked to a second axle shaft, the second hydraulic pump being in fluid communication with the second hydraulic motor to transfer a motive force received via the second input shaft to the second hydraulic motor to drive the second axle shaft;
- wherein the first casing has a plurality of first bosses and the second casing has a plurality of second bosses each adapted to engage a corresponding one of the plurality of first bosses when the first casing is fastened to the second casing, each of the first and second bosses having an opening for accepting a fastener used to fasten the first casing to the second casing;
- wherein the first casing has a first flat surface and the second casing has a second flat surface adapted to engage the first flat surface when the first casing is fastened to the second casing;
- and
- and wherein the bosses and the flat surfaces are arranged to extend outward from their respective casings to create an area of space between the first casing and the second casing when the first casing is fastened to the second casing.
3 more elements
An integrated, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle, comprising:
- a first zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle having a first casing in which is carried a first hydraulic pump driven by a first input shaft and a first hydraulic motor having a first motor shaft drivingly linked to a first axle shaft, the first hydraulic pump being in fluid communication with the first hydraulic motor to transfer a motive force received via the first input shaft to the first hydraulic motor and the first motor shaft to drive the first axle shaft;
- and
- a second zero-turn, transaxle having a second casing that is attached to the first casing, the second casing carrying a second hydraulic pump driven by a second input shaft and a second hydraulic motor having a second motor shaft drivingly linked to a second axle shaft, the second hydraulic pump being in fluid communication with the second hydraulic motor to transfer a motive force received via the second input shaft to the second hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor shaft to drive the second axle shaft;
- wherein the first motor shaft extends from the first casing towards the second casing, the second motor shaft extends from the second casing towards the first casing, and a brake mechanism is attached to the first motor shaft and the second motor shaft.
1 more element
An integrated, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle, comprising:
- a first zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle and a second, zero-turn hydrostatic transaxle, wherein the first zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle is a substantial mirror image of the second zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle and the first and second zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxles are adapted to be fastened to one another and each has a casing in which is carried a hydraulic pump driven by an input shaft and a hydraulic motor having a motor shaft drivingly linked to an axle shaft, the hydraulic pump being in fluid communication with the hydraulic motor to transfer a motive force received via the input shaft to the hydraulic motor and the motor shaft to drive the axle shaft;
- and
- wherein the motor shaft extends from the casing to allow a brake mechanism to be attached to either the inboard or outboard side of the casing.
An integrated, zero-turn, hydrostatic transaxle, comprising:
- a first casing section having a first cavity in which is disposed a first hydraulic pump driven by a first input shaft and a first hydraulic motor drivingly linked to a first axle shaft, the first hydraulic pump being in fluid communication with the first hydraulic motor to transfer a motive force received via the first input shaft to the first hydraulic motor to drive the first axle shaft;
- a second casing section having a second cavity in which is disposed a second hydraulic pump driven by a second input shaft and a second hydraulic motor drivingly linked to a second axle shaft, the second hydraulic pump being in fluid communication with the second hydraulic motor to transfer a motive force received via the second input shaft to the second hydraulic motor to drive the second axle shaft;
- and
- a third casing section adapted to substantially cover the first cavity and the second cavity when the first casing section is joined with the second casing section.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.