Modular transmission assembly
AssigneeHydro-Gear Limited Partnership
InventorsMichael L. Bennett, Michael W. Taylor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular transmission assembly is disclosed, including a bracket having separate, integrally formed pump and motor mounting areas disposed generally perpendicular to one another, a pump assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the pump mounting area, the pump assembly having an end cap secured to a pump housing and having at least two system ports on one side of the end cap, a motor assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the motor mounting area, the motor assembly having a front housing with at least two motor system ports and an output shaft and at least two hoses connecting the pump system ports to the motor system parts to form a hydraulic circuit.
Claims17
A modular transmission assembly, comprising:
- a bracket separably attachable to a vehicle frame, the bracket comprising a single pump mounting area, a first peripheral wall extending upwardly from and surrounding the pump mounting area, a single motor mounting area, and a second peripheral wall extending outwardly from the motor mounting area, wherein the motor mounting area is integrally formed with and generally perpendicular and adjacent to the pump mounting area;
- a single pump assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the pump mounting area, the pump assembly comprising an end cap secured to a pump housing and having at least two pump system ports on one side of the end cap;
- a single motor assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the motor mounting area, the motor assembly comprising a front housing disposed on a first side of the motor mounting area and comprising at least two motor system ports and an output shaft, and wherein a portion of the motor assembly extends through and is surrounded by the second peripheral wall on a second side of the motor mounting area that is opposite of the first side;
- and
- at least two hoses, each hose connecting one of the pump system ports to one of the motor system ports, to form a hydraulic circuit.
A modular transmission assembly comprising:
- a bracket comprising a pump mounting area and a motor mounting area, wherein the motor mounting area is formed generally perpendicular to the pump mounting area;
- a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bracket and surrounding the pump mounting area;
- an pump assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the pump mounting area, the pump assembly comprising a pump housing having at least two pump system ports open to an external surface thereof and a pump input shaft extending into the pump housing;
- a motor assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the motor mounting area, the motor assembly comprising a motor housing comprising at least two motor system ports open to the external surface thereof and a motor output shaft;
- at least two hoses connecting the pump assembly to the motor assembly, the at least two hoses connected to both the first and second internal porting to from a hydraulic circuit;
- and
- a return to neutral assembly engaged to the pump assembly, wherein a first portion of the return to neutral assembly is exposed above a top of the peripheral wall and a second portion of the return to neutral assembly is disposed below the top of the peripheral wall.
A vehicle comprising a frame, a prime mover disposed on the frame, and at least two modular transmission assemblies separately disposed on the frame, each modular transmission assembly comprising:
- a bracket comprising a single pump mounting area, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bracket and surrounding the pump mounting area, and a single motor mounting area, wherein the motor mounting area is integrally formed with and generally perpendicular to the pump mounting area;
- a single pump assembly comprising a pump housing having at least two pump system ports on one side thereof;
- a single motor assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the motor mounting area, the motor assembly comprising a motor housing having at least two motor system ports and a motor output shaft;
- and
- at least two hoses, each hose connecting one of the pump system ports to one of the motor system ports, to form a hydraulic circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.