|
Industrial transmission
| Details |
Inventors: Beam, III, Dennis A.; Hamrick, James L.; Hamrick, Hallam D.; Reynolds, Lyle W.;
Assignee:
Primary Examiner: Estremsky; Sherry
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stockton LLP; Kilpatrick, Calkins; Charles W., Bindseil; James J.
A transmission including a torque converter to transfer power from a driving engine to a driven device through a series of fluidly-activated clutches, particularly for use with industrial applications. By using a self-contained fluid system to engage the clutch at the idle speed of the driving engine, the transmission is provided with a positive neutral feature. The transmission is adaptable to all industrial engine housings. Additional optional features of the transmission include an auxiliary drive, a reverse and single or additional forward gears, and a fluid cooler. The transmission further includes a transmission output shaft supported by a bearing assembly that may be designed for side loading. The transmission provides the benefits of increased performance in torque demanding applications, self-lubricating features that eliminate grease fittings, load dampening, an auxiliary drive, and a throttle/clutch engagement system that eliminates clutch damage caused by improper high speed engagement. |
|
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG.
1, one embodiment of a transmission system 10 for use in industrial applications includes a driving engine 12 having a flywheel 14 and an engine output shaft 16 that is connected to a torque input end 18a of a shaft 18 forming part of a torque converter 20 of a transmission 22.
Extending from the transmission 22 is transmission output shaft 24, which drives a driven device 26, such as a wood chipper, leaf vacuum or other industrial device.
Preferably, transmission 22 is for stationary applications.
The engine 12 speed and engagement of the transmission 22 is controlled by a variable controller 28, such as a pivoting throttle/clutch lever/cable combination or other similar mechanism.
The variable controller 28 is connected to the driving engine 12 through a first coupler 30, for example a cable, that serves as a throttle control for the engine.
Additionally, the variable controller 28 is connected to the industrial transmission 22 through a second coupler 32, for example a cable or control linkage, that serves as an engagement mechanism for the transmission.
The variable controller 28 has an initial (engine idle) position in which the transmission 22 is not engaged (positive neutral), a first incremental position in which the transmission is engaged, and additional positions in which the engine speed may be accelerated while the transmission is engaged.
The first position of engagement of the transmission 22 is via mechanical movement of a valve within the transmission, which in turn engages a clutch to fluidly couple the torque converter 20 through the transmission to the transmission output shaft 24.
Referring to FIGS.
2 and 3, the transmission 22 includes a transmission housing 34 with a sump 36 providing a chamber for storage of fluid 37 (FIG.
5) and further including a fill opening/dipstick 38 for replenishing and measuring fluid levels.
The transmission 22 also includes the transmission output shaft 24 having a shaft support member 40, such as thrust or side load ball bearings
|
|
Exercise Devices 
