초록 ▼

A gearless transmission providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to torque motors for driving a vehicle. A hydraulic pump is driven by a turbine engine shaft to provide fluid to accumulators and then to the transmission device. Fluid is selectively admitted into the transmission by the vehicle accelera

A gearless transmission providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to torque motors for driving a vehicle. A hydraulic pump is driven by a turbine engine shaft to provide fluid to accumulators and then to the transmission device. Fluid is selectively admitted into the transmission by the vehicle accelerator pedal. Thereafter the fluid flow may be restricted through fluid circuitry having orifices which provide variable torque output. The circuitry is controlled by a shifter selector with pilot lines to actuate fluid control valves between two control positions. Especially important for turbine-powered vehicles, the transmission provides a braking function when the accelerator pedal is released in either the low or second control range of operation. Means for providing a reverse mode of operation is also disclosed. A hydraulic differential is also provided and is controlled by the steering mechanism to restrict flow to one of the torque motors during a turn. A hydraulic positive traction device is also provided and substantially reduces flow to a torque motor when a wheel is spinning such as in snow or loose gravel. A hydraulic pilot line valve is also provided to direct pressurized fluid for movement of spool valves in a hydraulic circuit line.

대표청구항 ▼

In a vehicle having an engine with an output shaft, an accelerator to control said engine, and at least one driven wheel, a hydraulic device for selectively varying the torque output from the output shaft of said engine to said driven wheel, said device comprising: a hydraulic fluid reservoir; a tor

In a vehicle having an engine with an output shaft, an accelerator to control said engine, and at least one driven wheel, a hydraulic device for selectively varying the torque output from the output shaft of said engine to said driven wheel, said device comprising: a hydraulic fluid reservoir; a torque motor operatively connected to said at least one driven wheel; a hydraulic pump driven by said output shaft and drawing fluid from said reservoir to provide fluid at high pressure; and fluid circuit means fluidly communicating said fluid at high pressure from said pump to said torque motor and returning to said reservoir to drive said at least one driven wheel and return, said circuit means having: means positively controlled by said accelerator for selectively admitting fluid at high pressure from said pump to said torque motor, first means for varying the flow rate of said fluid between said torque motor and said admitting means thereby changing the torque applied to said driven wheel; means for recirculating fluid to said torque motor without returning to said reservoir when fluid is not selectively admitted to said circuit means; and means disposed in said recirculating means for selectively restricting the flow of fluid recirculating to said torque motor.