GB405007A - Improvements in variable-speed transmission mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

405,007. Positive clutches ; variable - speed gearing. KELLER, R. E., 670, East Woodbridge Street, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. July 22, 1932, No. 20710. Convention date, Aug. 22, 1931. [Class 80 (ii).] The radially-sliding locking-elements of a positive clutch for variable - speed gearing are carried by the driven member and move centrifugally against disengaging-springs, being held in the engaged position, as by undercut surfaces, when the speeds of the driving and driven members tend to differ. The locking-elements have also means for preventing engagement except when the clutch members are substantially synchronized. In the layshaft variable-speed gear shown in Fig. 1, the bottomgear pinion 13 and reverse-gear pair 14, 21 are engaged by a sliding wheel 12 and the constantmesh second speed and direct drive are controlled by a clutch sleeve 27, which is splined to the driven shaft 3 and can occupy, in addition to the neutral position shown, three operative positions. In the extreme right-hand non- automatic position, teeth 28 engage simultaneously teeth 22, 23 respectively on the revolubly-mounted wheel 10 and on a ring 24 connected thereto by a free-wheel roller clutch 26, while in the extreme left-hand non-automatic position, teeth 54 engage teeth 56 on an extension of the wheel 8 secured to the driving- shaft 2. The intermediate position, in which the teeth 28 engage the teeth 23 only and the teeth 54 engage teeth 55, brings into action the automatic clutch 1. This clutch, Figs. 2 and 4, comprises a driving-member 30, coupled to the wheel 8 by a free-wheel roller clutch 34, and a driven member 31 provided with the teeth 55 and carrying in pockets 41 spring-retracted centrifugal members 40. The member 31, through the teeth 54, 55 and sleeve 27, turns with the driven shaft 3, which is rotated by the train 8, 9, 11, 10, roller clutch 26, and teeth 23, 28, and when its speed is sufficiently high, the members 40 move outwardly against the springs 45. Engagement of the noses 47 of the members 40 in apertures 53 of the part 30 is, however, resisted by their bevelled faces 48 until, by decelerating the engine, the parts 30, 31, due to overrun of the clutch 26, are caused to run approximately in synchronism. After engagement of the noses 47 in the apertures 53, their automatic withdrawal on slowing down is delayed by the action of the driving- faces of the apertures on bevelled end faces 51 of the noses. Overrun on top gear, which can be cut out by engaging the teeth 54, 56, is permitted by the clutch 34, the bevelled end faces 50 of the noses 47 then resisting retraction of the members 40. The Specification, as open to inspection under Sect. 91, comprises also statements that the members 40 may be carried by the driving- member and that the clutch may be modified for directly connecting coaxial shafts without the parts 8, 27, as described in Specification 400,174. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.