GB642205A - Constant mesh transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

642,205. Variable-speed gearing. LETOURNEAU, Inc., R. G. March 15, 1948, No. 7789. Convention date, March 18, 1947. [Class 80(ii)] A variable-speed gearing comprises gears 22-25 fixed on layshafts 3-6 and in constant mesh with gears 26, 28 on a driven shaft 29, the layshafts extending into tubular shafts 8-11 to which they are adapted to be connected separately by fluid-actuated plate clutches 13- 16 and to which are secured gears 18-21 in constant mesh, a gear 17 on a tubular shaft 7 adapted to be connected to a driving shaft 2 by a fluid-actuated clutch 12 being in mesh with the gear 18. With the clutch 12 engaged, any one of the clutches 13-16 may be selectively engaged to give any one of two forward and two reverse speeds to the shaft 29. To double the number of .speeds. a further layshaft 31 may be provided, having a gear 35 meshing with a gear 34 on shaft 2 and adapted to be connected by a fluidactuated clutch 33 to a tubular shaft 32 carrying a gear 36 meshing with the gear 19. All the gears are disposed within a housing, the end wall 1 of which is shown, while the clutches are disposed outside the housing. Each tubular shaft, such as 11, is mounted in a ball bearing 41 in the wall 1 and the corresponding shaft 6 is journalled in the gear 21 integral with the tubular shaft 11. Each clutch, such as 16, comprises fricion plates 55 and 56 splined respectively on a hub 46 secured to the end of the shaft 6 and in a cylindrical member 48 secured to the end of the shaft 11. The clutch is engaged by supplying pressure fluid through a fitting 68 to the outer face of a diaphragm 61 which is secured by a ring 60 against an end cap 57 adjustably threaded in the cylinder 48 and which acts on the clutch plates through members 63, 66, 67. The clutch is normally disengaged by a spring 64. Ventilating ports 69 are provided in the member 48.