GB941652A - Variable-speed transmission with a hydrodynamic torque converter, especially for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

941,652. Hydro-mechanical variable speed gear; ratchet clutches; hydraulic torque converters. FORD MOTOR CO. Ltd. April 19, 1960 [April 17, 1959], No. 13690/60. Headings F2C and F2D. In a series arrangement of hydrodynamic torque converter and planet gear for motor vehicles comprising a carrier 20 which is connected to a turbine 14 and has interengaging planets respectively meshing a sun 19 connected to a reactor 15 through a one-way device 16, and an output ring 29 connected to an output shaft 31<1>, for towed-vehicle engine-starting centrifugal pawls 53 pivoted on the inside of the core of an input impeller 13 are, when the impeller is stationary or slowly rotating, engageable with ratchet teeth 58, 56 respectively on the turbine 14 and the reactor 15. In Low, an hydraulically actuated friction brake 37 stations the sun 19 and, through the one way device 16, the reactor 15, whereupon the turbine drives the carrier 20 and hence the output ring 29 at reduced speed. In Direct, an hydraulically actuated friction clutch 30 connects the output shaft 31<1> directly to input. In Reverse, an hydraulically actuated friction brake 24 holds the carrier 20 and the turbine 14 whereupon the turbine acts as a reaction member and the reversely rotated reactor 15 reversely drives the output ring 29 through the interengaging planets. In Neutral, the clutch and brakes are disengaged. Pivots 51 for the pawls 53 are formed by an endless steel wire inserted in grooves in the impeller or by an endless chain of individual cylindrical links. When towing the vehicle to start the engine the turbine is driven and its ratchet teeth engage and drive the impeller pawls 53 which, in turn, are engaged by the reactor ratchet teeth 56, the latter being arranged radially lower than those 58 of the turbine. The teeth 58 have sloping backs 60 acting as cams so that when the turbine is overrun by the impeller the backs 60 cam the pawls out of engagement with the reactor teeth 56. When the vehicle is stationary, whilst some of the pawls gravitate outwardly some, at least, fall inwardly for engagement with the teeth 56, 58. The impeller housing is provided with transmission cooling vanes 12. The ring 29 may be integral with or, as shown, gear-coupled to a flange connected to the output shaft 31<1>. The friction clutch and brakes are dry and may be of the plate or, as shown, friction-lined cone type.