Patent ID: 6015019
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: B60K,B62D

Abstract:
In a vehicle of the type having a cab for an operator of the vehicle; a vehicle engine; a vehicle transmission connected to the vehicle driveline; a vehicle steering system with components including steering column and steerable wheels; a vehicle air brake system; and a power take-off engageable with the transmission, the improvement comprising,a hydraulic pump powered by the vehicle power takeoff,an auxiliary drive assembly offset from the ends of said driveline for powering the driveline during remote operation of the vehicle and including a fixed displacement bi-directional hydraulic motor with inlet and outlet ports driven by said pump and having an output shaft, a brake engageable with the motor output shaft, a gear reduction unit driven by said output shaft, a clutch including plate members one of said members connected to the driveline, power transmission means coupling said gear reduction unit with said clutch,a control circuit for said hydraulic motor and including a first directional valve, a counterbalance valve of the auxiliary drive assembly including piloted counterbalancing valves jointly served by said first directional valve, a torque relief valve in communciation with the inlet and outlet ports of said motor and openable to equalize fluid pressure between said ports to dissipate torque from said motor output shaft, a brake release valve in communciation with said brake of the auxiliary drive assembly, said first directional valve of the solenoid type and proportionally responsive to control signals,a vehicle operator's station remote from the vehicle cab,an auxiliary steering system for rotation of the vehicle steering column and served by said hydraulic pump and including a second directional valve and having an output shaft, a clutch engageable with said output shaft and power transmission means coupling said clutch with the vehicle steering column, said second directional valve being of the proportional type, andcontrol means located at the operator's station for transmitting signals to said first and second directional valves for regulating flows from said valves in proportion to the signals received to control the speed and direction of the vehicle.