Patent GB-1447324-A (GB)
Title: Transmission assemblies
IPC: F16H61/14
Filed: 1974-06-25
Abstract: 1447324 Change-speed control CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO 25 June 1974 [25 June 1973] 28174/74 Heading F2D A transmission assembly for an earth moving truck comprises a stepped-ratio transmission 14 driven through a torque converter 18 having a fluid-pressure-engaged lock-up clutch 30 controlled by a control valve assembly 58, having a valve spool 100 for pressurising the clutch engaging line 136 from a regulated supply 138 or exhausing it at 132, and conditioning means comprising a piston 72 to communicate a speedresponsive fluid pressure signal 56 from an output-driven govenor 52 to act on the valve spool 100 when any one of a number of higher speed ratios 2 ... 7 is established in the stepped transmission, the valve spool 100 being then responsive to the speed signal 56 for engaging and disengaging the lock-up clutch 30 in the lowest of said ratios 2 ... 7 and maintaining engagement in the rest of said ratios. In the lowest ratio 1, neutral and reverse, the conditioning piston 72 cuts off the speed signal 56 and thus prevents engagement of the lock-up clutch. The lock-up clutch, if engaged, is disengaged during gear shift. Transmission type.-The stepped transmission 14 provides seven forward ratios, neutral and one reverse by engagement of pairs of clutches 1 ... 7 selected by valves 38, 40 according to the table, Fig. 4, not shown. First and reverse use clutch 1 with 6 or 7 respectively, whilst all the other ratios two to seven use either clutch 2 or 3 as one of the selected pair. Control valve 58.-The exhausting of both clutches 2, 3 in first and reverse permits the conditioning piston 72 to be spring loaded to a left position, shown, in which the valve spool 100 blocks the govenor line 56 and occupies the left position shown, exhausting the lock-up clutch line 136 at 132. Engagement of any one of the higher ratios two to seven pressurises the clutch 2 or 3, and thence through a shuttle valve 90, a line 92, 94, which shifts the piston 72 right against a fixed shoulder 80, in opposition to a spring 78, thereby conditioning the lock-up clutch 30 for engagement by taking along the valve spool 100 rightward to an intermediate position at 0.2 inch travel, Fig. 3, which uncovers a radial pert 88 permitting govenor pressure 56 to act in a previously exhausted chamber 86 on a piston 84, abutting the valve spool 100. Increase in governor pressure 56, beyond point 146, Fig. 3, now acts to shift the spool 100 further right to pressurise the clutch line 136 from supply 138, in opposition to a spring 114 and governor pressure 56, communicating through a restrictor 116 and radial port 112, with a reaction chamber 108, which houses a reaction piston 106, so that clutch engaging pressure 136 rises uniformly with governor pressure until spool travel reaches a point 148 where the reaction chamber 108 is exhausted at 122, and the spool 100, opposed only by the spring 114, makes a further snap movement to a point 150 without increase in governor pressure. Further increase in governor pressure 56 then shifts the spool 100 firstly right against the end cover at point 152. Reduction of pressure for clutch disengagement with decreasing governor pressure 56 follows the hysteresis line 154, 156. Fig. 6, not shown, shows the clutch engaging pressure against time. The clutch-controlling selector valves 38, 40 have a modulating action, (Fig. 6, not shown) reducing pressure to zero at each shift, so that the control valve 58 returns to the exhaust position shown, disengaging the lock-up clutch 30 and controlling its subsequent engagement rate as above described.