Patent ID: 6877593

Claim:
A transmission apparatus configured to transmit energy from a power source to a work device, the transmission apparatus comprising an outer housing defining an interior region containing a fluid, an input shaft configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation and adapted to be coupled to the power source to receive energy therefrom, an output shaft configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation and adapted to be coupled to the work device to transmit energy thereto, a first pump positioned in the interior region of the outer housing, the first pump being coupled to rotate with the input shaft to input a first portion of the energy from the power source into the fluid contained in the interior region of the outer housing, a first turbine positioned in the interior region of the outer housing, the first turbine being positioned to receive energy from the fluid contained in the interior region of the outer housing and to transmit said received energy to the output shaft, a second pump positioned in the interior region of the outer housing in a position spaced apart from the first pump, the second pump being coupled to rotate with the input shaft to input a second portion of the energy from the power source into the fluid contained in the interior region of the outer housing, the first turbine being positioned between the first and second pumps, a second turbine positioned in the interior region of the outer housing in a position spaced apart from the first turbine, the second turbine being positioned to receive energy from the fluid contained in the interior region of the outer housing and to transmit said received energy to the output shaft, the second pump being positioned between the first and second turbines, and a centrifugal clutch configured to transfer energy from the input shaft to the output shaft.