April 27, 1943. w. D.

TIPToN 2,317,498
HYDRODYNAMIC TRANSMISSION
Filed De. 2o, 1941 ' 2 sheets-sheet 1

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April 27, 1943. w. D. TIPToN 2,31 7,498
HYDRODYNAMIC TRANSMISSION
Filed Dec. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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Patented Apr.` 27, 1943 2,317,498

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,317,498 v

HYDRODYNAMIC TRANSMISSION
William D. Tipton, Baltimore, Md.
Application December 20, 1941, Serial No. 423,789
38 Claims. (Cl. 'i4-189.5) '
This application is a continuation-impart of The input structure of the transmission (re
my copending application, Serial No. 359,014, ferring to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive) includes a ily
led September 30, 1940. wheel Illwhich is adapted to be driven by the
This invention pertains to power transmissions engine crankshaft (not shown). The ywheel
of the hydrodynamic type and it relates in par I 0 carries the usual starter gear II and is fas
ticular to improvements in hydrodynamic trans tened by bolts I2 to a housing member I3 which
missions adapted for use in automotive vehicles. partially encloses the hydraulic unit. Housing
It is the principal object of the present inven I3 terminates in a cylindricall portion I4 which
tion to provide an improved form of hydro cooperates with a suitable seal I5 to prevent
dynamic transmission which shall have higher 10 escape of iluid from the hydraulic unit. The por
operating efficiency and better acceleration char tion I4 is connected by means of a dog clutch I6,
acteristics than those of the prior art. to an annular member I1 which,.in turn, isbolted
An additional object is to provide a transmis at I8 to a planet carrier I9.
sion of the aforesaid type which includes two The planet carrier I9 rotatably carries a pinion
stages of torque conversion in addition to direct 15 20 which forms part of a compound planetary
drive in its operating range. gearset. The pinion 20 has two sets of teeth, the
A further object of the invention is to provide forward set 2l meshing with an annulus gear 22
in such a transmission, novel control mechanism and a sun gear 23, and the rear set 24 meshing
operable to provide the torque conversion ratio with an annulus gear 25. .
best suited to the vehicle operating conditions at 20 >The annulus gear 22 is formed integrally with
any particular time, this control mechanism a sleeve 26 which is splined at 21 to a hub 28 to
being operable automatically in response to which is riveted by rivets 29 a vaned impeller or
torque demand on the output shaft. pump wheel 30. The sun gear 23 is connected by
A still further object is to provide a fluid type dog clutch 3| to the sleeve-like extension 32 of a
transmission wherein relatively great torque 25 second vaned impeller 33, the latter being posi
multiplication is obtained with small curvature tioned in series relation relative to the main
vanes thereby making possible the use of pressed impeller 39.
metal varies withresulting economy of manufac Also positioned in series relation with each
ture as well as increased operating eiiiciency. other and with the wheels 30 and 33 are a pair of
A still further object is to provide in a trans 30 vaned hydraulic elements designated 34 and 35
mission of the aforesaid type, a pair of impeller respectively. The wheel 34 is adapted to func
or pump wheels geared together in such manner tion as a runner or turbine wheel and is splined at
that one of the wheels is adapted to act as an 3B to a shaft 31. The latter extends throughout
auxiliary guide or reaction wheel under certain the length of the transmission and is provided
conditions of vehicle operation. 35 with an enlarged annular toothed portion 38
Additional objects and advantages of the in adjacent the rear end which forms the annulus
vention will. become apparent from the following gear 39 of a second compound planetary gearset.
description which refers to the accompanying 'I_'he second or rear gearset includes a pinion 40
drawings, similar reference characters in said which is rotatably carried by a carrier 4I, the
drawings designating corresponding parts in the 40 latter being bolted at 42 to the enlarged hollowed
description. ' y out forward extension 43 of the output or tail
In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal eleva shaft; 44. The latter is adapted to be connected
tional view, partly in section, of my improved to the rear axle of the vehicle for driving the
transmission. same. . -

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the hydraulic circuit 45
during the first stage of torque conversion.
Fig. 3 is a similar diagram showing conditions
during the second stage of torque conversion.
Fig. 4 is a diagram of conditions during direct
drive.
Fig. 5 is a section along line 5-5 of Fig. l.
Fig. 6 is a section along line 6_6 of Fig. 1.
I Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a
modified form of the invention.
~ Fig. 8 is a section along line 8-8of Fig. _7.
The pinion 40 is provided with two sets of
teeth 45 and 50 of respectively diierent pitch
diameters. 'I'he teeth 45, oi' larger diameter,
mesh with the teeth of annulus gear 39 and sun
gear 46 respectively. 'Ihe gear 46 is formed
integrally on the rear end of a sleeve 41 which "
connected by a dog clutch 48 to a sleeve-like hub
member 49 which carries the hydraulic element
35. The teeth 50, of smaller pitch diameter,
mesh with an annulus gear 5I and a. sun gear 62.
B5 The annulus gear 5I is integrally carried by aY
 2 2,317,498
brake drum 53 which is adapted to be rotatively
restrained by a brake band 54 under the control
of brake applying mechanism 55. The sun gear
52 is rotatable on the sleeve 41 and has a for
wardly extending sleeve portion 56 Von which is
formed a plurality of cams (Fig. 6). A set of
overrunning rollers 51 is disposed between the
portion 56 and the cylindrical surface of a brake
drum 58 which is adapted for engagement by the
brake band'59 under control of brake applying l0 shaft 44 results in a falling >oi of the reaction
mechanism 6U. Whenthe band 59 is set, rollers
51 prevent reverse rotation of sun gear 52 while.
permitting free forward rotation thereof.
The annulus gear 25 which meshes with the
rear teeth of the pinion 2_0 has an integral hub
6l formed with cam surfaces 6| which form one
element vof an overrunning brake device similar
to that Just described. The second element
thereof comprises an annular brake element 62,
bolted to the casing at B3 and provided with a
cylindrical portion with which the rollers 65 are
adapted to engage and thereby lock gear 2_5
against reverse rotation. _ `
The operation of the device is as followsi
To start the vehicle-from rest, brake band 59 is 25 rect drive condition obtains _throughout the
set whereupon torque is supplied to planet car
rier I9 vfrom flywheel i0. Due to the shape of
the vanes of wheel 3l)` (see Fig. 2) at thestart
there will be greater drag on wheel 30 than kon
wheel 35 therefore, as carrier I9 ls'rotated, wheel 30
33 will be rotated at a speed greater than engine
speed and the reaction on wheel 30 will tend to
rotate it in reverse. This tendency will cause the
rollers 65 to lock up against the stationary mem
ber 62 and reverse rotation of wheel 30 will be
prevented. The Wheel 30 will therefore function
as a reaction Wheel.
The fluid delivered to wheel 34 will rotate the
latter forwardly and torque will thus be trans
mitted to annulus gear 39 of the rear planetary
gearset. Forward rotation of gear 39 will tend
to rotate sun gears 46 and 52 in reverse. Sun
gear 52 will be prevented from reverse rotation by
` lock-up of rollers 51 against brake drum 58, thus
carrier 4| will be rotated forwardly and torque
willbe imparted through tail shaft 44 tothe ve
hicle drive wheels (not shown). At the same
-time, the difference in pitch diameter of sun
gears 46 and 52 will cause sun gear 46 to be ro
, tated in'reverse thereby causing reverse rotation 50 is driven in reverse underconditions of _speed and
of yhydraulic wheel 35. The wheel 35 thus func
tions as a second reaction wheel and a second
stagev of hydraulic torque conversion is provided
which acts simultanecusly'with the first stage.
' Fig.v '2 illustrates diagrammatically the fluid
flow' in thehydraulic unit under the above de
v scribed. conditions. It may thus be seen that, the
vehicleis started with- two stages of hydraulic
. torque multiplication acting in series with one
--stageofmechanical torque conversion, the lat
ter being obtained in the rearv planetary gearing.
_ j Upon acceleration of the car accompanied by a
_decrease in torque demand on shaft 31, a. corre
sponding' decrease in reaction drag on wheel 30
will occur. As the reaction force on wheel 30
decreases. the latter will speed up causing im
peller 33 to slow down until the two are rotating
at the same speed. There will, under these condi
tions, be a tendency for the front planetary set
to rotate forwardly at engine speed in locked-up 70 member 32, and rollers l1I -v'vhichare retained
condition which action is permitted by overrun
of Vrollers 65 which allow gear 25 to idle in for
ward rotation.
I Under these conditions of operation (illus
x'ated diagrammatically in Fig. 3), the transmis 75 scribed above. The wheel 30,1however, cannot
sion is operating in the second stage of hydraulic
torque multiplication combined with the stage of
mechanical torque multiplication. This will re
sult in the vehicle being driven forwardly at in
creased speed and has the Leffect of a shift to
second or intermediate speed in conventional
transmissions. ` '
Continued acceleration of the vehicle accom
panied by further decrease in torque demand on
force onthe vanes of guide wheel 35 and a de
crease in slip between runner 34 and impellers 30
and 33.` When the torque-demand on shaft 44
has reached a value approximately-equal. to the
torque supplied by impellers ,30 and. 33, the reac
tion on guide wheel 35 lwill have entirely disap
peared and the outflow from _the vane passage
of runner 34 will become forwardly directed, ap
plying forward torque to 'wheel' 35. The guide
wheel 35 will then be rotated forwardly and the
rollers 51 will release sunv gear 52 for forward
rotation. This causes lequalization of forces in
the rear planetary set'whereupon the gearset ro
tates as aA unit in'locked-up condition and a di
transmission. Thisfcondition of operation in the
hydraulicunit is diagrammatically illustrated in
Fig. 4 and corresponds to third speed in conven
tional transmissions. . _ ` l. ' '
It will Vbe noted that under- these conditions,
the wheels 30 and 33 function as'inpu't wheels or
impellers and thewheels 34f and"35 function as
output wheels or runners. `_ _
Reverse drive is obtained by release of brake
band 59 and setting of brake band 55. Annulus
gear 5l will then be locked against rotation and
application of forward-driving torque to annulus ,
gear 39 will cause forward rotation of pinion 40,
but because of the difference in pitch diameter
of the teeth 45 and 50 Aof the pinion 40, reverse
rotation will be impartedto carrier 4l and tail
shaft 44, the teeth 50 rolling around annulus
gear 5| which also acts as a rack. The vehicle.
will now be drivenin reverse with lthe hydraulic
unit operating in its rst or d_ouble conversion
Stage, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 2.
This torque multiplication'is increasedby that
resulting from the difference in pitch diameters
between annulus gears 3_9 and 5I. lIf the vehicle
torque demand sumcient to cause equalization of
forces in the front planetary gearset, a "shift
to the second stage of torque conversionfFig, 3)
will be obtained in the manner described above. `
Direct drive in reverse'can never be obtained,
however, because brake Vband 55'maintains an
nulus 5| >in stationaryfconditions which causes
guide wheel {351to rotate in: reverse at all times~
during reverse dri-ve. ' f
60 Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8,y it will be seen`
that in the formV of the invention illustrated by
l these figures, avthird overrunning clutch device
is operatively disposed between the wheels 30 and
33. In-` thesej figures,- similar' parts have been
given the 'same referencelnumerals .used to iden
tify them in the abovedescription of Figs. 1 to 6,V
inclusive. - _ . y _ _ ._
This additional'. overv._'u'n'ri_ing` clutch includes
the cams 10 which 4arey'_f-,oi?n'edon the sleeve
in spaced relationship >by tha-'usual cage.
The disposition of thecamsand; rollers is such
that the wheel 33 4can `freely-;overrun the wheel
30 as in the firstfstage Aof torque'conversion de
 2,317,498 3
overrun the wheel 33, lbut' is -clutched to it by nulus gear in mesh with said pinion; and- over
the rollers 'Il in response to such tendency to running control means for locking said second'
overrun. >
annulus gear against reverse rotation, said
This arrangement of parts does not alter the means permitting free forward rotation of said
operation of the transmission, _but is advan gear in response to a decreasel in slip between
tageous in that it prevents hunting of the said runner and said wheels.
wheels 30 and 33 which sometimes occurs when - 4. In a hydrodynamic transmission having
the change from ilrst stage to second stage of input and _output structures, a planet carrier
torque conversion takes place. carried by said input structure; a planet pinion
'In practice, the forward planetary gearset is carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears
ratioed such that there will be a slight tendency respectively meshing with said pinion; a pair oi
for the wheel l0 to overrun the wheel 33 under vaned hydraulic wheels disposed in juxtaposi
normal conditionsof torque demand. Thus, tion and connected respectively to said sun and
there will be a positive lock-up between these annulus gears for rotation therewith; a'vaned
wheels after acceleration of the vehicle to the runner wheel connected to the output structure
second conversion stage and all hunting will and disposed in such relation with respect to
be avoided. one of the aforesaid hydraulic wheels that it
It will thus be seen that I have provided a receives the discharge therefrom; a second an
power transmission that is fully automatic in nulus gear in mesh with said pinion; a member
operation and which provides a range of speed xed against rotation; and overrunning brake
ratios equal to that provided in conventional means associated with said member and second
sliding gear transmissions. While but two annulus gear and operable to lcclg- the latter
specific embodiments of my invention have been against reverse rotation while permitting free
illustrated and described, it is desired to point forward rotation thereof.
out that the invention may assume many dider- . _. 5. In a hydrodynamic transmission having
ent forms and it is not desired tovlimit the in input and output structures, a planet carrier
vention in its broader aspects except as set forth carried by said input structure; a planet pinion
in the claims appended hereto. carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears
I claim: respectively meshing with said pinion; a pair of
i. In a hydrodynamic transmission having in vaned hydraulic wheels connected respectively
put and output structures, a planet carrier to said sun and annulus gears for rotation there
carried by said input structure; a planet pinion with, said wheels having their respective `inlet
carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears and outlet portions disposed at diierent radial
respectively meshing with said pinion; a pair of distances from the rotational axis of said
vaned hydraulic wheels disposed in juxtaposition : l wheels; a vaned runner wheel connected to the `
and connected respectively to said sun and an output structure and arranged to receive the
nulus gears for rotation therewith; a vaned discharge from one of the aforesaid Wheels, a
runner wheel connected to the output structure second annulus gear in mesh with said pinion;
and disposed in such relation with respect to and means for locking said second annulus gear
one of the aforesaid hydraulic wheels'that it against rotation in the direction of rotational
receives the discharge therefrom; a second an tendency thereof caused by the distribution of
nulus gear in mesh with said pinion; and means fluid drag on said hydraulic wheels.
for restraining rotation of said latter gear in the 6. In a hydrodynamic .transmission having
direction of rotational tendency thereof caused input and output structures, a planet carrier
by fluid drag on said hydraulic wheels. carried by said input structure; a planet pinion
2. In a hydrodynamic transmission having carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears
input and output structures, a planet carrier respectively `meshing' with said pinion; a pair of
carried by said input structure; a planet pinion vaned hydraulic wheels connected respectively
carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears to said sun and annulus gears for rotation there
respectively meshing with said pinion; a pair of .' with, said wheels having their respective inlet
vaned hydraulic wheels disposed in juxtaposi and outlet portions disposed at diierent radial
tion and connected respectively to said sun and distances from the rotational axis of said wheels;
annulus gears for rotation therewith; a vaned a vaned runner wheel connected to the output
runner wheel connected to the output structure structure and arranged to receive the discharge
and disposed in such relation with respect to ; from one of the aforesaid wheels; a second an
one of the aforesaid hydraulic wheels that itv nulus gear in mesh with said pinion; and means
receives the discharge therefrom; a second an for locking said second annulus gear against
nulus gear in mesh with said pinion; and means rotation in the direction ofy rotational tendency
for preventing rotation of said latter gear in thereof caused by the distribution of fluid drag
the direction of rotational tendency thereof lill on said hydraulic Wheels during the period of
caused by huid drag on said hydraulic wheels slip of said runner relative to said wheels.
including releasahle means permitting rotation 7. In a hydrodynamic transmission having in
of said gear in the opposite direction. put and output structures, a planet carrier car-A
3. In a hydrodynamic transmission having ried by said input structure; a planet pinion
input and output structures, a planet carrier carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears
carried by said input structure; a planet pinion respectively meshing with said pinion; a rst
carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears hydraulic wheel drivingly connected with said sun
respecuvely meshing with said pinion; a pair of gear; a second hydraulic wheel drivingly con-_
vaned hydraulic wheels disposed in juxtaposi nected with said annulus gear and arranged to
tion and connected respectively to said sun and receive the discharge from said rst wheel; the
annulus gears for rotation therewith; a vaned inlet and outlet portions of said first and second
runner wheel connected to the output structure wheels being disposed respectively at dierent
and disposed in such relation with respect to one distances radially from the rotational axis there
of the aforesaid hydraulic wheels that it re of ; a second annulus gear in mesh with said pin
ceives the discharge therefrom; a second an ion; and means for preventing reverse rotation
 2,317,498
o1' said second annulus gear whereby said gear disposed in driving relation relative to said run
will function as a reaction-taking element. ner wheels; means drivingly connecting the driv
8. In a hydrodynamic transmission having in ing structure with said hydraulic impeller wheels
put and output structures, a planet carrier car including means for distributing the torque of
ried by said input structure; a planet pinion car said driving structure between said hydraulic
ried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears re wheels inversely in accordance with the hydraulic
spectively meshing with said pinion; a nrst hy drag imposed thereon; and means drivingly con
draulic wheel drivingly connected with said sun necting the runner wheels with the driven struc
gear; a second hydraulic wheel drivingly connect ture including means for applying the torque of
ed with said annulus gear and arranged to re 10 said wheels to said structure while said wheels
ceive the discharge from said ?rst wheel; the dis are rotating at diierent speeds relatively to one
charge portion of said second wheel being dis another. '
posed at greater radial distance from the rota 12. In a power transmission, a driving struc
tional axis than the discharge portion of said ture; a driven structure; a pair of turbine wheels
first wheel; a. runner wheel arranged to receive 15 connected to the driven structure; a pair of pump
the discharge from said second wheel; a second wheels arranged in driving relationship relative
annulus gear in mesh with said pinion; means to said turbine wheels; means for connecting said
for locking said second annulus gear against re pump wheels with the driving structure including
verse rotation whereby said second wheel is means for distributing- the drive of said struc
caused to remain stationary and said rst wheel 20 ture between said pump wheels in a ratio inverse
is rotated at overspeed during the slip period of ly proportioned to the hydraulic drag imposed
said runner.' thereon; and means connecting said turbine
9. In a hydrodynamic transmission having in Wheels with the driven structure arranged to per
put and output structures, a planet carrier car mit said wheels to vary in speed relatively to one
ried by said input structure; a planet pinion car 25 another whereby one of said wheels may act as
ried by said carrier; sunl and annulus gears re a guide wheel.
spectively meshing with said pinion; a first hy 13. The combination set forth in claim 12
draulic wheel drivingly connected with said sun wherein the connectingzmeans between the pump
gear; a second hydraulic wheel drivingly con wheels and driving structure comprises a plane
nected with said annulus gear and arranged to 30 tary gearset having the planet carrier thereof
receive the discharge from said first wheel; the connected to said driving structure, the driven
discharge portion of said second wheel being dis sun gear thereof >connected to one of said pump
posed at greater radial distance from the rota wheels and the driven annulus gearl thereof con
tional axis than the discharge portion of said first nected to the other of said pump wheels.
wheel; a runner Wheel arranged to receive the 35 14. The combination set forth in claim 12
discharge fromsaid second wheel; asecond an wherein the connecting means between the pump
nulus gear in mesh -with said pinion; means for wheels and driving structure comprises a plane
locking said second annulus gear against reverse tary gearset having the planet carrier thereof
rotation whereby said second Wheel is causedto connected to said driving structure, the driven
remain stationary and said first wheel is rotated 40 sun gear thereof connectedto one of said pump
at overspeed during the slip` period of said run- ' wheels and the driven annulus gear thereof con
ner; said locking means being releasable to per nected to the other of said pump wheels; -and
mit forward rotation of said second annulus gear means operatively associated with said gearset
in response to -tendency thereof 'caused by de for locking one of said driven gearsA against re- A
crease in slip between .said runner .and said first 45 verse rotation thereby to provide a reaction point
wheel. . . . y - , ' for said gearset. ' v
410.A In a hydrodynamic transmission having in 15. In a power transmission, a driving struc
put and output structure-1s,- a planet carrier car ture; a driven structure; a turbine wheel oon
ried by said input structure; a'planet pinion car nected to the driven structure; rst and second
ried by said carrierfsun-and; annulus gears re 50 pump wheels arranged in driving relationship
spectively meshing withvsaid,- pinion; arst hy with said turbine wheel. said pump wheels hav
draulic wheel drivinglyconnected 'with said sun ing their outlet portions disposed at respectively
gear; a second vhydraulic wheel drivingly con different distances radially from the axisof ro
nected with said annulus gear-and arranged to tation thereof, a planet gear carrier drivingly con
receive the discharge from said -flrst wheel; the 55 nected to the driving structure; planet pinions
discharge portion of said >secondfwheel being dis carried by said carrier; a sun gear in mesh with
posed at greaterradial-,ldistancejfrom the rota said pinions and connected to _said first pump
tional axis ~than thedischarge portion of said rst wheel; an annulus gear in mesh with said pin-_
wheel; a runner wheel arranged to receive the ions and connected to said second pump wheel;
discharge fromsaid second wheel; a second annu 60 means for preventing reverse rotational tendency
lus gear in mesh withsaid pinion; means for lock of said annulus gear caused by difference in 'iluid
ing said second annulus gear against reverse rota drag on said pump wheels during the period of
tion whereby said "secondwheelis caused to re slip of said turbine wheel relative to said pump
main stationary and said first wheel is rotated at wheels whereby said second pump wheel is adapt
overspeed during the slip period of said runner; 65 ed to function as a reaction wheel 'during'accel
said locking means beingreleasable to permit for eration of said turbine wheel. ' ` '
ward rotationof said second annulus gear in re 16. The combination set forth vin claim 15
sponse to tendency .thereof caused by decrease in wherein the means for preventing reverserota-- '
slip between said runner and said first wheel tional tendencyof the annulus gear comprises
thereby toV permit rotation of lall of said wheels 70 a second annulus gear disposed in mesh with said
at substantially Videntical speed. , l planet pinion and brake means for locking said
l1. In a power transmission, a driving struc second annulus gear against reverse rotation
ture; a driven structure; a pair of hydraulic run while permitting free forward rotation thereof, l
ner wheels drivingly4 connected to the driven whereby the second pump wheel is permitted to
structure; a- p_air of'hydraulic impeller wheels 75 rotate forwardly at the speed of the first pump '
 2,317,498 5
wheel in response to falling off of reaction on said the output shaft, said gearset being operable to
second wheel. provide a stage of mechanical torque multiplica
17. In a hydraulic power transmission, a driv tion during operation of both stages of hydraulic
ing structure; a driven structure; a. turbine wheel torque multiplication; and means operably as
connected to the driven structure; a pair of sociated with said gearset for establishing reverse
pump wheels connected to the driving structure: rotation of the output during forward rotation
a reaction wheel: the disposition of said wheels of the input shaft.
being such that the hydraulic fluid passes suc 24. The combination set forth in claim 19
cessively through said pump wheels to said tur wherein a planetary gearset is interposed in the
bine wheel, thence to said reaction wheel; means drive connection between the turbine wheel and
interposed in the drive connection between the the output shaft; said gearset including an annu
pump wheels and driving structure for permit ius gear connected to the turbine wheel; a. planet
ting relative rotation between said wheels dur gear carrier connected to the output shaft and
ing driving including means for preventing re a sun gear connected to the reaction wheel; a
verse rotation thereof whereby one of said wheels second sun gear meshing with the planet gears of
may act as a reaction wheel during initial accel said gearset; means for locking said second sun
eration of the turbine wheel; said means being gear against reverse rotation thereby to provide a
operable to permit said wheel to rotate in unison reaction point for said reaction wheel during the
with the other pump Wheel in response to de slip period; said locking means being releasable
crease in the slip of the turbine wheel thereby to 29 to permit lock-up of the planetary gearset in l
provide a step-up in ratio through said transmis to l ratio in response to forward rotation of the
sion. reaction wheel.
18. The combination set forth in claim 17 25. in a power transmission, a driving struc
wherein means is provided for releasing the re ture; a pair of hydraulic pump wheels; means
action wheel for forward rotation in response to including a planetary gearset for connecting said
shift in the direction of the impinging fluid pump wheels with the driving structure; a driven
caused by cessation of slip of the turbine wheel, structure; a pair of hydraulic runner Wheels;
thereby to provide a step-up to direct drive. ' means including a planetary gearset for connect;
19. In a hydraulic power transmission, a driv ing said runner wheels with the driven structure;
ing structure; a driven structure; a turbine wheel the said planetary gearsets being so constructed
connected to the driven structure; rst and sec and arranged with respect to said wheels and
ond pump wheels connected to the driving struc structures that said wheels may vary in yspeed
ture; a reaction wheel; the disposition of said with respect to one another and said structures
wheels being such that the hydraulic fluid passes in accordance with the hydraulic drag imposed
in succession through the first pump wheel, the thereon.
second pump wheel, the turbine wheel, tnence 26. The combination set forth in claim 2d
through the reaction wheel to the first pump wherein overrunning brakes are respectively
wheel; a planetary gearset interposed in the drive operably associated with one of said pump wheels
connection to said pump wheels and operable to and one of said runner wheels for restraining re
distribute the drive between said Wheels in in 40 verse rotational tendency thereof, said brakes be
verse proportion to the hydraulic drag imposed ing releasable for permitting substantially syn
on said wheels by the rotational resist-ance of chronous forward rotation of said wheels.
said turbine wheel; a fixed element operatively 27. In a hydrodynamic transmission having
associated with said gearset for resisting reverse input and output structures, a planet carrier
rotational tendency of said second pump wheel carried by said input structure; a planet pinion
whereby the latter is caused to function as a re carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears
action wheel thereby to provide one stage of respectively meshing with said pinion; a pair of
torque multiplication; and means for preventing vaned hydraulic wheels disposed in juxtaposition
reverse rotational tendency of said reaction wheel and connected respectively to said sun and annu
thereby to provide a second stage of torque mul 50 lus gears for rotation therewith; a vaned runner
tiplication. wheel connected tothe output structure and dis
20. The combination set forth in claim 19 posed in such relation with respect to one of the
wherein the planetary gearset is operable to per aforesaid hydraulic wheels that it receives the
mit the pump wheels to rotate in unison in re discharge therefrom; a second annulus gear in
spense to decrease in slip of the turbine wheel mesh with said pinion; means for restraining ro
thereby to effect a step-up in driving ratio. tation of said latter gear in the direction of ro
21. The combination set forth in claim 19 tational tendency thereof caused by uid drag
wherein the planetary gearset is operable to per on said hydraulic wheels, and clutch means oper
mit the pump wheels to rotate in unison in re atively associated with said pair of vaned wheels
sponse to decrease in slip of the turbine wheel 60 for28.clutching the same together.
In a hydrodynamic transmission having
thereby to effect a step-up in driving ratio; and
means for permitting forward rotation of the input and output structures, a planet carrier car
reaction wheel in response to reversal of fluid ried by said input structure; a planet pinion car
iiow impinging thereon thereby to effect a second ried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears re
spectively meshing with said pinion; a pair ot
step-up in driving ratio. vaned hydraulic wheels disposed in juxtaposition
22. The combination set forth in claim 19 and connected respectively to said sun and annu
-wherein a planetary- gearset is interposed in the
lus gears for rotation therewith; a vaned runner
drive connection between the turbine wheel and wheel connected to the output structure and dis
the output shaft, said gearset being operable to posed in such relation with respect to one of the
provide a stage of mechanical torque multipli 70 aforesaid hydraulic wheels that it receives the
cation during operation of both stages ci hy
draulic torque multiplication. discharge therefrom: a second annulus gear in
23. The combination set forth in claim 19 mesh with said pinion; means for preventing
wherein a planetary gearset is interposed .in the rotation of said latter gear in the direction of ro
drive connection between the turbine wheel and 75 tational tendency thereof caused by uid drag on
 v6 2,317,498
said hydraulic wheels including releasable means annulus gear in mesh with said pinion; means for
permitting rotation'of said gear in the opposite locking said second annulus~ gear against reverse
direction, and clutch means operatively asso rotation whereby said second wheel is caused to
ciated with said pair of vaned wheels for clutch remain stationary and said first wheel is rotated '
ing the same together. at overspeed during the slip period of said run
29. In a hydrodynamic transmission having ner, and an overrunning clutch operatively dis
input and output structures, a planet carrier car posed between said irst and second wheels oper
ried by said input structure; a planet pinion able to permit said iirst wheel to overrun said
carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears second kwheel and to clutch said second wheel to
respectively meshing with said pinion; a pair 10 said flrst wheel upon tendency of the former to
of vaned hydraulic wheels connected respective overrun the latter.
1y to said sun and annulus gears for rotation 33. In a power transmission, a driving struc
therewith, said wheels having their respective ture; a driven structure; a hydraulic runner
inlet and outlet portions disposed at different ra drivingly connected to thedriven structure; a
dial distances from the rotational axis of said 15 pair of hydraulic members disposed in driving
wheels; a vaned runner wheel connected to the relation relative to said runner; means driving
output structure and arranged to receive the ly connecting the driving structure with said hy
discharge from one of the aforesaid wheels, a draulic members including means for distribut--
second annulus gear in mesh with said pinion; ingv the torque of said driving structure between
-means for locking said second annulus gear 20 said hydraulic members inversely in accordance
against rotation in the direction of rotational with the hydraulic drag imposed thereon, and
tendency thereof caused by the distribution of clutch means operatively associated with said
fluid drag on said hydraulic wheels, and means members for clutching them together for syn
for automatically clutching said pair of Wheels chronous rotation.
together in response to tendency of the Wheel 25 34. In a power transmission, a driving struc
of larger diameter to overrun the other wheel. ture; a driven structure; a turbine wheel con
30. In Lai hydrodynamic transmission l:having nected ltothe ldriven structure;l a~.'pair of pump
input andiV outputstructures, a; planet-i carrier wheels arrangedrin driving .relationship lrelative
carried by said input structure; a planet pinion to said turbine Wheel; means for connecting said
carried by said carrier; sun and annulus gears pump wheels with the driving structure includ
respectively meshing with saidpinion; a pair of ing means forl distributing the drive of said struc
vaned hydraulic wheels connected?respcctively ture'betw'een .saidlpump wheels in a ratio in
to said sun and annulus gears for rotation'there Iversely proportioned to the hydraulic drag im
with,y said wheels having their respective;iniet posed thereon,-..'and clutch'means operatively as
and outlet portions disposed at different radiall ...sociated with said wheels operable automatically
distances from the rotationalaidspf said'wheels; inv response "to' 'cessation of -slip between said
and an overrunning clutch operatively disposed .wheels for clutching them together. '
between said wheels for clutching them together y 35. The combination set forth in claim V34
underfcertain. conditions of torque demand.- 1i 'ff " wherein the connecting means between the'pump
af hydrodynamic ltransmission having 1 wheels ' 'and driving structure Acomprises a plane
input and output structures, a planet carrier Atary 'gearset having the planet carrierthereof
carried by saidinputstructure:a planet-pinion connected> to'said driving structure,l the'driven
carried =by'?said fcarrier; -sun `and annulus gears '
' sun" 'gear 'thereof connected to one of saidpu'mp
respectively meshingwith 'said- -pini'onr- asnrst -wheels 'andthe driveny annulus"'gear thereo'fcon- `
hydraulic wheel drivingly connected with said 45 nected tothe'other of said pump, wheels. ' ' "
sun-'- gear," -'at secondl i hydraulic lwheel f :drivingly 36. The combination set forth in claim 34
f connectedi'with said annulus gearfand .arranged _ wherein the connecting means between the pump
the
to receive
inlet and'outlet-portions
vthe discharge fromsaid
of said
first
?rst and wheels and driving structure,coir'ipri'ses= a'plan'
second wheels being disposed respectively atl dif.` 50 connected to said-drivingfstructure the ldriven
ferent distances radially from the rotational axis ysun gear thereof connected tof one of said-pump
thereof; a second annulus gear in mesh with. said
pinion;~'rn'eans- for preventing reverse rotation v.wheels and. the driven annulus gear thereof
>oi' said second annulus gear whereby vsaid gear connected to the other of said pump wheels; and
will functiony as a reaction-taking element, and 55 means operatively associatedrwith said gearset
for restraining one of said driven gears from re-
clutch' means operatively disposed _between said verse rotation thereby to provide a reaction point
wheels operable automatically in response to for said gearset. ~
tendency of the second wheel to overrun the flrst 37. In a hydraulic power transmission which
wheel for clutching said wheels together. '
includes a pair of input wheels and a pair of
32. In a hydrodynamic transmission having 60 output wheels, said wheels being- disposed in se
input and output structures, a planet carrier car ries relation; diilerential means drivingly con
ried by said input structure; a planet pinion car necting said input wheels, and diierential means
. riedby said carrier; sun and. annulus gears re drivingly connecting said output wheels.
spectively meshing with said pinion; a rst hy
draulic wheel drivingly connected with said sun 65 38. In .a hydraulic power transmission, a driv
gear; a~second hydraulic wheel drivingly con ing structure; a driven structure; a pair of in
nected with said annulus gear andarranged to put wheels; diierentia'l( means for drivingly con
necting said input wheels with each other and
receive the discharge from saidl iirst wheel; the with said driving structure; a pair of output
discharge portion of said second wheel being dis wheels; and differential means drivingly con
posed at greater radial distance from the rota-V .70 necting said output wheels with each other and
tional axis than the discharge portion of said with said driven structure.
first wheel; a runner Wheel arrangedl to receive WILLIAM D. TIPTON.
the discharge from said second Wheel; a second