Hydraulic synchronizer

Abstract

A synchronizer for first and second drives is provided which includes a first drive having a first fluid passage, a hub affixed with the first drive having a second fluid passage connected with the first fluid passage, a piston mounted on the hub forming a control volume between the piston and the hub, the control volume intersecting the second passage, the piston being responsive to fluid pressure within the control volume, a friction member rotated with the hub being moved by the piston and a friction surface rotating with the second drive member for engagement with the friction member to synchronize the first and second drives together, first teeth rotating with the hub being moved by the piston, and second teeth rotating with said second drive member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a synchronizer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the synchronizer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an operational view of the synchronizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the alternate preferred embodiment synchronizer to that shown in shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another alternative embodiment synchronizer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the synchronizer shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an operational view of the synchronizer shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Claims

1. A synchronizer for first and second drives disposed for relative rotation about a common axis and secured against axial movement relative to one another, said first drive having a first fluid passage extending at least partially therethrough, said synchronizer comprising: a hub affixed with said first drive, said hub having a second fluid passage fluidly connected with said first fluid passage;a piston sealably mounted on said hub forming a control volume between said piston and said hub, said control volume intersecting with said second passage, said piston having movement along said common axis in response to fluid pressure within said control volume;a synchronizer cone rotated with said hub having a friction surface angled with respect said common axis, since synchronizer cone being move by said piston;a friction surface rotating with said second drive for engagement with said synchronizer cone to synchronize said first and second drives together;first teeth rotating with said hub being moved by said piston along said common axis; andsecond teeth rotating with said second drive for meshed contact with said first teeth by virtue of movement of said piston.

2. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein said piston is spring biased to a neutral position.

3. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein said hub has a separate lubrication passage fluidly connected with said first passage to lubricate said second drive when said piston is moved by fluid pressure within said control volume.

4. A synchronizer as described in claim 3 wherein said second drive has a side face and a gear tooth face and lubricant from said lubrication passage can flow from said side face to said tooth face through a second drive lubrication passage.

5. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein said piston is mounted along an outer diameter of said hub.

6. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein there is a bracket between said piston and said second teeth and wherein said bracket has said first teeth.

7. A synchronizer as described in claim 6 wherein having a return spring captured between said cone and said bracket.

8. A synchronizer as described in claim 7 wherein said piston is along an outer diameter of said hub.

9. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein said friction surface rotating with said second drive and said second teeth are provided by a dog leg connected with said second drive.

10. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second teeth are gear teeth.

11. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein said synchronizer has said first teeth generally at a diameter of said hub outer diameter.

12. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 wherein said synchronizer has said second teeth generally at a diameter of a gear face of said second drive.

13. A synchronizer as described in claim 1 further including a third drive disposed for relative rotation about said common axis and secured against axial movement relative to said first drive, and wherein said first drive has a third fluid passage extending at least partially therethrough and said hub having a fourth fluid passage fluidly connected with said third fluid passage, and said synchronizer has another set of piston, synchronizer cone, and first and second sets of gear teeth to synchronize and connect said first and third drives together in a manner aforedescribed for connecting said first and second drives together.

14. A synchronizer as described in claim 13 wherein said pistons are provided on a common body.

15. A synchronizer as described in claim 13 having return springs mounted on a common pin extending through said hub.

16. A synchronizer as described in claim 16 wherein said pin has shoulders to prevent self-actuation of said synchronizer.

17. A synchronizer for first and second and drives disposed for relative rotation about a common axis and secured against axial movement relative to one another, said first drive having a first fluid passage extending at least partially therethrough, said synchronizer comprising: a hub affixed with said first drive, said hub having a second fluid passage fluidly connected with said first fluid passage;a piston sealably mounted on an outer diameter of said hub forming a control volume between said piston and said hub, said control volume intersecting with said second passage, said piston having movement along said common axis in response to fluid pressure within said control volume;a friction member rotated with said hub being moved by said piston;a friction surface rotating with said second drive for engagement with said friction member to synchronize said first and second drives together;first teeth rotating with said hub being moved by said piston along said common axis; andsecond teeth rotating with said second drive for meshed contact with said first teeth by virtue of movement of said piston.

18. A synchronizer for first, second and third drives disposed for relative rotation about a common axis and secured against axial movement relative to one another, said first drive having a first fluid passage and a third fluid passage extending at least partially therethrough, said synchronizer comprising: a hub affixed with said first drive, said hub having second and fourth fluid passages respectively fluidly connected with said first and third fluid passages;pistons sealably mounted on said hub forming control volumes between said pistons and said hub, said control volumes respectively intersecting with said second and fourth passages, said pistons having movement along said common axis in response to fluid pressure within said control volumes;friction members rotated with said hub being moved by said respective pistons;friction surfaces rotating with said respective second and third drives for engagement with said friction members to synchronize said second and third drives with said first drive;a set of respective first teeth rotating with said hub being moved by said pistons along said common axis;second teeth rotating with said respective second and third drives for meshed contact with said first teeth by virtue of movement of said respective piston; andreturn springs mounted on a common pin to bias said pistons to a non-actuated position.

19. A synchronizer as described in claim 18 wherein said pin has shoulders to prevent self actuation of said synchronizer.

20. A synchronizer as described in claim 18 wherein said pistons are provided on a common body.