April 1 7, '1 951 H F HOBBS 2.

549-090
VARIABLE RATIO POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS
Flled Feb 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

Inventor
HOWARD TFfDgK/CK H0556
3 .

Allorneys
 Patented Apr. 17, 1,951
2,549,090

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,549,090
VARIABLE aATgg1i:kvX%%SrRANsMIssI0N
Howard Frederick Hobbs, Leamington Spa, Eng;
land, assigiior to Hobbs~ Transmission'Limited,
Leamington Spa, England, a British company
ApplicationFebruary 17, 1948, Serial No. 8,856
,In Great Britain February 19, 1247
20 Claims. (01. 74,752)
1 2
This invention relates to variable ratio power pressure. Liquid pressure may also be utilized
transmission apparatus and its main object is to assist the springs, and the amount of this liquid
to provide an improved and simple means for pressure may be controlled by the operator and
controlling changes of ratio in which automatic by means of a valve and spring.
ratio changing is combined with a desirable de The operators control may comprise a valve
gree of manual control. connected to the throttle control of the engine
The main purpose of the invention is to con associated with the transmission whereby at small
trol ratio changing of a transmission of the kind throttle openings the distributor valve will move
comprising gearing and a number of hydraulical fromrone position to another at differentspeeds
ly actuated friction devices. Additional positively than at-larger throttle openings. A hand control
engaging devices may also be controlled by the may be provided to operate a valve whereby the
same means. pressure in the system willbe shut off so as to
The invention is applicable to that particular give a neutral condition. The control will be
,kindof transmission in which there is at least preferably associated with the type of trans
one friction device used for operatively engaging 15 mission having at least two input rotary friction
the input with the transmission, i. e., for starting devices, and these will be provided with. exhaust
and stopping. valves whereby when the pressureis shut by the
According to the invention an automatic con distributor valve the exhaust valves will open
trol device for variable speed transmission gear thereby emptyingthe liquid actuating spaces of
ing having a series of hydraulically actuated fric- ~ the rotary clutches.
,tion devices,_comprises, a valve device carried by Push off springs will be'provided to assist dis
a rotary input part having an exhaust, port or engagement of the clutches and the clutches may
ports, and a delivery duct from an input driven be designed so that centrifugal action on the
pump, centrifugal force on the said valve con liquid within the rotary actuating spaces will,
trolling the liquid pressure delivered by the pump * due to centrifugal head, provide ,a substantial
and engaging load on at least one of said friction part of the engaging load.
devices for the purpose of automatic engagement An output driven pump may be included in
for starting and stopping, at least one distributor the control device riorvthe purpose of providing
valve having different positions so as to direct pressureiitolengage oneior more of said friction
pressure to one or another to a different series of 30 devices whenthe engine and input driven pump
said friction devices, said distributor valve or is stationary. A relief valvewill be provided so
valves automatically, by means of the variable as to prevent pressure in the system rising be
liquid pressure, controlled by said piston. yond some givenrpredetermined amount. A fur
The valve device may be arranged so that the ther valve _may be provided which maintains
pressure from the pump will act on the outer end - some given minimum pressure in certain parts
of a piston thereby tending to move it inwards of the hydraulic circuit.
and uncover the exhaust port. A spring may act One constructional form of the invention will
on the inner end of the piston valve to assist the now be described by way of example with ref
centrifugal force thereon. The distributor valve erence to theaccompanying drawings in which:
may comprise apiston Within a cylinder having 40 Figures 1 and 1A are the left and right hand
two operative positions only atthe ends of its parts respectively of a diagrammatic drawing
travel and it may be located by ball detents 1o showing one arrangement of a control device-con
cating in holes or grooves in the piston. The structed in accordance with the invention.
detents may be spring urged or they may be The shaded portion l represents arotary in
urged by means of a piston on which liquid pres 45 put part of the transmission apparatus and for
sure acts. The detents may be urged into en~ the purposeof description this isshown. to carry
gagement by both liquid pressure and springs. spindles of double planet pinions 2, one set of
TWo or more similarly constructed distributor which mesh with the gun-gear 3 and the other
valves may be employed each positioned in two set with the sun-gear 4. The sun-gear 3, is
positions by detents, and the pistons may be in 50 mounted on an intermediate shaft 5 which car
terlocked by means of balls or rods which mate ries the sun-gear 6 of a second planetary gear
with holes or grooves so that one piston cannot train. This also has double planet pinions !
,move until the other has already moved. The one set of which mesh withthe sun-gear 1Band
_,distributor valves may be urgedinone direction the other set withthe sun-gear} carried by the
' "L'by springsv and in the other direction by liquid poutputishaft. fzThe cage of the rear [planetary
 2,549,090
4
train is formed on the intermediate shaft 9 and ing full throttle may still further increase the
this cage also co-acts with a roller detent mecha force from the spring. Pressure in space 64 will
nism I6 whereby the cage is prevented from ro therefore vary according either to the position of
tating in a reverse direction. A reaction shaft the accelerator pedal or the lever 10. The duct
II carries the sun-gear 4 and also the spinner 1! leads to the distributor valves and can be
plates hi the clutch I2 and the reaction brake opened or closed to either of the ducts 59, 60, 6I.
I3. The intermediate shaft 9 carries the spin After pressure'is open, for example to duct 60,
ner plate of the clutch I4. The gearing arrange-w i it will pass through the feed 62 and act on the
ment shown is merely by way of example and to " valve 21 causing the valve to move inwards against
illustrate the operation oftheautom'atic control its spring and so open the pressure to the space V
device which may be applied to any combination 25. Similarly pressure opened to the duct 6I
of gearing and friction devices, which may or will pass through the feed 63 to the space 24.
may not include roller or toothed detents and With removal of pressure'from the valves 21, 28,
dog-clutches. . '
the spaces are exhausted since the valves will
a

To simplify description no means for obtaining 15 move to the position shown and open the spaces
reverse is shown. ' ' ' ; -_ - > 3
to exhaust ports. The distributor valves 51, 58
The friction devices comprise vspinner plates, are located in two positions by detents 86, 8|,
pressure plates I5, I6, I1, insulator plates I8, I9, a which operate in grooves such as 82. The de
20, and diaphragms 2|, 22, 23. The devices are tents are pressed into engagement by pistons 83,
engaged by opening ?uid pressure to the spaces 20 84, and may also have springs such as 85. The
24, 25, 26. The clutches I2, I4, are each provid pistons are opened to the pressure in the space 64
ed with an exhausting valve shownat 21, 26. En- ' by means of the duct 86. The interlocking rod 81
gagement of brake I3 provides 1st gear and en interlocks the distributor valves so that until the
gagement of clutch I2 provides 2nd gear, and en distributor valve 51 moves outwards, allowing
gagement of clutches I2 and I4 together provide 25 the rod 81 to enter groove 88, the valve 58 is
3rd gear or direct gear. , prevented from moving outwards. Similarly
The control device is constructed as follows: when both are in the outwards position the valve
An input driven pump 46 draws liquid from 51 cannot move inwards until the valve 58 has
the suction M which leads to the sump. 'An out already moved inwards allowing the rod 81 to en
put driven pump 42 normally merely serves to 30 ter groove 89. The grooves 90 and 9| serve to con
pass oil from the suction M to the suction space meet the duct H with the ducts 59, 60, 6|. The
43, but should the input pump 46 be stationary hole 92 serves to exhaust duct 59 when valve 51
rotation of the pump 42, such as by towing 2. ve is in its outwards position.
hicle to which the apparatus is ?tted, will cause - The shaded rotary part I extends as shown
valve 44 to lift and the pump 42 will supply oil 55 around and carries the parts I4, I5, I8, 22, I6, I2,
to the outlet duct 45. A relief valve 46 prevents 54, 56, 24, 21, 25, and is driven by'any usual
excessive pressure in the duct 45. The manually input shaft. ' , I j

controlled valve 41, operated from the lever 49, The shaded parts around the parts I3, 26, I1, 26,
serves to shut off pressure to the duct 48 soas 23, 94, 93, 58, 51,56, 40, 41, 44, 42, are all fixed
to provide a positive neutral condition. A valve parts attached to the usual gear housing.
56 maintains some given'minimum pressure in In operation the variable pressurelin the space
duct 48' and liquid passing the valve 50 enters 52 acts on the ends of the valves 51, 58, and tends
the duct 5I which leads to a pressure space 52 to push them outwards against the resistance of
and through a feed 53 to a piston valve 54 which the detents 80, 8|. The springs 62, 63 tend to
operates in a bore formed in the rotary input part 45 push the valves inwards as does alsothe pres
. I. The piston valve is urged outwards by the sure in space 64 which acts on the outer ends of
spring 55, and also by centrifugal force acting the valves. The pressure inspace 52 will in
upon the valve. Pressure acting in the space 52 crease with speed and the pressure in the space
reaches the-piston valve 54 and tends to move 64 will be varied according to the position. of
the Valve inwards thereby uncovering the exhaust 50 the pedal 69 or the lever 16. At some predeter
56; A variable pressure is therefore maintained mined low input speed both of the valves will be
in the space 52 which will depend upon the speed inwards since the pressure in the space 52 will
of the rotary input part, the ,mass and area of be low. In this case the pressure in the space
the piston valve 54, and the strength of the. spring ' will pass the duct 93 in thevalve 94 to the space
55. Since it the pressure rises above some pre 55 26. The valve 94 is urged in the one direction
determined given pressure for any given speed the by the spring 95 and in the other. by the pres
exhaust 56 will be opened. The distributor valves sure in the space 52. At lowspeeds a low pres
'51, 58, serve totopen and close the ducts 59, 60 sure will act in the space 26, but on increase of
and 6| which lead to the friction devices. The speed the pressure will ?rst increase gradually
. distributor valves are urged downwards by the 60 (as the pressure in the space 52 is increased be- 7
cause of the increased centrifugal force on the
springs 62, 63, and these are assisted by pressure
valve 54). When some predetermined pressure
' in the space 64. Liquid enters the space by duct 65
which is of restricted area and is controlled by is reached however the valve 94 will move inwards
the valve 66 which is urged. outwards. by the thus opening the duct 59 to the space 26, the duct
pressure to uncover the exhaust-.61, and inwards 65 59 being then open to the increased pressure in
by the spring 68. A given pressure will be main~ the ducts 48, 1I. This provides an automatic
tained in space 64 dependent upon the force exert engaging effect, the push off springs 96being
ed by the spring 68. The force from the spring sufficiently strong'to'overcome the pressure in
will be varied by movement of the throttle con the space 26 at idling speeds, the pressure ?rst '
trol pedal 69, and can be set at some'minimum 70 gradually increasing with increased-R. P. M. and '
value by the hand lever 10. With throttle open then more rapidly, causing smooth engagement
ing at a minimum the force on the spring 68 of the devices I3. As speed of the member I is
will be a minimum. Increase .in throttle open- ' further increased the pressure in the space 52 is
ing will increase the force 'on spring 68 and increased until the pressure acting on the end
* movementof the pedal beyond the position "giv 75 of the valve 51 is su?icient to overcome the force
 "ammo
from the spring 62, pressure in the space 64 and I may maintain a pressure in the space 64 of 2.5
the resistance from the detent so. The valve 'p. s. i. which produces a downward force of 2.5 lb.
51 snaps outwards and is located by the detent on each piston. The pistons 83, 84, may be of
in the groove 97. Pegs 98 ensure that the valves such area as to produce a force on the detents of
do not move beyond positions located by the de 1.5 lb.
tents. With the valve 51 in the outwards posi
' tion the duct 50 and space 26 areexhausted
At 600 R. P. M. the downward force is
' through a port 92a and the pressure is led to , 21/2+5=*71/2 1101
Upward force is ______ __- __________ __6 lb.
the ducts 60 and the space 25 which causes en
Force to overcome detent is ______ "1%; lb.
gagement of the clutch I2 and the transmission 10
operates in 2nd gear ratio. This causes the speed ' 6+11/2=71/2 1b.
of the input part I to be reduced but the valve and the distributor piston if outwards will snap
51 does not thereupon move inwards since the . in.
, spring 62 and the pressure in the space 64 must At 1200B. P. M. the downward force is
overcome both the pressure in the space 52 and 15
V 21/2+5=7V2 1b.
the resistance of the detent 80 before the valve Upward force is ___________________ 9 1b.
' will move inwards. As the speed of the input
Force to overcome detent __________ 11/2 1b.
part I again increases'the pressure in the space minus 1b.
52 will again increase until it is sufficient to cause
the valve 58 to move outwards whereupon both 20 and the piston if inwards will snap out.
clutches 12, M, are engaged and the apparatus The change from 1st to 2nd will therefore take
operates in direct ratio. If the speed of the mem~ place at 1200 R. P. M. and that from 2nd to 1st
her I and the pressure in the space 52 is su?icient at 600 R. P. M.
ly reduced the spring 62 and the pressure in the If the pedal is moved downwards the spring on
space 64 will overcome the pressure in the space the piston 66 will be further compressed and it
52 and the resistance of the detent iii and the may, for example then retain 10 lb. sq. in. and
valve 58 will snap inwards, clutch I4 thereupon hence will apply 10 lb. force on the distributor
being disengaged and exhausted by means of the pistons and 6 lb. on the detents.
valve 28. The transmission operates in 2nd ra This will alter the speeds of change to 1200
tio. This will allow the speed of the part i to ' R. P. M. and 2400 R. P. M. i. e.,
increase but the valve 58 will not thereupon move At 1200 R. P. M. downward force is__10+5=15 lb.
outwards since the difference in speed and pres Upward force is __________________ __ 9 lb.
sure in the space 52, to cause the inwards and Force to overcome detent is; _______ __ 6 lb.
outwards movements, will be greater than the 9+r6=15 1b.
di?erence in speed due to the change in ratio. 35 and the piston will snap in.
When operating in 2nd ratio the valve 51 can be
moved inwards with decreased speed in the same At 2400 R. P. M. downward force is ____ __ 15 lb.
manner as already described, whereupon the Upward force is __________________ __ 21 1b.
transmission will operate in 1st ratio. The speeds Force to overcome detent is ________ __ 6 lb.
at which the changes are made will be largely, 40 21 minus 6:15 lb.
dependent upon the pressure in the space M and the piston will snap out.
and acting on the pistons 83, 84, and hence will > In a similar manner the pedal will compress
' be dependent upon the position of the accelera the spring 68 su?iciently to provide maximum
tor pedal, or the lever 10. The main purpose of performance e. g., if su?icient to maintain 40 lb.
the lever 10 is for use when descending hills in a sq. in. changes would occur at 2400 and 4800
vehicle ?tted with the device when the valves 51, R. P. M. .
58 can be made to move inwards at a relatively The difference in R. P. M. for "up change and
high speed of the part I and valve 54, when the down change is made somewhat greater than
throttle of the engine is closed. The lever 10 the change in R. P. M. caused by the change, so
can be pulled outwards thus putting the maxi that there is no tendency to make more than one
mum force from the spring 58 on the valve 66 change at the same time. The speeds for chang
and thereby the maximum pressure in the space ing one ratio may be somewhat different from
64. Since the arrangement of the distributor those for another ratio, e. g., 1st to 2nd may
valves and the piston valve 54 comprises an im change at 1200 R. P. M. at one pedal setting,
portant part of the invention the action should whilst 2nd to 3rd may require say 1600 R. P. M.
be clearly understood. The valve 54 may provide for the change at the same setting. Individual
a pressure in the space 52 which may be variation of the springs of the distributor pistons
will vary this but will also vary the speed differ
1 p. s.
i. at 600 R. P. M. (of the part I) ence between up and down change. Varia
4 p. s.
i. at 1200 R. P. M. (of the part I) 60 tions of the areas of the pistons alters the R. P. M.
16 p. s.
i. at 2400 R. P. M. (of the part I) for changebut need not vary the speed difference.
36 p. s.
i. at 3600 R. P. M. (of the part 1) The pedal can be arranged with whatever re
Any ?xed increase of pressure can be added by lationship between throttle and spring 68 that
the provision of the spring 55, and if this is as is desired, e. g. movement between shut and open
sumed at 5 p. s. i. there will be 65 throttle may vary the spring only slightly whilst
additional pedal travel may vary it greatly.
6 p. s. i. at 600 R. P. M.
It will be clear that the operator may obtain
9 p. s. i. at 1200 R. P. M.
maximum possible R. P. M. in each ratio when
21 p, s. i. at 2400 R. P. M.
41 p. s. i. at 3600 R. P. M.
desired by full movement of the pedal or mini
70 mum R. P. M. by a lesser movement. Speed of
The exposed area of each distributor valve may be movement of the pedal may also in?uence the
1 sq. in. The strength of the springs 62, 63 matter i. e., a quick movement can load spring
may be assumed 5 lb. This will offset the effect 68 in advance of engine R. P. M. increase thereby
of the additional pressure due to the spring 55. producing a higher pressure at the outer ends of
llnlan assumed throttle position the spring 68 75 the distributor piston before a. corresponding. in~
 2,549,090
T, crease at the inner-ends, thus forcing a down - sure in said pressure chamber, said valve member
"change or oppositely an-up change by a quick being urged under centrifugal action to close the
, , movement, which would not result from a nor exhaust and urged under said ?uid pressure to
, mal movement. open the exhaust, a non-rotary part, at least one
The arrangement provides almost unlimited , distribution valve in said non-rotary part includ
choice of ratio within the range of engine R. P. M. ing at least one movable valve element interposed
. Another feature tending to give stability is the between the outlet of said pump on the one hand
?uid displacement. If for example the second and the clutch and brake friction devices on the
distributor piston snaps outwards, it tends to other hand, and movable into different positions
create a pressure rise by momentary displace 10 in which ?uid is applied to the appropriate devices
ment of the valve 66 owing to the restriction of to produce the required transmission ratios said
the duct 65 and similarly a pressure fall on snap movablevalve element being urged by the pres
ping inwards, hence even if the other pistons sure in the pressure chamberin that direction of
tended to move at the same R. P. M. the tendency movement of the element which will vary the
is momentarily removed whilst the engine reaches 15 ?uid distribution to the clutch and brake fric
the changed R. P. M. tion devices, and detent means for locating the
It will be appreciated that when the vehicle distributor valve element in different positions
comes to' rest with the throttle shut. the pistons corresponding to different transmission ratios.
will move in one after the other thereby placing 2. A' control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
the unit ready for a ?rst gear start. 20 havinga cylinder constituting the valve cham
It will be understood that any number of dis ber carried-by the rotary part, a piston constitut
- vtributor valves such as 51, 58, may be employed ing said valve member and located in said cylin
with interlocking devices such as 81 and a suit der, the outer end of the piston being exposed to
able number will be provided to control the num the ?uid pressure which tends to urge the piston
ber of ratios obtained with the transmission. It 25 inwards to uncover the exhaust opening.
- will be understood also that a reverse may be ob 3. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
tained either by movement of some positive con having a cylinder constituting the valve chamber
nection such as adog-clutch which may be con carried by the rotary part, a piston constituting
nected so as to be accomplished by movement of said valve member and located in said cylinder,
the lever 49 or by engagement of certain of the 30 the outer end of the piston being exposed to the
friction devices, in which case the valve 41, when ?uid pressure which tends to urge the piston in- '
moved to the position for reverse, may open the wards to uncover the exhaust opening, and a
' pressure in the space 45 to ducts leading to the spring is provided which urges the piston out
, appropriate friction device. These ducts may be
wards in addition to centrifugal force.
interrupted by a valve or, valves such as 94 35 4. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
whereby at least one of the friction devices is au having a cylinder bore, the distributor valve ele
tomatically engaged and disengaged at some pre ment being a piston operating in said cylinder
determined speedof the part I. bore. .
"It will be appreciated that a number of pis , 5. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
ton valvesmay be carried in the part I which wherein openings are provided in the distributor
control separate hydraulic circuits or other pres valve element, and the detent means comprise a
,sure varying devices may be introduced into the solid movablerelement carried in the said non
circuits comprising ducts such as 59, 60, 6|,so rotary part and entering said openings, a piston
as to provide suitable pressures for operation of carried in the said non-rotary part, one end of
any of the friction devices under any condition said piston being open to liquid pressure, said
of operation. The valve 50 serves as such a de solid element being urged in the direction to en
vice in so far that it maintains some minimum gage said distributor valve element by said piston.
given pressure in the duct H. The pressure in 6. A control apparatus as claimedin claim 1
the duct 43 may be. arranged to be varied with wherein openings are provided in the distributor
speed of the pumps 42 and 40. valve element, and the detent means comprise a
I claim: ' V solidmovable element carried in the said non
1. In a variable speed transmission mechanism rotary part and entering said openings, a spring
having an input shaft, a rotary input part con carried in said non-rotary part, said solid ele
nected to the input shaft, an output shaft, gearing ment being urged in the direction to engage said
elements connected between the rotary part and distributor valve element by said spring.
the output shaft, at least two friction clutch de '7. A control apparatusas claimed in claim 1
vices. having input and output elements, the in wherein at least two distributor valve elements
put: elements'being carried by the input shaft are arranged side by side, openings are provided
and the output elements being carried by different in said elements, and the ?xed part also carries
elements of the said gearing, at least one friction 60 a solid detent element which interlocks the valve
brake device adapted to have braking engagement elements by means of said openings therein, said
with an element of the gearing to provide a reg detent element engaging at its ends in said open
quired transmission ratio, and ?uid-pressure ac ings, the length of the detent element being such
tuated means for rendering said devices effective, that when one end engages in one of said open
the provision of an automatic control apparatus 65 ings in one saidivalve element therother end no
comprising a liquid pressure chamber, means for longer maintains detent engagement in the other
supplying ?uid from the pressure chamber to the said valve element.
means for rendering the friction devices effective, 8. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
pump means driven by the input shaft and wherein the distributor valve element is urged in
adapted to feed ?uid to said chamber, a valve 70 the other direction by variable liquid pressure
chamber in said rotary part connected to said controlled by the operator.
pressure chamber and having an exhaust open 9. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
ing, a valve member in said valve chamber con wherein. said distribution valve element is urged
, trolling outlet 'of ?uid through said exhaust open in the other direction bya spring.- ~
iingiand thereby controlling the degree of pres 75 10. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1.
 2,549,090
9 10
wherein the distributor valve is urged in the other and arranged so that the force from the spring
direction by both a spring and variable liquid is increased if the controlling device is moved
pressure controlled by the operator. beyond the position giving full speed.
11. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 15. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
wherein the distributor valve element is urged in wherein the distributor valve element is urged in
the other direction by variable liquid pressure the other direction by pressure applying means
' controlled .by the operator and wherein the liquid and a manual control is provided which can be
pressure controlled by the operator also'acts on set to vary the pressure exerted by said pressure
the detent means. applying means.
12. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 17. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
having means whereby the distributor valve ele wherein the distributor valve element is: urged in
ment is urged in the other direction by variable the other direction by pressure applying means
liquid pressure controlled by the operator, said and a manual control is provided which can be
means including a duct of restricted area leading set to vary the pressure exerted by said pressure
to a pressure space, an exhaust duct in said applying means and wherein the said manual con
non-rotary part, a piston urged by the liquid trol can be set so as to maintain a minimum ?xed
pressure in the pressure space in a direction to force from the said pressure applying means.
open said exhaust, and a spring urging said piston 18. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
in the direction to close the exhaust. having pressure applying means for urging the
13. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 20 distributor valve element in the other direction,
having means whereby the distributor valve ele~ a manual control which can be set to vary the
ment is urged in the other direction by variable pressure exerted by said pressure applying means,
liquid pressure controlled by the operator, said and means whereby the force acting to engage
means including a duct of restricted area leading the detent means can be set by said manual con
to a pressure space, an exhaust duct in said non 25 trol.
rotary part, a piston urged by the liquid pressure 19. A control apparatus as claimed in claimil
in the pressure space in a direction to open said having pressure applying means for urging the
exhaust, a spring urging said piston in the direc distributor valve element in the other direction, a
tion to close the exhaust, and means whereby manual control which can be set to vary the pres:
force exerted by the spring is controllable by the sure exerted by said pressure applying means,
operator. means whereby setting of the manual control
14. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 maintains a minimum ?xed force from the said
having means whereby the distributor valve ele pressure applying means and sets the force act- '
ment is urged in the other direction by variable ing on the detent means to some minimum.
liquid pressure controlled by the operator, said 35 20. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1
means including a duct of restricted area leading wherein an additional relief valve is provided in
to a pressure space, an exhaust duct in said non communication with the pump outlet so as to
rotary part, a piston urged by the liquid pressure - maintain at such point a given minimum pressure
in the pressure space in a direction to open said which can be opened to the friction devices.
exhaust, a spring urging said piston in the direc 40 HOWARD FREDERICK HOBBS.
tion to close the exhaust, and means which con
meet the spring to an engine speed bontrolling REFERENCES CITED
device and arranged so that when it is moved for The following references are of record in the
increased speed the force from the spring is in ?le of this patent:
creased. 45
15. A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS ,
having means whereby the distributor valve ele Number Name Date
ment is urged in the other direction by variable 2,177,904 Maybach ________ __ Oct. 31, 1939
liquid pressure controlled by the operator, said 2,328,092 Nutt et a1 _________ __ Aug. 31, 1943
means including a duct of restricted area leading 50 2,332,593 Nutt et al _________ _- Oct. 26, 1943
to a pressure space, an exhaust duct in said non 2,374,303 Osborne ________ __ Apr. 24, 1945
rotary part, a piston urged by the liquid pressure 2,440,589 Kegresse ________ __ Apr. 27, 1948
in the pressure space in a direction to open said
FOREIGN PATENTS
exhaust, a spring urging said piston in the direc
tion to close the exhaust, and means connecting 65 Number Country Date
the spring to an engine speed controlling device 813,616 France __________ __ Mar. 1, 1937