Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Hydrostatic drive arrangement

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5744493

A hydrostatic drive arrangement is described for a vehicle which consists of: a pair of variable speed hydrostatic transmissions each having a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor and a closed loop hydraulic circuit interconnecting the pump and the motor for communicating fluid therebetween; synchronizing valve means interconnected between the hydraulic circuits of the transmissions normally permitting interflow of fluid through first passage means between the hydraulic circuits for synchronizing the output speeds of the transmissions when the fluid pressure in the hydraulic circuits is below a predetermined value, the synchronizing valve means being responsive to fluid pressures in the hydraulic circuits to restrict interflow therebetween through restricted second passage means when the fluid pressure in one of the hydraulic circuits exceeds the predetermined value; a hydraulic charge pump connected with the closed loop hydraulic circuits for replenishing fluid lost from the hydraulic circuits; and selector valve means disposed between the hydraulic charge pump and the synchronizing valve means for selectively communicating the synchronizing valve means normally blocking communication between the synchronizing valve means and the hydraulic charge pump and establishing communication between the synchronizing valve means and the drain thereby permitting interflow of fluid between the hydraulic circuits, and means responsive to a steering operation of the vehicle to establish communication between the synchronizing valve means and the hydraulic charge pump thereby blocking interflow of fluid between the hydraulic circuits.

Assignee:
Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho, Tokyo
Patent Number(s):
US 4583371
OSTI ID:
5744493
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English