• A REAR• AXLE AND• GEARBOX COMBINED.
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Résumé of Recently Published Patents.
An interesting arrangement of transmission gear, in which-the change-speed wheels are located in the rear-axle case, is described in Specification No. 172,317, by G. II. Morin-Gauthier, It is only, we think, practicable for light van and ear chassis, but for those purposes appears to have the advantages of simolicity and accessibility to an unusual degree.
The propeller shaft, housed within a torque tube, is hollow at its rear end, and embraces the squared or,splined end of the primary shaft of the gearbox. The rear-spigcit end of this shaft rotates in a ball bearing which is located within the constant-mesh wheel. The latter is keyedto the main bevel pinion, which is thus, it should be noted, situated at. the extreme rear of the casing. The crown wheel drives one road wheel through a shaft in the usual way. There is no differential gear, and the other road wheel revolves freely on its axle.
The layshaft of this gearbox is disposed above the main shaft, and the cover of the axle case is so arranged that, when it is removed, the layshaft and its bearings may be removed entire. Removal of a small cap at the rear of the case allows of the bevel pinion being extracted, whilst, with the layshaft out, the primary shaft and its gears, as well as the selecting mechanism, are sufficiently accessible for all practicable purposes. . The arrangement of the gears within the box does not differ materially from that usually encountered in three-speed gearboxes. There are two sliding gear, wheels on the primary shaft, which may be engaged with one or other of two wheels secured to the laysbaft.. A separate pinion on a stub shaft provides for a reverse. The layshaft revolves all the time the vehicle is in motion.
Other Patents of Interest.
A convenient attachment devised to facilitate the towing of disabled vehicles is described by J. C. Swackhamar in No. 156,196. A solid non-flexible and non-extensible, or contractible, bar. is provided. At its rear end is a plate shaped to accommodate the front axle of the towed car ; at its front end is a vertical pivoted plate. Straps arranged, as regards one of them, to wrap round the front axle of the towed vehicle, and, as regards the other, to surround the rear axle, or some other equally convenient member of the towing vehicle, meet in the middle of the tow-bar on the shaft of the ratchet-controlled winch, by means of which these straps are tightened upon their respective objects. A rearwardly projecting arm makes contact with the cross coupling rod of the steering gear of the towed vehicle, and makes steering of the latter automatic.
Steering mechanism for vehicles in which all four wheels both drive and steer is described in No. 161,589 by U. Pavesi. The invention is applicable only when both axles pivot about their vertical centres, and is designed to ensure an equal amount of rotation being given to each axle.
A peculiar chassis arrangement is described by Rornbo Societa Anonima, Brevetti Fusculdo in No. 162,291. The vehicle has four wheels, which are, however, disposed in an unorthodox manner, there being one at the front, one at the rear, and two at the ends of a transverse axle in the middle. The front and rear wheels are stecrers and the others drivers: It is claimed for this three-track arrangement that, amongst other advantages, it permits good and exceptionally elastic Suspension even when travelling on very uneven ground; that it allows of turning in very restricted space, to such a degree that the vehicle can turn upon one of its driving wheels as a centre; that the chassis may he lighter ; and that in. creased mechanical efficiency of operation is afforded owing to the fact that several of the usual parts are simplified or even dispensed with, and also because the form of the body may more readily be adapted to overcome air resistance.
A peculiar and interesting arrangement of final-drive gear is the subject of Patent No. 163,299 by G. M. Willis. The live axles have sprocket pinions mounted upon their outer ends. Chains from these ran round wheels which are mounted on spindles carried in hearings supported in the road wheel itself. Keyed to these same spindles are spur pinions, which mesh with large gearwheels which are secured to the stationary axle tubes. The driving shafts are driven through the differential gear.; they revolve the sprocket pinions, which, through the chains and wheels, revolve the small spur pinions on the spindles which are carried by the road wheels. The pinions run round the stationary spur wheels, and take the read wheels with them. Most of the reduction in gear ratib is Otis effected in the road wheels.
The construction of an air-cooled en • gine which shall 'be adapted for use on commercial vehicles appears to be having the attention of General Motors Research Corporation, for they describe, in Specification Nn. 165,764, a method oi attaching cooling radiating fins to a cylinder. The object. is to unite copper fins to a cast-iron or steel cylinder in such a way that there shall be good thermal contact between the copper and cylinder metal, and also so that the contact shall be permanent. As effected according to this invention, the junction is made of a character to fulfil the above objects lay being made through the medium of a, liner of brazing brass, which intervenes between the fins and the cylinder.
E. F. Palmer describes, in No. 167,755, a method of filtering the air which is supplied to the extra-air device of a motorcar engine. The extra-air valve is disposed within an egg-ended cylindrical chamber of ample volume; ingress to which is afforded through suitable gauzes.
A flexible belt for fan and similar drives •is described in No. 182,509 by T. G. P. Healey. It is of leather, and made of small U-shaped pieces riveted together.