A New Ford Transmission System
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AUTOMATIC action is claimed for a —knew transmission system disclosed in patent No. 615,143, from the Ford Motor Co,, Ltd., 88, Regent Street, London, W.L. The scheme utilizes a torque converter in conjunction with constant-mesh gear trains.
The drawing, which is purely, diagrammatic, shows the engine shaft carrying a flywheel containing a clutch having two output members (1 and 2). Either of these can be engaged by hydraulic means (3). The first clutch drives the main transmission shaft (4) via a free-wheel (5), whilst the second one is connected to a gear (6). The main transmission shaft carries, via a free-wheel (7), the reverse, first speed and overdrive pinion (8); this can be positively coupled by a sliding dog (9).
At the far end of the shaft is a dog (10) which can be engaged by another
(11) to give a straight-through drive to the main output shaft (12). The output gear (13) is also provided with a freewheel between it and the shaft.
The gearbox is provided with the usual layshaft (14) fitted with gears meshing with those on the main shaft. Four speeds are obtainable, one of which is an overdrive, and the usual reverse is incorporated.
The dual clutch is built into a torque converter so that a limited ratio change is obtained by this means. The patent gives full details of the different combinations of gears and clutches used in obtaining the full range of ratios.
A NEW SAFETY TYRE
ASAFETY tyre which, although designed chiefly for aircraft wheels, may well have other applications, is shown in patent No. 615,076, by the Elunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., and others, 1, Albany Street, London, N.W.1. The tyre is of the type employ
ing two pressure chambers, one of which would carry the load if the other should fail.
The drawing clearly illustrates the scheme in which the inner chamber is provided with a textile lining (1), an air tube (2) which is reinforced with threads (3)on its "tread." The outer chamber contains a rubber semi-tube (4) thickened slightly on its largest diameter. Both 'chambers have an airvalve, and the working pressures are given as 30 to 100 lb. per sq. in. in the outer one, and 100 to 200 lb. per sq. in. in the inner one. ; COMBUSTION CHAMBER IN PISTON CROWN
AN oil-engine combustion system forms the subject of patent No. 611,916, which comes from J. Oilier and G. Grosshans, both of Paris. In this scheme the combustion chamber is formed in the piston crown, the chief aim being to induce considerable turbulence during operation.
The drawing shows a section of the chamber, the shape of which is that of a flattened sphere. The upper opening is slightly constricted, and is offset with respect to the cylinder axis; this feature is said to set up a vigorous air whirl, as indicated by the arrows.
cations, including injector position.
AN IMPROVED MEANS FOR LOADING A TRUCK
A TRUCK provided with a self-loading lifting gear forms the subject of patent No. 615,281, which comes from Alvis, Ltd., and A. Kemp, both of Holyhead Road, Coventry. The scheme is intended principally for small works trucks, but is not, of course, limited to these.
The drawing is a front elevation of the proposed vehicle. The chief feature is a round pillar (I) pivoted on a pin (2) so that when not in use it can be swung into a horizontal position, as shown at 3. A lifting platform (4) can slide up or down the column, the upward movement being hydraulically powered. The platform can rotate
about the column so that a load placed upon it when in the position 5 can be lifted, swung over the body (position 6) and lowered aboard. The column may also be tilted to the left to enable a load, such as a barrel, to be rolled off.
A TRACTOR WITH ADJUSTABLE FRONT WHEELS
PA.A SYSTEM providing for the rapid adjustment of tractor front wheels is shown in patent No. 615,247, which comes from V. Ballu, Epernay, France, and others. The scheme is intended to facilitate row-crop working, and by moving one of the front wheels to the rear, to enable " shuttle " ploughing to be readily performed, that is, without turning the tractor round.
The drawing shows a plan view of the machine. The front pair of wheels is mounted on bell-cranks pivoted on pins (1) so that they can be set at maximum width (full line) or any narrower position down to that shown in broken line. The steering mechanism works on conventional lines, except that the half-track-rods (2) have to be made adjustable for length.
For shuttle ploughing, the wheel and steering assembly (3) is detached as a unit, and replaced at the opposite corner (4). This brings it in line with the other front wheel, and so forms a double-ended machine. Both small wheels are still steered, their stub-axles being interconnected by a reversing lever (5) pivoted to the frame. The machine requires a gearbox with a full range of reverse gear ratios, and a system of driver's controls arranged to work both ways.