A vehicle drive includes a speed change mechanism connected to a rotary electric machine; an output member connected to the speed change mechanism and wheels; an engagement device changes a state of engagement between an input member connected to an engine and the speed change mechanism; a hydraulic pump driven by the engine or the rotary electric machine; a first pressure control device that controls pressure supplied from the pump and supplies the pressure to the speed change mechanism; a second, separate hydraulic pressure control device that controls the pressure supplied from the pump and supplies the pressure to the engagement device; and a case that houses the rotary electric machine, speed change mechanism, engagement device, and pump. At least the engagement device is housed in a space formed by the case, and the second hydraulic pressure control device is provided at a part of the case forming the space.

A vehicle drive includes a speed change mechanism connected to a rotary electric machine; an output member connected to the speed change mechanism and wheels; an engagement device changes a state of engagement between an input member connected to an engine and the speed change mechanism; a hydraulic pump driven by the engine or the rotary electric machine; a first pressure control device that controls pressure supplied from the pump and supplies the pressure to the speed change mechanism; a second, separate hydraulic pressure control device that controls the pressure supplied from the pump and supplies the pressure to the engagement device; and a case that houses the rotary electric machine, speed change mechanism, engagement device, and pump. At least the engagement device is housed in a space formed by the case, and the second hydraulic pressure control device is provided at a part of the case forming the space.

A testing device for testing a drive train or components within a marine propulsion system is provided and includes a first disk with a plurality of first disk depressions that faces a second disk with a plurality of second disk depressions. The first disk and the second disk are secured relative to each other so that they define a space, and a seal at outer edges of the disks is in fluid communication with the space. One of the first disk and the second disk is secured to a driven shaft. Upon rotation of the driven shaft, a load is produced due to shearing of fluid between the disks, yet no thrust is produced.

A method of controlling the electric current of a linear solenoid valve by performing pulse width modulation on a coil current for energizing a linear solenoid of the linear solenoid valve to adjust the hydraulic pressure of a working oil in a hydraulic clutch for transmitting and interrupting the rotational drive power from a power source to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The method includes setting the period of the pulse width modulation to a shorter value as the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged increases from a disengaged state thereof. Here, the period of the pulse width modulation may be set in accordance with the variation of a duty ratio depending on the hydraulic pressure corresponding to the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged.

A method of controlling the electric current of a linear solenoid valve by performing pulse width modulation on a coil current for energizing a linear solenoid of the linear solenoid valve to adjust the hydraulic pressure of a working oil in a hydraulic clutch for transmitting and interrupting the rotational drive power from a power source to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The method includes setting the period of the pulse width modulation to a shorter value as the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged increases from a disengaged state thereof. Here, the period of the pulse width modulation may be set in accordance with the variation of a duty ratio depending on the hydraulic pressure corresponding to the degree to which the hydraulic clutch is engaged.

A power shunt for shunting rotary power from a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power shunt further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to a lock configured to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power shunt further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A testing device for testing a drive train or components within a marine propulsion system is provided and includes a first disk with a plurality of first disk depressions that faces a second disk with a plurality of second disk depressions. The first disk and the second disk are secured relative to each other so that they define a space, and a seal at outer edges of the disks is in fluid communication with the space. One of the first disk and the second disk is secured to a driven shaft. Upon rotation of the driven shaft, a load is produced due to shearing of fluid between the disks, yet no thrust is produced.

A power coupler for transferring rotary power from a rotary power device to a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power coupler further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to the rotary power device. The power coupler further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power coupler further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power coupler further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A power coupler for transferring rotary power from a rotary power device to a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power coupler further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to the rotary power device. The power coupler further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power coupler further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power coupler further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

The invention relates to a hydrodynamic transmission gear-box that contains two pump wheels, which are round flat disks, on the front peripheral part of which installed firmly are radially directed blades. The first wheel is rigidly connected to the input shaft. The second and subsequent pump wheels, each with a diameter greater than the previous one, are mounted with their own hubs onto the hubs of the preceding pump wheels with the possibility of free rotation on them. On the back side of each disk, a device is installed to block it with the next pump wheel, and the last pump wheel—with the turbine wheel. The turbine wheel is mounted on the input shaft and in the crankcase of the drive device on bearings and is connected to vehicle's reverse mechanism and running gear. Reduction in weight and size, increase of service life and performance improvement are achieved.