Three position actuator having a neutral normal position for shifting a two speed transfer case
US5125326A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19433
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A three position actuator which is used to position the gear range control lever on a two speed transfer case. Three positions are required to achieve HIGH, LOW and NEUTRAL. Two individual air chambers may be selectively charged with compressed air to move two pistons along a common actuator rod to achieve linear translation of the control lever to selectively position the transfer case in HIGH, NEUTRAL or LOW range. The transfer case is shifted from LOW to NEUTRAL or HIGH to NEUTRAL by releasing the respective charge of compressed air thereby permitting a spring to shift the control lever to neutral. Thus, in the event of a failure of the system supplying the compressed air, the actuator will return the transfer case to NEUTRAL as required for towing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.