Title: Power transmission mechanisms

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Abstract: A variable-ratio power transmission mechanism having two output shafts for driving respective wheels or tracks at opposite sides of a heavy off-the-road vehicle, and having a steering mechanism for varying the relative rotational speeds of said shafts, is known. Where the steering mechanism includes a null shaft which is not driven when straight-line travel is required, said shaft has been driveable by hydrostatic means, but these have sometimes proved unreliable. It is therefore proposed to drive the null shaft by mechanical two-speed gearing driven from the input of the power transmission mechanism. The null shaft is selectively driveable by said gearing in either direction of rotation through the appropriate one of two progressively engaging clutches until it attains a first speed, and an epicyclic reduction gear in said gearing is then locked up to drive the null shaft in the same direction at a higher speed.


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