Manually operable variable bleed for hydrostatic transmission

摘要

A closed loop hydrostatic transmission is disclosed which includes an improved hydraulic fluid bleed arrangement. The fluid bleed arrangement includes a variable flow bleed valve hydraulically joined with each of the closed loops of the hydrostatic transmission. Each variable bleed valve is operatively associated with the control mechanism which selectively controls the reversible flow fluid pump of the closed loop for direction of fluid under pressure in forward and reverse directions in the loop. The variable action of each bleed valve permits a relatively greater amount of hydraulic fluid to be bled from the closed loop during periods of operation when the flow of hydraulic fluid otherwise lost from the closed loops is insufficient to permit adequate replenishment of fluid in the loops with cooler charging fluid. Additionally, the variable bleed valves of the system reduce the amount of fluid bled from the loops during periods of operation when a relatively high rate of hydraulic fluid bleed is not desired, thus permitting the charging system of the hydrostatic transmission to include a charging pump of relatively smaller displacement.