Importance

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Abstract

A drive mechanism for driving a vehicle, comprising a pair of drive wheels each having a drive shaft, a source of hydraulic oil under pressure on the vehicle and controlled by a control unit for delivering hydraulic oil in two directions, wherein the drive shafts of the pair of wheels are each driven by a high torque, low speed hydraulic motor or pump. The principal components of the motors include a crank shaft mounted in the housing for connection to the drive shafts of the wheels. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of the pistons between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders to thereby impart motion to the wheel drive shaft. A valve assembly provides hydraulic fluid to the cylinders to sequentially move the pistons in the desired direction of piston travel. The two motors are mounted on the vehicle to form a transaxle unit, and controls permit simultaneous or independent operation of the two motors.

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First Claim