United States Patent (19) 11) 4,150,737

Patton 45 Apr. 24, 1979

54) INCHING VALVE Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott
Assistant Examiner-James Yates
75 Inventor: Jon R. Patton, Jackson, Mich. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ernst H. Ruf
73 Assignee: Clark Equipment Company, 57 ABSTRACT
Buchanan, Mich.
In a control apparatus, for a vehicle having a transmis
21 Appl. No.: 821,277 sion and brake means wherein hydraulic passage means
22 Filed: Aug. 3, 1977
connects a source of fluid pressure to a fluid actuated
clutch, an improved inching valve interposed in said
51) Int. Cl........................ B60K 41/24; F16D 67/02 passage means for selectively reducing the hydraulic
52 U.S. C. ............................. 192/13 R; 137/625.61; pressure supplied to the clutch in proportion to the
192/109 F degree of actuation of the brake means in two succes
58 Field of Search ................. 192/4A, 109F, 13 R, sive stages wherein there is no direct initial mechanical
192/4 C; 137/625.61, 625.6 connection between the inching valve spool and its
actuating means whereby in the first stage of operation
56) References Cited the solely hydraulical connection between the actuating
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS means and the spool member positively restricts the
operation of the improved inching valve to pressures
3,143,127 9/1964 Frost ................................. 137/116.3 below the maximum desired clutch slip pressure and
3,339,672 10/1967 Crandall ............................ 192/13 R wherein during the second stage of operation, the
3,365,035 1/1968 Kress ............ ... 192/109 F clutch pressure is further reduced to a minimum slip
3,568,718 3/1971 Wilke et al....... ... 137/625.6 pressure.
3,696,897 10/1972 Kitano et al. .... ... 192/109 F
3,990,549 1 1/976 Sisson et al. ......................... 192A A
4,006,805 2/1977 Zeller et al. ......................... 92/4. A 15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures

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NCHNG VALVE
mum desired clutch slip pressure. It is desirable to limit
clutch slip to pressures below the maximum desired slip
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION pressure since the capacity of a clutch to be cooled is
1. Field of the Invention generally limited by fixed parameters such as its size and
The field of art to which this invention pertains in the volume of available cooling oil flow.
In operation, the prior art pressure regulator or con
cludes pressure regulator or inching valve means for use trol valves
in fluid operated control systems. More particularly, the one or moreoperateof the
satisfactorily until the time when
truck wheels drops into a hole. At
improved inching valve of this invention is constructed this time, clutch apply pressures higher than normal
so that it positively restricts the operation thereof to 10 will be required in order to drive the
pressures below the maximum desired clutch slip pres hole, and experienced operators can, bytruck out of the
judicial brake
Sre,
2. Description of the Prior Art pedal play, slip the clutch in the region between the
Briefly, this invention constitutes an improvement in pump pressure and the maximum desired clutch slip
pressure regulating or inching valves, with such valves 15 pressure which can drastically shorten clutch plate life.
often being used in the prior art for regulating pressure Further examples of undesired slippage, induced by
to a fluid operated clutch of the type often found in the operator control, can occur on rough terrain lift trucks
constant-mesh powershift transmissions of industrial that are continually required to operate over holes and
vehicles, such as lift trucks and the like. Specifically, humps. The improved inching valve of this invention
such prior art control valves are frequently constructed prevents the operator from slipping the clutch at exces
to permit an immediate relief of a portion of the clutch sively high pressures, and in fact, positively restricts the
application pressure followed by a regulated decrease operation of the inching valve to pressures below the
or increase in the fluid pressure applied to the fluid desired maximum clutch slip pressure.
clutch whereby the latter may be gradually disengaged The improved inching valve of this invention is so
or engaged by the operator. One particular use of this 25 constructed
type of regulating valve contemplates the control of a tion betweenthatitsthere is no direct mechanical connec
fluid-pressure actuated clutch for the transmission of, means, therefore preventing thespool
regulating and its actuating
operator from manipu
for example, a lift truck where it is often necessary to lating the valve spool at higher than desired slip pres
hold the truck stationary while the lift fork is operated sures. In a first stage of operation, the actuating means
at a speed corresponding to full engine speed without 30 closes off a normally open drain port thereby causing a
shifting the transmission to the neutral position. It is build-up of pressure until this pressure exceeds the max
desirable, in such circumstances, to be able to precisely
move or "inch' the vehicle in either the forward or imum desired clutch slip pressure. This in turn causes
reverse direction in order to achieve accurate position movement of the spool member to completely close off
ing in the handling of materials. 35 the clutch pressure inlet port, with the spool member
Various controls and regulating valves for perform and its associated bias means thereafter controlling the
ing the above-noted function in conjunction with pressure to the clutch so as to permit inching of the
powershift transmissions applying fluid pressure actu vehicle. A further operator input, via the brake means,
ated transmission clutches have been disclosed previ induces a second stage of operation wherein the actuat
ously and are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,127 to ing means is additionally displaced until a further bias
Frost, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,549 to Sisson et al, means physically contacts the spool member and addi
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,805 to Zeller et al. In order to tionally displaces it until a spool member land portion
carry out their regulating valve function, the valve opens an additional drain port and thereby further low
means, such as described in these patents, have been ers the fluid pressure relative to the clutch until a mini
provided to affect improved gradual engagement or 45 mum slip pressure is achieved.
disengagement of the vehicle clutch and the relief of
excess pressure in the system by operating the valve thisThus, the operation of the improved inching valve of
invention is positively restricted to inching pressure
means in conjunction with the application and release of values below the maximum desired clutch slip pressure
the vehicle brakes. In such structures, where the actua thereby preventing the operator from slipping the
tion of the valve means may be either hydraulic or SO clutch at excessively high pressures. This very impor
mechanical, when the brakes are actuated the valve
means shifts to a position partially interrupting fluid tant pressure restriction significantly enhances clutch
flow to the clutch and thereby effects controlled partial life.Other features and advantages of this improved inch
deactuation of the clutch by maintaining a relatively
low fluid pressure, thus providing control of the torque 55 ing valve will be more readily understood by persons
to the wheels of the vehicle. skilled in the art when following the detailed descrip
In these prior art patents, there is an initial direct tion in conjunction with the several drawings.
mechanical connection between the inching valve spool BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
and its brake-controlled actuating means so that the
operator can, by judicious brake pedal actuation, con FIG. 1 shows an industrial vehicle, such as a lift
trol that portion of the inching valve pressure drop truck, in which the present invention finds utility.
between pump pressure and the desired maximum slip FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, partially in section,
pressure to the detriment of clutch life. which employs the improved inching valve of this in
vention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 65 FIG. 3 shows a typical pressure vs. distance relation
The improved inching valve of this invention is de ship for a prior art inching valve.
signed to limit clutch slip at clutch apply pressures FIG. 4 shows the pressure vs. distance relationship
below a fixed predetermined value, i.e., below the maxi for the improved inching valve of this invention.
 4,150,737 4.
3
tion 116 being provided with locating portion 122. Pro
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED jecting radially into groove portion 124 is stop member
EMBODIMENT 126 which is received within a groove in bore 68. Also
Referring now to the drawings in detail, in FIG. 1 the located in groove portion 124 is spring or bias means
reference numeral 10 generally denotes an industrial 5 128 which has one end thereof abutting stop member
vehicle, such as a lift truck, having a body 12 supported 126 while the other end abuts land portion 114, thereby
by a pair of drive wheels 14 and a pair of dirigible normally biasing stem assembly 112 to the left until land
wheels 16. An engine 18 is disposed in body 12 and is portion 116 abuts stop member 126.
connected to drive wheels 14 through a power shift Located between spool member land portion 88 and
transmission 20 which utilizes a plurality of fluid pres 10 stem assembly land portion 116, is a cavity or variable
sure actuated clutches, including a forward clutch 22 volume chamber 132 that includes a groove 134 in com
(FIG. 2). Located on body 12 is an operator station 26 munication with port 74. Contained within cavity 132 as
which includes a seat 28, a steering wheel 30 and vari well as supported both on locating portion 122 of stem
ous hand as well as foot controls. Mounted on the front assembly 112 and on locating portion 96 of spool mem
of lift truck 10 is a telescopic upright 32 which carries a 15 ber 86, is a further spring or bias means 136 whose axial
pair of forwardly extending load engaging fork arms 34 extent is less than the axial extent of cavity 132 when
adapted to be inserted into a pallet on which a load is spool member 86 and stem assembly 112 are in their at
placed. rest positions, i.e., when they abut stop members 108
Referring now to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment and 126 respectively. Therefore, there is a gap, denomi
of the improved inching valve of this invention will 20 nated by numeral 140 between end 138 of spring 136
now be described. Numeral 36 generally denotes a typi and annular end face 142 of spool land portion 88. The
cal fluid system or circuit in which the regulator or function of gap 140 will be explained in more detail as
inching valve, generally denoted by numeral 40, is uti this description progresses.
lized. Fluid circuit 36 includes a pump 42, driven pro It is the function of annular end face 144 of land
portional to engine speed, which draws fluid from a 25 portion 116 to act as a regulating edge relative to
reservoir 44 via a fluid conduit 46. The outlet of pump groove 134 so as to control the fluid outflow from cav
42 discharges into a conduit 48 having a pressure regu ity 132 via port 74. It is the function of annular end face
lator 50 interposed therein. Fluid, at a constant pressure, 146 of spool memberland portion 88 to act as a regulat
is thereafter supplied to inlet port 52 and groove 54 of ing edge with reference to groove 54, thereby control
inching valve 40, via conduit 48. As will be explained in 30 ling the flow of fluid from inlet port 52 to annular
detail later, pressurized fluid emerges from inching groove portion 94. In a similar manner, annular end face
valve 40 via groove 58 and outlet port 60 and flows, via 106 of spool memberland portion 90 acts as a regulating
conduit 62, to clutch 22. edge with reference to a groove 150, which is in com
Inching valve 40 includes an elongated valve body 66 munication with port 72, to thereby control the flow of
having a longitudinally extending through bore 68 35 fluid from clutch 22 and annular groove portion 94 back
which communicates, in addition to inlet port 52 and to reservoir 44.
outlet port 60, with spaced drain grooves or ports 70, 72 Bore 82, near the left end of housing 66, is in commu
and 74 all of which are connected via conduits back to nication with a cavity 152 between closure member 80
reservoir 44. A fixed closure member 78 is provided to and land portion 114 of stem assembly 112. Located
sealingly close bore 68 on its right end and another fixed within cavity 152, and abutting land portion 114, is seal
closure member 80 is provided to sealingly close bore member 154.
68 at its left end. A further port 82 communicates with As shown in FIG. 2, fluid system 36 is also connected
bore 68 near the left end portion of bore 68 adjacent to to the vehicle hydraulic brake system 160. Conduit 162,
closure member 80. containing brake control valve 164, is connected to the
Slidably disposed in bore 68 is a spool member, gener 45 vehicle brakes 166 and to a master cylinder 168 which
ally denominated by numeral 86, which controls the in turn is connected to a brake pedal 170 pivotable on
fluid flow between inlet port 52, outlet port 60 and drain vehicle body 12 at 172. A branch conduit 174 also con
port 72. nects conduit 162 with port 82 of valve body 66.
Spool member 86 has two spaced land portions 88 It should be understood at this time that the actuation
and 90 that are connected by a central portion 92 having 50 of master cylinder 168 generates pressurized fluid and
an annular groove portion 94. The outer end of land that a portion thereof is directed into cavity 152 for
portion 88 is provided with a locating portion 96. In axially displacing stem assembly 112 to the right so as to
addition, spool central portion 92 is provided with a subsequently cause annular end face 144 of land portion
radial aperture or orifice 98 which permits communica 116 to eventually completely shut off the flow of fluid
tion between annular groove portion 94 and a passage 55 from cavity 132. It is only after groove 134 has been
way 102 which extends axially within spool 86 from completely closed off that an additional input from the
central portion 92 outwardly through land portion 88 vehicle operator will cause further translational move
and locating portion 96. A biasing spring 104 is disposed ment of stem assembly 112 so as to thereby completely
in bore 86 between closure member 78 and spool mem eliminate the gap 140 between spring end portion 138
ber land portion 90. During normal operation, spool 60 and inner end face 142 of spool land portion 88. Once
member 86 is biased to the left by spring 104 until the there is contact between spring end 138 and annular
inner annular end face 106 of land portion 90 abuts stop surface 142, the force on the latter is proportional to the
member 108 received within a groove in bore 68. amount of operator input.
Also slidably disposed in bore 68 is an actuating While the actuation of inching valve 40 is described
means that preferably takes the form of a piston or stem 65 with reference to hydraulic actuation via stem assembly
assembly 112 which includes spaced land portions 114 112, it should be understood that valve 40 could also be
and 116 that are separated by a central portion 120 actuated via a mechanical linkage (not shown) that
having an annular groove portion 124, with land por could interconnect valve 40 and brake system 160. It
 4,150,737
5 6
should be clear that while hydraulic or fluidic actuation input movement, via brake pedal 170, is further in
of valve 40 is shown, the invention is not limited creased.
thereto. Key elements vital to the function of inching valve 40
In operation, when vehicle 10 is standing with its include orifice 98, passageway 02, gap 140, spring 136
engine idling, inching valve 40 is in its inactive or rest and vent groove 134.
position, wherein pressurized fluid is delivered by pump A perusal of FIG. 3 will show that prior art inching
42, via conduit 48, into regulator valve 40. Upon enter valves, such as, for example, those shown in U.S. Pat.
ing inlet port 52 and groove 54, the fluid flows around Nos. 3,990,549 and 4,006,805, can and will operate in
spool central portion 92 into annular groove portion 94 area 176 between AP1, the maximum pump pressure,
from whence it freely exhausts through groove 58 and 10 and AP2, the maximum slip pressure. The structure of
outlet port 60 into clutch 22 via conduit 62. inching valve 40 prohibits the operation of the valve in
Spool member 86 is forced to the left by spring 104 area 176 as shown in FIG. 4, i.e., the operation of valve
with an effort equivalent to the maximum inching pres 40 is positively restricted to inching pressure values
sure desired, which for one operative example, is 30 below about 30 psi. This very important pressure re
pounds per square inch. The force can, of course, be 15 striction prevents the operator from slipping the clutch
calculated by multiplying the pressure by the projected at excessively high pressures, and, therefore, signifi
area of the spool. During normal operation, spool mem cantly enhances clutch life.
ber 86 will be forced to the left by spring 104 until stop It will also be appreciated that modifications may be
member 108 is reached. In this position, an open passage made in fluid circuit 36 and inching valve 40. For exam
of fluid to clutch 22 is permitted via port 52, groove 54, 20 ple, the actuation of stem assembly 12 may be in any
annular groove portion 94, groove 58 and port 60. At desired manner. Furthermore, orifice diameters, spool
the same time, fluid under pressure will flow through diameters and spring rates etc. can be selected to pro
orifice 98 and passageway 102 into cavity 132. How duce various desired performance characteristics.
ever, zero pressure will act on the left hand end of spool 25 From the foregoing, it is believed that those familiar
member 86, i.e., on locating portion 96 and annular end with the art will readily recognize and appreciate the
surface 142 of land portion 88, since the fluid flowing novel concepts and features of the present invention.
into cavity 132 will be vented out of cavity 132 via Obviously, while the invention has been described in
groove 134 and port 74. FIG. 2 shows inching valve 40 relation to but a single embodiment, numerous varia
in its inactive position during which time fluid can 30 tions, changes and substitutions of equivalents will pres
freely flow from pump 42 to clutch 22 at full pump ent themselves to persons skilled in the art and may be
pressure. made without necessarily departing from the scope and
Now, assuming that lift truck 10 is traveling for principles of this invention. As a result, the embodiment
wardly in a normal manner, pressurized fluid continues described herein is subject to various modifications,
to pass through inching valve 40 in the previously 35 changes and the like without departing from the scope
described manner. Further assuming that the operator and spirit of the invention with the scope thereof being
desires to inch vehicle 10, he depresses brake pedal 170 determined solely by reference to the claims appended
hereto.
with his foot, thereby causing it to pivot at 172, thus What is claimed is:
exerting fluid pressure on stem assembly 112 and caus 1. In a control apparatus for a vehicle having a trans
ing it to be axially displaced to the right. Brake control mission and including brake means comprising hydrau
valve 164 delays the application of brakes 166 until the lic passage means connecting a source of fluid pressure
predetermined pressure input by the operator is ob to a fluid pressure actuated clutch, an improved inching
tained. The axial displacement to the right of stem as valve interposed in said hydraulic passage means for
sembly 112 is opposed by the bias of spring 128, but selectively manually reducing the hydraulic pressure
once this bias is overcome, land portion annular edge 45 supplied to said clutch in proportion to the degree of
144 will abruptly close off groove 134 and cut off the actuation of said brake means, said improved inching
fluid flow path from cavity 132 in a first stage of opera valve comprising:
tion. Thereafter, pressure will build up in cavity 132 a. an elongated valve body having a through bore
until this pressure exceeds the force exerted on spool with first and second closed ends, said body having
member 86 by spring 104, which, for example, may be 50 an inlet port, an outlet port and multiple drain
on the order of 30 psi, and spool member 86 will move ports, with all of said ports communicating with
to the right. A spool position will be reached where the said through bore;
flow of pressurized fluid into valve 40 will be fully b. a spool member sealingly and slidingly retained
restricted by the closing of groove 54. Thereafter, the within said bore, said spool member including first
combination of spool member 86 and spring 104 will act 55 and second land portions separated by an annular
as a conventional pressure regulator by controlling the groove portion in constant communication with
pressure in conduit 62 to a maximum of about 30 psi. said outlet port, said spool member further includ
Vent groove 150 and port 72 are provided so as to allow ing a passageway through said second land portion
excess fluid to flow from clutch 22 and annular groove and restriction means in constant communication
portion 94 in order to maintain the desired pressure. 60 with said passageway and said annular groove
Additional input by the operator in a second stage of portion;
operation, via brake pedal 170, will cause spring end 138 c. first resilient means between said first closed end
to abut land annular end face 142 after completely elimi and said spool first land portion for biasing said
nating gap 140 and thereafter push spool member 85 to spool member to a first position with an effort
the right with a force which is proportional to the 65 equivalent to a maximum desired clutch slip pres
amount of input. The force of spring 136 will subtract sure, said through bore also including first stop
from the force of spring 104 thereby lowering the regu means for limiting, in one direction, the movement
lated pressure to a progressively lower value as the of said spool member to said first position;
 4,150,737
7 8
d. actuating means sealingly and slidingly retained portion cooperates with said first drain port to regulate
within said through bore and axially spaced from the flow of pressurized fluid from said variable volume
said spool member; chamber.
e. second resilient means within said through bore for 8. The control apparatus of claim 3 wherein said
biasing said actuating means to a first position, said 5 second resilient means is located between said stem
through bore further including second stop means assembly third and fourth land portions.
for limiting, in another direction, the movement of 9. The control apparatus of claim wherein said
said actuating means to said first position; restriction means takes the form of a radial orifice.
f. a variable volume chamber between said spool 10. The control apparatus of claim wherein said
member second land portion and one end of said 10 outlet port is located intermediate said inlet port and
actuating means, said variable volume chamber said second drain port.
being in full communication with a first drain port 11. A control apparatus for a vehicle having a trans
when said actuating means is in its first position, mission with fluid actuated clutch means and hydraulic
said variable volume chamber also being in con brake means, comprising:
stant communication with said spool member pas 15 a. a source of fluid pressure including fluid pressuriz
sageway, said variable volume chamber further ing means therefor;
containing third resilient means between said spool b. a fluid conduit connecting said fluid pressure
member and said actuating means, with the axial source with said clutch means; and
extent of said third resilient means being less than c. an improved inching valve means interposed in
the axial extent of said variable volume chamber said fluid conduit for selectively reducing the hy
when said spool member and said actuating means draulic pressure supplied to said clutch means in
are in their first position; and proportion to the degree of actuation of said brake
g. said actuating means being operatively connected means in two successive stages, said improved
with said brake means, for initially, in a first stage, inching valve means including:
overcoming said second resilient means and mov 25 i. an elongated valve body having a through bore
ing said actuating means to a second position with first and second closed ends, said body
wherein the one end of said actuating means closes having an inlet port, an outlet port, as well as
off said first drain port thereby causing a build-up first and second drain ports, with all of said ports
of pressure within said variable volume chamber communicating with said through bore;
until said pressure exceeds the force of said first 30 ii. a spool member sealingly and slidingly retained
resilient means and causes movement of said spool within said bore, said spool member including
member to a second position wherein said second first and second land portions separated by an
land portion completely closes off said inlet port, annular groove portion in constant communica
with said spool member and said first resilient tion with said outlet port, said spool member
means thereafter controlling the pressure to said 35 further including a passageway through said
clutch to permit inching of said vehicle, whereby second land portion and restriction means in
the solely hydraulical connection between said constant communication with said passageway
actuating means and said spool member positively and said annular groove portion;
restricts the operation of said improved inching iii. first resilient means between said first closed end
valve to pressures below said maximum desired and said spool first iand portion for biasing said
clutch slip pressure. spool member to a first position with an effort
2. The control apparatus of claim 1 wherein further equivalent to a maximum desired clutch slip
input, via said brake means, in a second stage, addition pressure, said through bore also including first
ally moves said actuating means until said third resilient stop means for limiting, in one direction, the
means contacts said spool member and thereby further 45 movement of said spool member to said first
displaces said spool member to a third position wherein position;
said first land portion opens a second drain port and iv. actuating means sealingly and slidingly retained
thereby lowers the pressure to said clutch to a minimum within said through bore and axially spaced from
slip pressure. spool member;
3. The control apparatus of claim wherein said 50 v. second resilient means within said through bore
actuating means comprises a stem assembly that in for biasing said actuating means to a first posi
cludes third and fourth land portions separated by a tion, said through bore further including second
further annular groove portion. stop means for limiting, in another direction, the
4. The control apparatus of claim 3 wherein said movement of said actuating means to said first
spool member first and second land portions are 55 position;
adapted to control said inlet port and said second drain vi. a variable volume chamber between said spool
port, respectively, and said stem assembly third land member second land portion and one end of said
portion is adapted to control said first drain port. actuating means, said variable volume chamber
5. The control apparatus of claim 3 wherein said being in full communication with said first drain
second and third land portions are provided with locat 60 port when said actuating means is in its first
ing portions for centering and locating said third resil position, said variable volume chamber also
ient means. being in constant communication with said spool
6. The control apparatus of claim 3 wherein an annu member passageway, said variable volume
lar inner end surface of said spool second land portion chamber further containing third resilient means
cooperates with said inlet port to regulate the flow of 65 between said spool member and said actuating
pressure fluid into said first annular groove portion. means, with the axial extent of said third resilient
7. The control apparatus of claim 3 wherein an annu means being less than the axial extend of said
lar outer end surface of said stem assembly third land variable volume chamber when said spool mem
 4,150,737
10
ber and said actuating means are in their first tween said actuating means and said spool mem
position; and ber, prior to said third position of said spool
vii. said actuating means being operatively con member, positively restricts the operation of said
nected with said brake means, for initially, in a improved inching valve to pressures below said
first stage, overcoming said second resilient maximum desired clutch slip pressure.
means and moving said actuating means to a 12. The control apparatus of claim 11 wherein said
second position wherein the one end of said actu actuating means takes the form of a stem assembly that
ating means closes off said first drain port includes axially spaced third and fourth land portions,
thereby causing a build-up of pressure within wherein an annular outer end of said third land portion
said variable volume chamber until said pressure 10 cooperates with said first drain port to regulate the flow
exceeds the force of said first resilient means and of pressurized fluid from said variable volume chamber.
causes movement of said spool member to a 13. The control apparatus of claim 11 wherein said
second position wherein said second land por spool member first and second land portions are
tion completely closes off said inlet port, with adapted to control said inlet port and said second drain
said spool member and said first resilient means 15 port, respectively, and said third land portion is adapted
thereafter controlling the pressure to said clutch to control said first drain port.
means to permit inching of said vehicle, with 14. The control apparatus of claim 11 wherein an
further input via said brake means, in a second annular inner end surface of said spool second land
stage, additionally moving said actuating means portion cooperates with said inlet port to regulate the
until said third resilient means physically 20 flow of pressure fluid into said first annular groove
contacts said spool member and thereby further portion.
displaces said spool member to a third position 15. The control apparatus of claim 12 wherein said
wherein said first land portion opens said second second and third land portions are provided with locat
drain port and thereby lowers the pressure to ing portions for centering and locating said third resil
said clutch means to a minimum slip pressure, 25 ient means.
whereby the solely hydraulical connection be k

30

35

45

50

55

65