Abstract: A damped double flywheel, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprises two coaxial inertia masses which are mounted for rotation with respect to each other against the action of springs and a viscous damper. The viscous damper comprises a sealed cavity bounded by two cover plates which are joined together through a spacer element. The viscous damper also includes first teeth directed radially inwards and alternating with second teeth which are directed radially outwardly.At least one of the cover members is provided with a recess in the face of the cover member which cooperates with the said second teeth, with the recess facing the latter and being so positioned as to lie against the corresponding tooth during normal operation, but not when the engine is being started or stopped, so that the viscous damper can operate to full effect under these latter conditions.

Abstract: A torsion damper comprising juxtaposed resilient plates which operate in parallel and are interposed between a support member and a hub. Each resilient plate comprises at least one resiliently deformable arm. The torsion damper has at least two pairs of similar resilient plates. One of the pairs lies between the plates of the other pair and is offset with respect to the other pair by an angle such that the two pairs of plates are radially balanced. The resilient arms of any one pair are aligned with each other.

Abstract: A damped double flywheel comprises two coaxial inertia masses which are mounted for relative rotation, both against the action of a first series of springs and against the action of a viscous damping means. A damper wheel connects the viscous damping means with the first series of springs, and the latter couple the damper wheel with a first damping control means carried by the first mass. A second series of circumferentially acting springs, of greater stiffness than the first series of springs, couples the damper wheel to a second damping control means which is carried in rotation on the second mass.

Abstract: In a damped double flywheel comprising two coaxial inertia masses which are mounted for relative rotation with respect to each other, against the action of springs and a viscous damper having a sealed, fluid-filled, cavity, the viscous damper is mechanically interposed between the two inertia masses, and comprises two closure members which are spaced apart axially by a spacer member so as to define its cavity. Each of the closure members is joined to the spacer member by at least one continuous weld seam.

Abstract: A damped flywheel which comprises a primary part and a secondary part rotatably mounted with each other. A first annular component is associated with the primary part. A second annular component is associated with the second part. Resilient springs are disposed between and in engagement with the first and second annular components. The first annular component is mounted to define a dead clearance in which there is no operation of the resilient spring and an abutment defines the range of annular displacement of the dead clearance.

Abstract: A damped double flywheel, for a motor vehicle, comprises two coaxial inertia masses which are mounted for rotation relative to each other against the action of a first series and a second series of springs. One of the inertia masses includes a damper plate having radial arms.An intermeidate pad is interposed radially between each spring of the first series and an associated spring of the other series. The springs are arranged to cooperate in pairs with the radial arms of the damper plate, and are arranged radially outwardly of the outer periphery of the main disc-like portion of the damper plate.

Abstract: This present invention is concerned with torsion dampers of the kind comprising two coaxial parts which are mounted for rotation with respect to each other against the action of circumferentially acting resilient means in the form of at least one spiral spring comprising a resiliently deformable arm with an inner carrier element and an outer carrier element, one of which is connected through a profiled coupling with one of the rotatable coaxial parts of the damper, for rotation with it.The other (second) carrier element is coupled with the other coaxial damper part (the second coaxial part) through a gripping action, the second coaxial part being subjected to the action of an axially acting spring element which is engaged axially on the second coaxial part and which urges the second carrier element towards a radial thrust surface formed on the second coaxial part, so as to make contact, directly or indirectly, with the thrust surface.

Abstract: A torsion damping device of the kind comprising two rotatable parts with coil springs interposed between them. At least one friction pad is associated with each spring so as to come into engagement with a contact zone of one of the said coaxial parts.In accordance with the invention, there is associated with each of the friction pads an intermediate resilient member which is radially deformable and which has a first engagement zone for engagement with a turn of the spring, together with a second engagement zone for contact with the friction pad, the intermediate resilient member being interposed radially between the friction pad and the spring.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a double damped flywheel of the kind having springs (40), at least one damper plate (30) and guide rings (17, 18). The double flywheel is characterized by a phasing device having thrust pads each of which is interposed circumferentially between two consecutive ones of the resilient springs, the phasing device being mounted for free rotation with respect to the guide rings. The damper plate is centered directly or indirectly by one of the guide rings or by the damper plate in such a way as to divide each of the resilient springs into two operative elements. The double damped flywheel further comprises inserts mounting the resilient springs pivotally on the thrust pads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to annular diaphragm springs for use in clutches and speed changers for automobile vehicles, of the kind having radial fingers separated by orifices alternating with the fingers. According to the invention at least two fingers are each equipped with a fold delimiting a lateral part of the orifice. This stiffens the fingers without increasing the thickness of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A torsion damping device for an automotive vehicle includes two coaxial parts which are mounted for rotation relative to each other. One of these coaxial parts has through openings and the other incorporates a number of arms, and main resilient members mounted in these through openings bear circumferentially on insert members, being arranged to act through the latter against the arms. Centering members are also provided between two adjacent main resilient members. The centering member comprises a spacer member extending between two of the through openings, together with a resilient member acting between the spacer member and the corresponding arm. The spacer member is divided into two centering fingers, separate from each other but with the resilient centering member extending from one of the centering fingers to the other.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a double damped flywheel for automotive vehicles having a mass (20) including at least one damper plate (11) and a reaction plate (14). In accordance with the invention, circumferentially acting delayed action coupling means (30, 130), defining a clearance for initial relative rotational displacement, are provided between the reaction plate and the damper plate so as to establish a common rotation of these two plates after the clearance has been taken up.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a double damped flywheel for use in automobiles. The flywheel has two masses which delimit a first sealed cavity. The first sealed cavity is filled with a first fluid and has a resilient spring disposed within its cavity. A viscous damper is mechanically interposed between the two masses and includes a second sealed cavity which is delimited by the two masses. The second sealed cavity is filled with a second fluid which is different from the first fluid. The second sealed cavity is located generally inwardly of the first sealed cavity.

Abstract: A torsion damping device comprises at least two coaxial parts mounted to move circumferentially relative to one another against the action of elastic units. Inside a coil spring of one elastic unit a stiffer elastic means is housed, comprising in the central zone of the said unit a block of relatively rigid plastic material and two elastic pads each disposed at one of the circumferential ends of the said unit with a predetermined clearance relative to the block.

Abstract: In a clutch suitable for an automobile vehicle, a method of fixing at least one torque transmitting part of the clutch to a clutch plate by means of fixing elements adapted to pass through an opening in the said part and to engage in a blind hole in the said plate, in which the fixing element consists of a stud, adhesive is deposited in the blind hole and/or on the stud, the stud is inserted with a slight play in the blind hole after passing through the opening in the part, and the projecting end of the stud is permanently deformed by means of a tool which spreads the stud to clamp the part.

Abstract: An improvement to a torsion damping device, especially a double damped flywheel, for eliminating contact between the springs and one of the rotatable parts of the device when the springs tend to deform under the effect of centrifugal force. According to the invention, the springs, which are conventionally mounted between two pivoted thrust members, are each replaced by a damping device comprising two springs with a central insert between them, the insert being so shaped as to make contact with the inner surface of the spacing ring. The invention is applicable to an automobile transmission.

Abstract: A friction clutch is provided with a pressure plate arranged to reduce axial shock. According to the invention, the pressure plate has an inner part (25) and an outer annular part (26), the inner part engaging axially in the outer part and inclined tongues (40) being provided coupling the inner part to the cover (13), these tongues being disposed in internal recesses formed in the outer part and particularly in the annular support collar of this part.

Abstract: A diaphragm clutch mechanism comprises a cover, at least one pressure plate, a diaphragm and assembly apparatus securing the diaphragm to the cover. The assembly apparatus comprises on the one hand, retaining members which are coupled to the cover and which have an axial part passing through the diaphragm and an end wing bent over with the aid of a notch in the axial part and defining with the said axial part a wedging elbow, and, on the other hand, a ring wedged in the wedging elbow. According to the invention, the ring is of frustoconical shape with a rounded outer ridge forming a secondary abutment and with inner ridges in contact respectively with the axial part and the end wing of at least one of the retaining members. The invention is particularly applicable to diaphragm clutches for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly for automobiles comprises an annular cover to be attached to a flywheel. An annular pressure plate coupled to the cover by coupling means permitting axial movement of the pressure plate relative to the cover. Axially acting elastic means urge the pressure plate from the cover. Abutment means retain the pressure plate axially after predetermined axial displacement relative to the cover. The cover comprises a transverse front wall on which the axially acting elastic means bear and an axial skirt. A transverse radial rim at the end of the skirt opposite the front wall bears on the flywheel. The pressure plate comprises radially projecting lugs on its outside periphery and the radial rim comprises louvers offset axially from its main part and formed with fixing lands. The coupling means comprise deformable tangs attached at one end to the lugs on the pressure plate and at the other end to the fixing land on the louvers.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is adapted to rotate about an axis in one direction only. It comprises a cover formed with radial openings bordered circumferentially by axially offset fixing and retaining lugs. Tabs on a pressure plate pass through the openings and are linked by circumferential strips to the fixing lugs. They are provided with retaining means adapted to come into bearing engagement against the retaining lugs. The retaining means are part of the rivets which fasten the strips to the tabs, and consist of cantilevered stubs on which axial projections, preferably in the form of radial ribs, may be formed if necessary.