Abstract: The housing of a hydrokinetic torque converter in the power train between the engine and the transmission of a motor vehicle contains a lockup valve which can be engaged to transmit torque directly from the output element of the engine to the output member of the turbine in the housing. Engagement of the lockup clutch at a relatively low RPM of the engine and/or under certain other circumstances is prevented or minimized by the provision of one or more valves which are designed to establish or to at least partially seal one or more paths for direct flow of hydraulic fluid between two compartments forming part of a chamber in the housing of the torque converter and being disposed at opposite sides of the axially movable piston of the lockup clutch. The valve or valves can be designed to react in response to changing RPM of the housing of the torque converter, in response to changes of the temperature of hydraulic fluid in the housing and/or in response to changes of the viscosity of such fluid.

Abstract: A coupling for transmitting torque between two parts (14, 20; 16, 24) which are rotatable relative to one another, comprising a friction coupling (12) whose friction elements (15, 17) are each non-rotatably connected to the one and the other of the parts (14, 20; 16, 24) which are rotatable relative to one another, with the friction coupling (12) being loadable by at least one movable piston (19) which, at one end, delimits a pressure chamber (21) which is filled with a viscous fluid, which is connected to a reservoir (26), whose rotational housing (20) is formed by the one of the rotatable parts (14, 20) and by the piston (19) sealed relative thereto and in which there rotates a rotational member (22) connected to the other one of the rotatable parts (16, 24), with rotational faces of the rotational member (22), together with counter faces of a pumping and control member (23) positioned in the pressure chamber (21) constituting at least one sealed shear channel (38) which, in the respective direction of rela

Abstract: A coupling for transmitting torque between two parts has a friction or viscous coupling. The friction coupling is loaded by a piston and rotational member. A shear channel is formed between faces such that viscous fluid contained in the chamber is moved along the shear channels wherein the piston is loaded as a result of shear forces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a retarder control system for protection against transmission overspeed. The system operates in conjunction with a rotatable input member and an output member that is rotatable relative to the input member. A torque transfer device is operatively connected between the relatively rotatable input and output members. Specifically, a piston assembly is operated by an input control chamber that selectively receives pressurized hydraulic fluid which effects translation of the piston assembly to actuate the torque transfer device and thereby effect a driving connection between the relatively rotatable input and output members. The present system is adapted to control a hydrodynamic retarder assembly having a work cavity to receive hydraulic fluid. The retarder input valve assembly is supported from one of the relatively rotatable members selectively to deliver pressurized hydraulic fluid from the input control chamber to the retarder cavity.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission apparatus has: a swash plate hydraulic pump having a pump cylinder block; and a swash plate hydraulic motor which has a motor cylinder block and is arranged coaxially in a line with the swash plate pump so as to face in the same direction as the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump and motor area connected by a hydraulic passage system. The pump swash plate is provided at a side of the motor cylinder block, the side being close to the hydraulic pump. The motor swash plate is provided at a side of the motor cylinder block, the side being remote from the hydraulic pump, and its tilt angle is varied so as to vary the capacity of the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic passage system has a valve body provided at a side of the hydraulic pump so as to be substantially coaxial with the hydraulic pump. A hydraulic distributor ring is provided so as to be in slidable contact with the valve body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic clutch mounted between a power source and an output shaft.

Abstract: A ball drain valve (2), for the piston space (33) of a rotary clutch disc (3) for releasing the clutch disc piston (32) from pressure generated by rotation of pressurized oil remaining in the piston space when it is bled, including an opening (220), at least two ball spaces (25, 26) and a ball valve (23) actuated by rotation and control pressure. The ball drain valve (2) has two stages coordinated with the engaged and the disengaged positions of the clutch and the two ball spaces (25, 26) have outer diameters (D1, D2) of different sizes so that the ball valve (23), when the multi-disc clutch (3) is engaged, is in ball space (25) of large diameter (D1) and, when the clutch is disengaged, the ball valve is in ball space (26) of small diameter (D2). This arrangement achieves a quick drainage of the piston space (33) past a large gap (250) when the clutch is disengaged and prevents very little pressurized oil from escaping past a small gap (260) when the clutch (3) is engaged.

Abstract: A hydraulic clutch for transmitting torque from an input rotating member to an output rotating member when friction plates are brought into engagement with each other. Hydraulic fluid having pressure depending upon rotational speed of an input shaft is supplied from a hydraulic fluid source into a hydraulic pressure chamber, to cause an urging member to bring the friction plates into engagement with each other when the rotational speed of the input shaft reaches a predetermined value. A control mechanism controls opening and closing of a pressure regulating valve in response to the rotational speed of the input shaft. When the pressure regulating valve is opened, the hydraulic fluid is caused to flow from the hydraulic pressure chamber to a low pressure side, and when the pressure regulating valve is closed, the hydraulic fluid is prevented from flowing to the low pressure side.

Abstract: Stepwise change-speed transmission between the engine and the drive shafts of the driven wheels of a motor vehicle including expansible driving and driven pulleys supported respectively by a main shaft and a driven shaft, and a friction clutch mounted on the driven shaft to transmit drive from the driven pulley to a differential through a geared reversing unit for engaging forward drive and reverse drive. The reversing unit is designed in such a manner as to maintain the forward drive in permanent engagement and can be actuated by a hydraulic actuator to engage the reverse drive.

Abstract: A torque converter equipped with a lockup control unit providing a hydraulic clutch in the torque converter, utilizing a hydraulic power supply for the hydraulic clutch as a feed pump for circulating oil in the torque converter, and providing a control valve between the torque converter and the feed pump, the control valve quickly increasing a pressure of said circulating oil to make the hydraulic clutch engage when an engine rotational speed or a vehicle speed exceeds a prescribed value.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is preferably designed as a multiple-disc clutch. Rotating with one clutch half (22) is a clutch-engaging piston (26) and a pressure chamber (25) into which fluid may be admitted. Against the force of a spring (29), the piston may be subjected to the fluid pressure which is generated in the pressure chamber (25) and which is dependent upon the rotational speed. Arranged beside the pressure chamber is a fluid reservoir chamber (37), communicating with the pressure chamber (25) via connecting conduits (44, 45). With the aid of a control element (48) the filling of the pressure chamber (25) with fluid from the reservoir chamber (37) is controlled during a start-up process. In this manner, the engagement of the clutch assembly is controlled. Thereby delivery of fluid from outside of the clutch assembly is unnecessary.

Abstract: The viscous fluid coupling is comprised of a drive shaft having a hollow casing rotatably mounted thereon with one end of the drive shaft extending into the hollow casing. The interior of the casing is divided into a reservoir chamber and an operating chamber by means of a dividing plate secured within the housing. The rotor on the end of the shaft is rotatably mounted within the operating chamber and a thermostatically responsive valve member is rotatably mounted within the reservoir chamber for controlling the flow of fluid through a first passage extending through the divider plate. A centrifugally responsive valve member is located within the divider plate for providing additional control of the fluid through the first passage from the reservoir chamber to the operating chamber.

Abstract: A fluid power transmission adapted for combination with an engine to drive auxiliary equipment thereto including a rotor arrangement for direct driving connection to the engine crankshaft and a housing assembly rotatably supported on the rotor arrangement and forming therewith a fluid drive circuit to be in driven relation therewith. A centrifugally-actuated valve is radially disposed in the fluid circuit in the housing assembly to remain closed at rotational speeds of the housing assembly less than a predetermined optimum speed and to yield in response to centrifugal forces created upon rotation of the housing assembly at greater speeds for fluid flow in the fluid circuit to create slippage of the housing assembly about the rotor arrangement to limit increases in the rotational speed of the housing assembly over the optimum speed. The housing assembly includes a pulley wheel by which the auxiliary units are driven generally constantly at the optimum speed for maximum efficiency.

Abstract: A friction clutch has an apply piston slidably disposed in a clutch housing and cooperating therewith to form an apply chamber and a feed chamber. The effective area of the apply chamber is greater than the effective area of the feed chamber. Pressurized fluid for clutch engagement is distributed directly to the feed chamber and from there through a restricted passage to the apply chamber. Fluid pressure in the feed chamber is established by a variable regulator valve and operates on the effective area of the piston to urge disengagement of the clutch. Fluid pressure in the apply chamber is established by a pair of centrifugal exhaust control valves having individual speed-pressure relationships. The fluid pressure in the apply chamber acts on the effective area thereof and urges engagement of the clutch. The pressure level in the feed chamber controls the minimum speed of engagement which can be varied by varying the feed pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid-pressure operated mechanism such as a clutch having radial walls defining a fluid-receiving and exhausting chamber between them. The clutch is of the hydraulic-apply, spring-release type, fluid pressure being supplied to engage the clutch and fluid pressure being exhausted to release the clutch. Fluid pressure release is often not rapid enough to enable quick release of the clutch and relief valve means of the centrifugal type is provided to accelerate fluid release. The improvement resides in spring means in combination with the centrifugal valve to prevent operation of that valve during rotation of the clutch at speeds below a predetermined value, whereby to prevent complete dumping of fluid, so as to enable the released clutch to retain a volume of fluid consistent with rapid re-engagement of the clutch when fluid pressure is applied.

Abstract: A disk clutch inserted between a torque converter and a synchromesh gear train of an automotive transmission comprises a driving friction-plate carrier coupled with the turbine of the converter and a driven friction-plate carrier coupled with an input shaft of the gear train, the driving carrier forming two fluidically separated concentric cylinder spaces between itself and an operating piston embraced thereby. The inner cylinder is of smaller effective area and is pressurized in normal operation by hydraulic fluid (oil) but can be temporarily depressurized, during gear shifting, by a valve controlled by the shifting mechanism; this space communicates via an internal flow channel of the driving carrier with a radial bore in that carrier occupied by a centrifugally and/or resiliently loaded body of a quick-venting valve normally blocking an exit port leading from the outer cylinder space to the interior of a surrounding housing.

Abstract: In a transmission having input and output shafts drivingly connected by fluid pressure operated ratio establishing devices an improved centrifugally actuated valve is provided to disestablish the driving connection maximum angular velocity of the input shaft. The valve includes a sphere disposed in a stepped bore which sphere is spring biased to a closed position for normal operation and which shifts in response to centrifugal force to an open position in a fluid flow path thereby exhausting the drive establishing device and also being flushed of any contaminants.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a clutch operable by fluid pressure in an operation space includes a fluid supply conduit, a rotatable control valve with a valve member displaceable by centrifugal force against the force of a biasing spring for connecting the fluid supply conduit to the operation space, and a fluid connection between the operation space and the valve member for supplying fluid pressure from the operation space to the valve member in a direction against the centrifugal force.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated friction plate type clutch having a centrifugally actuated valve for controlling the amount of modulation or engagement of the friction clutch, and apparatus such as a counterweight for counteracting the centrifugal force characteristics of the shiftable valve parts so that the capacity of the clutch remains substantially the same at all centrifugal speeds.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a fluid gear coupling in which the lock up RPM between the drive member or power input shaft and the driven member or power output shaft is variable depending on the torque or power applied to the drive member or power input shaft. The present invention employs valves on the drive member which close off the exit ports of a pump disposed between the drive member and the driven member which are responsive to both pressure and centrifugal force. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, check valves are provided in the main inlet ports of the pump along with auxiliary inlet ports so as to brake the device and prevent freewheeling upon deceleration.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated clutch which transmits torque from an engine output shaft to a transmission input shaft, including a rotatable flywheel connected to the output shaft, an adapter connected to the flywheel for rotation with the flywheel, the adapter having a first annular plate with a fluid passage near the inner periphery of the plate, and a centrifugal piston which defines with the adapter a fluid chamber supporting a rotatable torus of hydraulic fluid. The piston has a second annular plate, slideable with respect to the first plate, and a second fluid passage near the outer periphery of the second plate. The first and second plates, at their inner peripheries, provide a controlled clearance to vary the rate of hydraulic fluid into the first fluid chamber as the second plate slides.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic coupling wherein the rotary motion of a fluid-filled casing is transmitted to a coaxial driven shaft through the medium of a plurality of pistons which have eccentric drive connections with the driven shaft and which work in cylinders that are radially disposed within the casing. Fluid within the casing is pumped by the pistons from a reservoir area within the casing to a manifold area while control valve mechanism variously regulates the bleeding or flow of fluid from the manifold area back to the reservoir area. The cylinders are charged with fluid from a high pressure region of the reservoir which exists by reason of centrifugal force acting through the radial depth of the fluid, such fluid entering the cylinders through intake check valves which are mechanically assisted in their opening movements to insure charging at low differential speeds.

Abstract: A device comprising housing communicating with a pressure source and with e atmosphere through a traversable member operatively interconnected with the engine crankshaft, a link mounted in the housing interior traversably in response to pressure variation thereinside and operatively associated with the clutch actuator. Said link and said traversable member are interconnected through an elastic element. An embodiment of the device of the present invention can be used for transport vehicles with the friction clutches of any type.

Abstract: A vehicle drive transmission comprising an air released main clutch connected between a torque convertor and multiple ratio gear transmisson. A lock up clutch for the convertor turbine and impeller is engaged by hydraulic pressure when an engine drive governor reaches a predetermined speed and opens a governor valve. The main clutch is released by a motor controlled by a solenoid valve which selectively connects the motor to a source of air pressure or to atmosphere via a restricted orifice and a normally closed air inlet valve. The restriction retards the engagement of the main clutch when the engine is rotating below the predetermined speed, and above said predetermined speed, the governor valve opens to engage the lock-up clutch and to open the air inlet valve whereby the main clutch may be engaged at a faster rate.

Abstract: Control valve assemblies for a lock-up clutch in a vehicle drive system, wherein a torque converter normally couples a prime mover with a transmission, vary the degree of engagement of the lock-up clutch with respect to prime mover rotational speed within a predetermined speed range. In the control valve assemblies, a centrifugal valve selectively communicates the fluid pressure operated lock-up clutch with a source of pressure and a fluid drain, with the centrifugal valve having rotor means drivably interconnected with the prime mover. Spool means slidably received within a rotor bore are outwardly displaceable with a first force while resilient bias means oppose and equalize this first force when the prime mover reaches a first predetermined speed, with valve means regulating the flow of pressurized fluid from the rotor means.

Abstract: A control valve having a rotor for communicating outlet port or ports selectively to fluid drain port or to inlet port so as to change flow direction of fluid to be supplied to fluid operated apparatus. The control valve comprises first and second pistons inserted in a hollow space of the rotor and a compression spring arranged between the pistons. At the operation position(s) of the rotor or the valve, the first piston which is biased by the compression spring oscillatingly blocks and reopens fluid passage formed within the rotor outside the first piston for communicating the inlet port to the outlet port(s) under the influence of the compression spring and fluid pressure of the outlet port(s) from which fluid is constantly drained with a small rate through the valve. Fluid pressure of the outlet port may be varied by varying the force of the compression spring by an advance of the second piston.

Abstract: A fluid operated clutch assemblage having axially aligned rotary input and output members, at least one axially movable disc carried by one member and at least one axially movable plate carried by the other member and an axially movable, hydraulically operated piston for causing engagement of the disc and the plate to couple the input and output members. The clutch includes a valve concentric with the input member and axially movable thereon and rotatable therewith. The valve is provided with a first pressure responsive surface and a second pressure responsive surface in bucking relation to the first pressure responsive surface. A spring biases the valve oppositely of the second pressure responsive surface and there is provided an annular, axially expandable chamber including the second pressure responsive surface rotatable with the input member.

Abstract: A torque converter and lock-up clutch in which a single plate fluid operated clutch is disposed between the turbine and the input shell of the torque converter. The clutch engagement chamber is formed between the turbine and the clutch plate while a clutch disengagement chamber is formed between the input shell and the clutch plate. A normally open centrifugally responsive valve is mounted on the clutch and provides a controlled flow path between the engagement and disengagement chambers in response to clutch speed thereby controlling the pressure differential between the chambers when the clutch speed is less than a predetermined value. A normally closed centrifugally responsive valve is mounted on the clutch and provides a controlled flow path between the engagement and disengagement chambers in response to the speed of the clutch, thereby controlling the engagement force of the clutch when the speed of the clutch is equal to or greater than the predetermined speed.

Abstract: A control valve for a fluid operated clutch or the like, including a valve body, a first valve mounted for reciprocation in the valve body, a second valve mounted for reciprocation in the valve body and for relative movement with respect to the first valve, one of the valves being concentric with the other, ports in the valves including a throttling port at the interface of the valves, a manual actuator for reciprocally shifting one of the valves, and a rotatable flyweight assembly for reciprocally shifting the other of the valves. Throttled fluid flow from the valve may be directed to a fluid operated clutch to control its capacity and regulate the output speed thereof.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission apparatus for a vehicle of the type having a high speed clutch of oil pressure operated type interposed in a high speed power transmission system and a low speed clutch of oil pressure operated type interposed in a low speed power transmission system, the clutches being selectively connected through a shift valve to an oil pressure source, a safety apparatus comprising an automatic control valve coupled to the said low speed clutch to operate when the low speed clutch rotates above a predetermined speed to bring the low speed clutch into inoperative condition.

Abstract: A control system, for a rotating clutch having a rotating housing with a cavity adapted to axially slidably receive a clutch actuating piston therein and defining a clutch actuating chamber therebetween, includes a source of fluid, a control valve for infinitely variably supplying the fluid through a path in the housing to the actuating chamber so that the actuating piston is biased in a direction to engage the clutch, a plurality of passages in the housing disposed in fluid communication with the actuating chamber and the path, and including a fluid exhaust passage connecting therewith, and a differentially sensitive centrifugal valve slidably disposed in the passages for relieving fluid from the actuating chamber to the exhaust passage in response to centrifugal force and to fluid pressure in the actuating chamber, and in opposition to fluid pressure in the path in a differential area ratio responsive manner.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic drive and slipping clutch arranged in parallel drive relation to provide a controlled slip input drive to a mechanical gear arrangement. The slip speed of the clutch, and therefore the hydrodynamic drive, is controlled by clutch engagement responsive to differential pressure on the clutch. The differential pressure is maintained by controlling fluid flow through a restriction which has a variable opening responsive to a control element which is movable in response to pressure generated by the speed difference between the hydrodynamic drive input and output to establish clutch engagement of sufficient force to maintain a predetermined slip speed in the hydrodynamic drive.

Abstract: A rotary displacement mechanical coupling device having a casing containing a first and second axially aligned chamber, said chambers having a partition therebetween. A hub is rotatably mounted through the partition and extending into both of the first and second chambers. A plurality of outer gear teeth are circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the first chamber. A crescent is attached to the hub means in the first chamber and has an outer radius substantially identical with the inner radius of the outer gear teeth. A pinion gear has a plurality of teeth on its periphery and has a radius substantially less than the inner radius of the outer gear teeth, is journaled on the hub so that the pinion gear teeth engage at least a portion of the outer gear teeth. The inner radius of the crescent is adjusted to have substantially the same radius as the radius of the periphery of the teeth around the pinion gear.