Abstract: A continuously rotating shaft is constructed as a hollow shaft with basically radially, outwardly oriented bores and rotating within a second shaft or hub; for purposes of effecting coupling a friction medium is released from the interior of the hollow shaft to pass through the bores and to fill the gap between the hollow shaft and the hub or the second shaft to effect friction a coupling under utilization of galling.

Abstract: A centrifugally actuated wet plate clutch which is actuated by the centrifugal pressure of its cooling and lubricating fluid. An input housing defines a radial cavity which is partially filled with the fluid and contains sets of interleaved clutch plates respectively mounted to the housing and to an output shaft which is rotatable independent of the housing. A piston adapted to urge the clutch plates together is mounted in the cavity and has a net piston surface opposing the clutch plates. When the housing is accelerated in rotational speed, centrifugal pressure develops in the fluid and acts on the piston to gradually urge the clutch plates together, thereby engaging the clutch.

Abstract: An unbalance vibrator having a shaft 2, with a flyweight 3 rigidly connected thereto, which shaft 2 is mounted in a bearing housing 1, comprises on both sides of this connecting flyweight movable flyweights 5 with flyweight bodies 6 nearly semicircular in cross section and guiding rings 7 nearly semicircular in cross section. The shaft 2 comprises a radial bore on diametrically opposite sides, into which a dog 8 is screwed, and a blind bore 11, into which a locking member 12 is retracted by action of a spring 17. The radial bore 3 and the blind bore 11 are angularly spaced by 90.degree. with respect to the center plane of the flyweight 3 rigidly connected. When the shaft 2 is rotating, the locking member 12 extends from the blind bore 11, such that the movable flyweights 5 are held between the dogs 8 and the locking members 12. The locking members 12 are subjected to hysteresis and are retracted at a rotary speed, which is lower than the loading rotary speed.

Abstract: A hydraulic centrifugal clutch comprises an input shaft; an output shaft; a hydraulic servomechanism including a fixed cylinder fixed to said input shaft, an axially movable piston mounted on said input shaft and forming a first cylindrical chamber in combination with said fixed cylinder, and a fixed piston fixedly mounted on said input shaft and fitted in a cylindrical flange portion of said movable piston for forming a second cylindrical chamber in combination with said movable piston. A friction clutch mechanism is formed between said output shaft and said fixed cylinder, and a diaphragm spring is disposed within said second cylindrical chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch, in particular a centrifugal powder clutch, comprising housing and a rotor mounted for rotation in said housing. The rotor has at least one circumferential groove, each wall of which is provided with a passage that is at an angle different from 90.degree. to the median plane of the rotor, thereby to promote circulation of the powder when the clutch slips.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly for an internal combustion engine including a first flywheel fixed to the engine crankshaft, a second flywheel rotatably mounted on the crankshaft, and a centrifugal clutch arranged between the second flywheel and the engine crankshaft. In a low speed region of engine operation including idling, the second flywheel is held connected to the crankshaft by means of the centrifugal type clutch, adding to the inertial mass thereof. In a high speed engine operation, the second flywheel is disconnected from the crankshaft to materially reduce the inertial mass of the crankshaft and thus enhance the engine acceleration. The flywheel assembly further includes a hydraulic control means for hydraulically connecting the first and second flywheels during disengagement of the centrifugal type clutch so as to ensure sliding and smooth connection or disconnection between the first and second flywheels.

Abstract: A friction clutch having a pair of axially spaced first friction members connected to a first clutch half and at least one second friction member connected to the other clutch half. Both of the clutch halves define a housing for containing a liquid which is free to flow between the first friction members as well as between the second friction member and the first friction members when the second friction member is interposed between the first friction members. The second friction member is supported for movement into and out of axial alignment with the first friction members so that the liquid contained between the first and second friction members will function as the torque transmitting medium to effect a drive from the first clutch half to the second clutch half and vice versa.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for mechanical transmission which includes a two-part casing and an internal rotor with a pseudo-fluid, material between the casing and rotor, wherein a face of the rotor opposite a face of the casing has a succession of grooves or waves which are substantially sinu-soidally shaped in a peripheral direction, and wherein each internal face of the casing has a succession of concave pockets, which are substantially egg-shaped, as formed by an internal section of an egg-shell cut lengthwise through the egg, with the wider end of the egg cut off to a radius which will conform to the inside diameter of the casing, and with the narrower end of the egg cut off to a radius which will conform to the outside diameter of an internal boss within the casing.The two parts of the casing are joined together to form an annulus and the areas separating the pockets are chamfered adjacent the edges of the pockets and are flat or convex between the chamfered portions.

Abstract: A centrifugal regulator comprises a casing containing mercury able to be set in motion by a drive shaft and a coupling means pivotally mounted on a hub. Two chambers of lower density than the mercury are pivoted to two spindles which in turn are pivoted to the casing. Support means are provided for supporting the chambers against two arms of the hub and which comprise two rigid knives each having a double edge. Each of these knives bears, on one edge, against a first bearing supported by one of the chambers and, on the other edge, against a second bearing supported by one of the arms. Spring means for biasing the chambers against the casing and sealing means between the hub and the casing are also provided.

Abstract: In an eccentric drive system including a rotatably mounted driven shaft, at least one primary eccentric mass fixed to the driven shaft for rotation therewith, an additional eccentric mass mounted for rotation with the shaft in a manner to permit periodic adjustment of the angular position of the additional mass relative to that of the primary mass, the shaft is provided with a shaft portion presenting an outer periphery which is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the shaft, the additional mass is mounted on the shaft portion to be angularly movable relative to that portion, and the system is further provided with a spring element connected between the additional mass and the shaft for producing a force about the axis of the shaft urging the additional mass into an initial angular position relative to the shaft, and with a fastening unit disposed between the shaft and the additional mass and actuatable between a released position in which it permits the additional mass to undergo angular displac

Abstract: A dry fluid drive having a rotatable housing with a cavity therein and a rotor disposed in the cavity, the rotor consisting of a radially extending center portion and a laterally extending flange disposed at the periphery of said rotor center portion. The flange which preferably is disposed at right angles to the center portion and extends laterally on both sides thereof, contains a plurality of openings to assist in the distribution of the dry fluid in the housing which is so constructed and designed that a restricted area is provided at the cavity periphery in which the flange is disposed. Ribs or other types of protrusions are preferably on the periphery of the flange to improve the transfer of torque between the housing and rotor.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for controlling the transfer of rotation from a rotatable driving member to a rotatably mounted driven member comprises a spider driven within a drum having an interior wall surrounding the spider. The spider has outwardly radiating arms which receive clutch shoes between alternate pairs of adjacently disposed arms. The clutch shoes are equipped with outrigger means providing anchors for the ends of springs which interconnect circumferentially adjacent clutch shoes. The outrigger means support the ends of the springs circumferentially outwardly from the clutch shoes in a position which enables centrifugal forces to bow the springs outwardly and thus change the direction of force exerted by the springs on the clutch shoes.

Abstract: The specification discloses a clutch assembly made up of a sleeve and a hub supported on each other for free rotation and being suitable for connecting a drive member to a driven member. The hub and sleeve have friction discs attached to them and the friction discs engage a pressure ring. A supply of oil under pressure is connected to the cavity that receives the clutch plate and when oil is admitted to the friction ring cavity it first fills this cavity then spills over into a cavity containing an actuating piston connected to the pressure ring where the oil forces the actuating piston together with the pressure ring into engagement with the clutch plates thereby forcing them into frictional engagement with each other. A reaction force against the clutch plate is provided by a pressure and adjusting ring from which a reaction force is transmitted to the clutch plate through a Belleville spring. By means of the adjusting ring, the pressure at which the clutch plates will slip can be adjusted.

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 clutch for coupling an engine to a transmission gearbox engages and disengages automatically in response to engine speed variation. Springs hold the clutch pressure plate retracted from the clutch discs at idling speeds. As engine speed increases, centrifugally generated fluid pressure in the clutch lubricant overcomes the spring force and applies a modulated engagement pressure to the discs. An internal valve continuously supplies an oil flow to lubricate and cool the clutch components and to charge the centrifugal pressure-generating means. Retraction of the pressure plate shifts the valve to reduce the oil flow while the clutch is disengaged. This reduces viscous drag within the clutch and thereby assures a more controlled disengagement. Retainer means stores some of the reduced oil flow to assure that ample fluid is available to the centrifugal pressure-generating mechanism when engagement commences.

Abstract: A dry fluid drive having a housing with a center axis about which the housing rotates, and a cavity therein concentric with the housing, a dry fluid in the cavity, and a rotor with two spaced sections disposed in the cavity with the hub of the rotor in alignment with the center axis of the housing. A reaction vane of generally annular configuration is connected to the housing at the periphery of the cavity and extends inwardly from the periphery between the rotor sections. The reaction vane is provided with openings such as spaces, notches or holes to facilitate uniform distribution of the dry fluid in the cavity as the housing accelerates to full operating rotational speed. The vane may be of either a straight or undulated configuration, and in the latter configuration, the grooves and ribs increase in magnitude from the outer periphery toward the center.

Abstract: A speed-sensitive device comprises a cylinder mounted on a shaft and rotatable therewith. The cylinder contains liquid that is pushed by the action of centrifugal force against a piston, the piston being connected to engage a clutch when the shaft speed reaches a predetermined minimum value. A speed-sensitive valve opens a bore connecting the opposite sides of the piston when the speed is above a minimum value to prevent a vacuum affecting the operation. The principal application is to a fluid coupling and the device operates a mechanical clutch that "locks up" the fluid coupling above the predetermined speed to prevent slip losses therein.1. Field of the InventionThe present invention is concerned with a speed sensitive device for power transmissions, and especially but not exclusively with a speed-sensitive lock-out device that is particularly suitable for use with fluid couplings and clutches.2.

Abstract: A delayed-action transmission whereby mechanical coupling between a driven member and a driving member is effected by centrifugal force and the mechanical coupling is controllably delayed.

Abstract: A mechanism which is operable as a clutch or vibration damper comprises two rotatable members. One of the members is mounted coaxially within the other member and has a radial extension which extends into a chamber formed in the other member. Particulate drive transmitting medium is contained in the chamber. Relative rotation between the two members is permitted up to a certain limit velocity, above which the drive transmitting medium, under the action of centrifugal force, provides sufficient frictional contact between the two members as to permit drive to be transmitted between the two members. A passage extends radially outwardly from the chamber. A screen across the passage permits only particles smaller than the particles of drive transmitting medium to escape therethrough out of the chamber in use of the mechanism.

Abstract: A differential torque transmitting device is disclosed which comprises two serially arranged fluid metal couplings and a reducing gear inserted in parallel between the output members of the first and the second coupling. Means are provided to disconnect the reducing gear as the speed of the driven shaft equals that of the driving shaft.