Abstract: An improved motorcycle slider clutch which utilizes several original equipment manufacturers components, also an aftermarket basket (34), housing gear assembly (44) and a pressure plate (74). The pressure plate engages the nest of discs (32) when compressed by a number of fingers (82) configured to create linear force when subjected to centrifugal action. An enclosure (100) surrounds the basket (34) and retains the fingers. This action defines the first or mechanical stage of operation. A number of counterbalanced fingers (120) are also rotatably contained in the enclosure (100) but are held from engagement with a restraining hub (142) connected to a fluid pressurized cylinder (136). The second, or pressurized fluid actuated stage, is engaged electrically in a timed sequence relieving the pressure allowing the counterbalanced fingers to exert pressure on the clutch discs and plates at the optimum moment.

Abstract: A clutch adjustment and lockup system is disclosed. The system is adapted for use with a centrifugally actuated friction clutch of the type wherein clutch plates and clutch disks are engageable with each other. The conventional friction clutch includes a weight support member having apertures concentric with the plates and disks and is interlocked with the plate for rotation therewith. The conventional support member includes a plurality of pivotable weights causing the plate to frictionally engage the disk upon rotation of the support member. Springs are provided to counteract the weights, thereby resisting frictional engagement of the plates and disks until a predetermined speed is achieved. The improved adjusting system allows remote setting of the speed at which the plates frictionally engage the disk while the vehicle is moving and a lockup system provides increased frictional engagement of the clutch plate and disks.

Abstract: A controller for a centrifugal clutch with circumferentially spaced actuating weights having radially inwardly projecting actuating arms that pivot rearwardly as the rate of rotation of the clutch accelerates and the weights move to increase actuating pressure in and through the clutch. The controller includes a fluid actuated cylinder and piston unit with a piston rod that carries an arm engages throw-out bearing positioned rearward of the actuating arms. The cylinder is normally charged with a fluid medium that urges the piston and rod forwardly to one end of the cylinder and where the throw-out bearing engages and stops the arms in their normal unactuated position.

Abstract: An improved motorcycle slider clutch which utilizes several original equipment manufacturers components, also an aftermarket basket (34) and a housing gear assembly (44). A pressure plate (100) engages the nest of discs (32) when compressed by a number of fingers (114) configured to create linear force when subjected to centrifugal action. A flange (110) encloses the basket (34) and retains the fingers. A cast cover (128) contains a pneumatic cylinder with a piston (140) that restrains movement of the plate in the first stage of actuation and a second piston (156) in a chamber created by a hollow cap (154) providing similar restraint for a second stage. The operation is controlled pneumatically with solenoid valves (146) and a millisecond timer (168) allowing a multi-stage starting sequence at a timed interval.

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: A creep preventive arrangement wherein a start-up pressure regulating valve discharges fluid from a servo chamber of a start-up clutch when a clutch piston assumes a predetermined creep preventive position, and a start-up detecting valve prohibits the fluid discharge from the servo chamber when a torque converter output revolution speed exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch employing a clutch outer, a clutch inner and an arrangement of alternating clutch outer and clutch inner plates. The clutch is actuated by means of an annular piston residing within a cylinder which accumulates oil. Centrifugal forces are generated within the oil to create a pressure which forces the annular piston to compress the clutch plate arrangement. An outlet is provided controlled by a valve about the periphery of the cavity defined by the piston. A clutch actuation means controls the outlet valve to provide for disengagement of the clutch even under rapid rotation.

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 hydraulically-actuated wet clutch assembly which is responsive to torque or speed and is adapted to be utilized as a starting clutch for a continuously variable transmission or similar item. This clutch connects the continuously varying means to the driving gears when the engine speed is increased from idle rpm. The clutch will engage as the fluid pressure increases from idle rpm through a pressure responsive valve or directly with a piston area defined between a piston and a cylinder, with the cylinder and attached pressure plate being movable under pressure relative to the piston to engage a clutch plate located between the piston and movable pressure plate.

Abstract: A vehicular gas turbine engine power system includes an engine, an automatic clutch, a service clutch and an infinitely variable transmission coupled successively along a power train. A vehicle control system controls engine speed, transmission ratio and automatic clutch engagement in response to operator selected ground speed and engine speed commands as well as other vehicle conditions. The vehicle control system operates in a manual mode to maintain engine speed as commanded by an operator or in an automatic mode to maintain an engine speed which will minimize fuel consumption. The transmission ratio is controlled for fixed rate vehicle acceleration toward a commanded speed if sufficient power is available. Otherwise ground speed is cut back to match required power with available power. However, ground speed cut back is limited as a safety feature and disengagement of the automatic clutch prevents engine stall when the engine becomes overloaded.

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 device comprising a motor housing communicating with a pressure source and with the atmosphere through a traversable valve member operatively interlinked with the engine crankshaft, a link accommodated in the hollow space of the housing traversably in response to a pressure variation therein and operatively interconnected with the actuator of the clutch, a magnet for operating the valve member to disengage said clutch. Said operative association of said traversable member with the engine crankshaft is effected through an electric crankshaft speed transmitter and a transducer unit to convert the frequency of a signal from said electric transmitter into a current magnitude, the input of said unit being electrically connected to said electric transmitter and the output thereof, to the coil of said magnet, the armature of which is interconnected with the valve member. The construction of the device is simple, which enables the device to be located practically at any suitable place of a transport vehicle.