Shafts, Bearings, And Adjusting Devices Patents (Class 192/110R)
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Patent number: 6151766Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-adjusting, prior to engagement of an engine and a transmission, a self-adjusting clutch such as a self-adjusting clutch manufactured by Dana Corporation's Spicer Clutch Division of Auburn, Indiana, known as the Spicer Solo, Adjustment-Free Clutch. The method includes the steps of: a) releasing the clutch pressure to allow the indicator wear tab of the clutch to move; b) positioning an adjustable contact element against the indicator wear tab to limit the movement of the indicator wear tab so as to specifically locate the position of the wear tab and, hence, the position of the release bearing; c) reapplying the clutch pressure; d) taking a reading of the position of the release bearing. Steps a) through d) can be repeated as needed. The adjustable contact element is preferably mounted on a generally U-shape frame having means to attach the frame proximate the clutch and means to adjust the position of the contact element.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth H. Everett
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Patent number: 6102183Abstract: A hydraulic motorcycle clutch system includes a master cylinder, and a slave cylinder. The slave cylinder operates as a clutch release mechanism to disengage a clutch in response to the master cylinder. The clutch release provides a pulling force on the clutch to relieve a compression force applied to clutch disks of the clutch. One embodiment of the slave cylinder includes dual concentric seals and a stepped piston. The stepped piston design provides for reliable control of the travel distance of the clutch release. The clutch release is also self adjusting over a wide variation in clutch disk thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Roland J. Gerken
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Patent number: 6039163Abstract: A method of balancing a clutch disc using one or more balancing weights inserted into balancing voids formed in the clutch disc carrier plate which are trapped between the friction facings. A first method involves determining the imbalance of the complete clutch disc assembly and then partially removing a friction facing so that a balancing weight can be inserted into a balancing void formed in the carrier plate. In a second method, the imbalance of the carrier plate and friction facings are separately measured prior to assembly. The most favorable rotational orientation is determined and then the number, size and location of one or more balance weights are determined and the balance weights are inserted into the balance voids. The friction facings are then assembled to the carrier plate thereby trapping the balance weights in position.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1999Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Michael L. Bassett, Gregory W. Batterton, Andrzej P. Szadkowski
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Patent number: 5967286Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for use with a driven clutch of continuously variable transmission has an adjustor ring that receives a first end of a spring. A follower plate be carried by one of the pulley halves has a surface to interact with the other pulley half. The follower plate receives the adjustor ring. A holding element, a set screw in a preferred embodiment, retains the adjustor ring in a position relative to the follower plate. The mechanism allows rotation of the adjustor ring relative to the follower plate to adjust the spring force.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Starting Line Products, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Hokanson, Allen Roberts, Robert Warbrick
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Patent number: 5951061Abstract: An elastomeric flex joint is provided with a rotational bearing so that torsional stress is relieved by slip of the rotational bearing. In a first embodiment, the flex joint is designed to resist flexing from a mean position at which there is a substantial bend of axial direction, and the rotational bearing does not normally slip. An adjustment mechanism reduces the loading on the elastomeric flex element and the rotational bearing so that the bearing will slip during an initial orientation or during an adjustment of the joint. In a second embodiment, all small torsional deflections are absorbed by the elastomeric flex element, and large torsional deflections are absorbed by the rotational bearing. This is desirable because the elastomeric flex element has a greater fatigue capacity for small oscillations than the rotational bearing. An elastomeric clutch can be used to precisely control the break-out torque.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Continental EMSCO CompanyInventors: Edward J. Arlt, III, Benton Baugh, David C. Riggs
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Patent number: 5947253Abstract: Disclosed is a balancer for a damper in a lock-up clutch. An unbalance-correcting weight which is to be mounted on a retainer plate of the lockup clutch is in a folded form of an E shape formed of a central insert portion and riding portions located on opposite sides of the central insert portion. The retainer plate is provided with a raised portion formed therein. The unbalance-correcting weight is mounted on the retainer plate by inserting the insert portion outwardly in a radial direction between a piston of the lock-up clutch and the raised portion of the retainer plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.Inventors: Hiroshi Yabe, Yoshio Kinoshita
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Patent number: 5924538Abstract: A lever support device for a clutch cover assembly is disclosed, and includes a lever support 16 having a threaded portion 16a at its end portion, a support nut 17 engaged with the threaded portion 16a of the lever support 16 and fitted with the clutch cover 11, a lock plate 18 having an engagement portion 18a engaged with the outer periphery of the support nut 17, at least one oblong mounting aperture 18b in the lock plate 18 which inhibits rotation of the support nut 17, and a fixing member 19 inserted into the mounting aperture 18b in the lock plate 18 with a space 30 for rotation of the lock plate therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Kimura, Yasushi Takehira, Shinichi Noda
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Patent number: 5906258Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure plate 12 that is formed with a plurality of protrusions 12a. The amount of the imbalance in the pressure plate 12 is measured, the imbalance is then corrected by machining the protrusions 12a in accordance with the amount of determined imbalance.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Exedy CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Kimura, Yasushi Takehira, Shinichi Noda
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Patent number: 5788036Abstract: A synchronizing arrangement for a gear transmission includes a synchronizing ring and the surrounding annular spring, the ring having at least three equally spaced support elements at the circumference of the ring at which the spring is snugly supported with a press-fit about the ring. The support elements and the spring define opposing contact surfaces which are relatively adjustable upon assembly of the annular spring about the ring in order to balance manufacturing tolerances.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik GmbHInventors: Franz Soffa, Manfred Giese
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Patent number: 5762173Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a field member having a hollow in a center thereof and carrying a field coil in the form of a ring, a shaft rotatably placed in the hollow of the field member, a rotor member fixedly attached on the shaft, the rotor member being arranged on one side of the field member, a driving member rotatably mounted on the shaft, the driving member being arranged on one side of the rotor member, and an armature member attached to the driving member, the armature member being arranged between the rotor member and the driving member and bendable toward the rotor member.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kozo Nishimura
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Patent number: 5758756Abstract: A diaphragm-spring friction clutch in which an additional spring is arranged which exerts little or no releasing force in the engaged state and high releasing force in the disengaged state. The spring characteristic of the additional spring can be adapted via adjustable stop elements in order to achieve the desired spring characteristics even with unfavorable tolerances.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Michael Weiss, Reinhold Weidinger
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Patent number: 5699890Abstract: Standard internal combustion engine transmissionm system having an engine crankshaft, clutch, flywheel connecting the engine to a drive gear box, a coupling arbor hub having a planar face and a complementary planar face on the flywheel, and a plurality of bolts securing the flywheel to the arbor hub with the planar faces abuting each other. The flywheel has a clutch surface which can be resurfaced by machining to extend the life of the flywheel. The invention reestablishes substantially the same position of the clutch surface after machining as when the clutch surface was new. It includes one or more planar annular plates having a pair of parallel surfaces spaced apart by the thickness T of the planar annular plate member, the thickness T being substantially the amount of metal removed during the machining of said surface, the annular plate member having a plurality of bolt holes, one for each of the bolts to pass therethrough, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Inventor: Roger Swenson, Sr.
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Patent number: 5690204Abstract: A hydraulic actuator consists of a cylinder and a piston whose primary face is acted on by a working fluid and from whose secondary face protrudes a piston rod, the working fluid being furnished by a pressure fluid source. In order to allow for fast shifting at a precise point in time even at lowest ambient temperatures, a secondary circuit leads from the pressure fluid source via a changeover valve through channels in the wall of the cylinder and through the cylinder space to the secondary side of the piston, the changeover valve being selectively operated in order to allow working fluid to act on the primary side of the piston. By this secondary circuit, the actuator is kept at working temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch AktiengesellschaftInventor: Anton Schonleitner
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Patent number: 5655641Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a clutch disc for a friction clutch, in which two identical cover plates are used, each of which has areas with different outside diameters, whereby the area with the larger diameter has the openings for fastening rivets for lining carriers and the openings for the location of balancing rivets, and the areas with the smaller diameter make it possible to have access with a tool for peening the rivet heads from the other side. The individual cover plates are also assembled to one another in mirror inversion.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1995Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Norbert Ament, Dieter Bernhard
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Patent number: 5638935Abstract: A centrifugal clutch comprises a rotating input drive member, a rotatable output driven member, at least one drive plate mounted for rotation with the drive member, at least one clutch disc mounted for rotation with the driven member and being disposed adjacent the drive plate, a pressure plate mounted for rotation with the drive member and including at least one pair of seats, at least one pair of weighted balls disposed in the pair of seats in the pressure plate, and at least one pair of springs attached to the pressure plate. Each spring of the pair of springs contacts and retains one ball of the pair of balls seated in a respective pressure plate seat. The springs resist outward radial movement of the balls and axial movement toward the drive plate of the balls.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Inventor: Thomas C. Fehring
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Patent number: 5573096Abstract: A shifting device of a positively engaging clutch, such as a dog clutch, in a housing of a differential or transfer case comprises a shift fork for axial displacement of one of the coupling elements of the dog clutch, and an actuator with an actuator rod which supports the shift fork and causes it to engage against one of the coupling elements. For precise adjustment of the stroke position and the stroke of the actuator, an adjusting element is disposed between the actuator and the shift fork. The adjusting element has a surface which constitutes a stop surface for a hub of the shift fork. The axial position of the adjusting element may be adjusted by threads which mesh with internal threads of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch AGInventor: Friedrich Erlebach
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Patent number: 5562193Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing and adjusting a clutch assembly in a vehicle is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, a bracket having a plate that simulates a clutch brake and having a measurement device, is mounted on a flywheel housing in which a clutch assembly having a release bearing is mounted. The measurement device is encased by a cover and securely fixed to the bracket, and measures the distance between the plate and the release bearing. In a preferred embodiment, the measurement device has a slidably movable member that may be extended between an outer surface of the plate and an outer surface of the release bearing, thereby measuring the distance between the two surfaces. In order to ensure that an accurate measurement is made, the measurement device is zeroed when an end surface of the slidably movable member is substantially flush with an outer surface of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1994Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: Paccar IncInventor: Ken H. Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 5507587Abstract: A clamp device is provided which is operable with extreme ease for clamping and unclamping a rotary shaft portion under remote control and which is capable of exerting a great clamping force and unlikely to displace the shaft axis. The clamp device includes a fixed sleeve (10) radially elastically deformable, rotatably supporting the shaft portion (7) and having a tapered surface (12) over a periphery thereof on the opposite side of a shaft supporting portion (11) thereof, a rotatable clamp member (17) having a tapered surface fitting to the sleeve tapered surface (12) with rollers (15) provided therebetween, the rollers being arranged as inclined with respect to the axis of the sleeve, and a drive unit (23) for rotating the clamp member.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Nikken Kosakusho Works, Ltd.Inventor: Masakazu Matsumoto
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Patent number: 5504961Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle section having a motor drive and a drive shaft coupled to the motor drive by a translating device, and a brush section having bristle assembly and a transmission shaft unit coupled to the drive shaft and driven by it to turn the bristle assembly back and forth alternatively, the transmission shaft unit consisting of a driving member, a connecting member, a driven member, and a compression spring, wherein the transmission shaft unit disengages from the drive shaft upon an overpressure to prevent damage to the bristles.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Inventor: C. S. Yang
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Patent number: 5505286Abstract: A motor vehicle friction clutch having a flywheel, an annular plate attached coaxially to the flywheel and rotatable with the flywheel and which is biased away from the flywheel by a first spring; a clutch cover assembly secured to the flywheel and comprising a cover, a pressure plate and diaphragm spring, and a clutch driven plate sandwiched between the pressure plate and the annular plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1994Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Assignee: Automotive Products, plcInventor: Ian Anthony Nash
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Patent number: 5495928Abstract: A clutch assisted operation apparatus has a frame to one end of which are attached the bases of a pair of flat springs, with the free ends of the springs extending towards the other end of the frame being pivotally connected to one end of a pair of linking rods, the other end of each of which are supported by a clamp bracket clamped on a clutch cable that passes through the frame. When the clutch lever is not being operated, the free ends of the springs are pushed away from each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Inventor: Koichiro Sando
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Patent number: 5482149Abstract: A clutch/brake unit used to transmit torque from an electric motor to a gear reducer, particularly in processes that involve cyclical, start-stop operations. A special output shaft of the clutch/brake has a split portion which projects from the housing and receives a tapered plug within a tapered cavity. A bolt has a threaded connection with the plug to create wedging action which radially expands the split portion of the shaft when the bolt is turned in one direction. This expansion of the shaft creates a frictional coupling with the input hub of the gear reducer. The frictional coupling can be released by turning the bolt in the other direction to relieve the wedging force and allow the split portion of the shaft to contract radially.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: The Carlson Company, Inc.Inventor: Rodney D. Bruntz
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Patent number: 5472073Abstract: A vehicle drive shaft disconnect assembly adapted to be retrofitted into the conventional tubular drive shaft of the vehicle for disconnecting the vehicle automatic transmission from its rear wheels to prevent damage to the automatic transmission while the vehicle is being towed. The tubular drive shaft is cut to provide a first shaft portion extending rearwardly of the vehicle to the rear wheels and a second shaft portion extending forwardly to the vehicle automatic transmission. A core member is inserted into the tubular shaft and extends between the first and second shaft portions. The portion of the core positioned in the second shaft portion is fixed therein while the first shaft portion is rotatably mounted on the portion of the core positioned therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Inventor: Earl W. Hay
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Patent number: 5447218Abstract: A hydrokinetic coupling apparatus or fluid coupling, especially for a motor vehicle, includes a lock-up clutch which comprises a device in the form of a piston and a torsion damper. The damper is arranged beside one of the faces of the piston which is referred to as the fastening face. The piston has a plurality of integral projecting elements on which at least one balancing plate is fitted.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1993Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: ValeoInventor: Fabrice Tauvron
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Patent number: 5385424Abstract: A clamp device is provided which is operable with extreme ease for clamping and unclamping a rotary shaft portion under remote control and which is capable of exerting a great clamping force and is unlikely to displace the shaft axis. The clamp device includes a fixed sleeve radially elastically deformable, rotatably supporting the shaft portion and having a tapered surface over a radially outer periphery, a rotatable clamp member having a tapered surface fitting to the sleeve tapered surface with rollers provided between the clamp member and the tapered surface the rollers being arranged as inclined with respect to the axis of the sleeve, and a drive unit for rotating the clamp member.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1992Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: Nikken Kosakusho Works, Ltd.Inventor: Masakazu Matsumoto
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Patent number: 5377802Abstract: A friction pad for use in a friction engagement device such as a brake or clutch. The friction pad includes a friction lining, a sensor and an actuator. The sensor senses an operating condition such as pressure applied to the friction lining and emits a signal that is directly or indirectly sent to the actuator. The actuator changes shape in response to the signal and thereby causes a change in the structure of the friction pad.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Inventor: Russell D. Ide
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Patent number: 5238094Abstract: A pulley driven rotor shaft and electromagnetic clutch assembly for a refrigerant gas compressor having a stationary housing enclosing compressor pumping elements includes a housing extension that forms a pulley bearing support, the hub of the pulley forming a main bearing support for the rotor shaft, the pulley being connected drivably to a clutch engagement plate and a clutch friction plate drivably connected to the rotor shaft, the housing extension enclosing the clutch engagement plate and electromagnetic clutch elements including the friction clutch plate thereby reducing clutch engagement noise.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1993Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Duane F. Steele
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Patent number: 5191810Abstract: A manual transmission modular clutch unit is provided comprising a clutch cover assembly, a clutch friction disc assembly, and a flywheel disc assembly which modular clutch unit may be pre-assembled and balanced off line prior to shipment to a vehicle assembly plant. The manual transmission modular clutch unit contains each clutch component with the exception of an engine starter ring which is customarily attached to the clutch flywheel disc. A unique attaching arrangement is provided for the pre-installation of an automatic transmission drive plate on each engine crankshaft of a vehicle assembly line. As the drive plate is interchangeable with either a manual transmission modular clutch unit or an automatic transmission torque converter both manual and automatic transmission vehicles may be built on a common assembly line while minimizing both labor and parts.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1992Date of Patent: March 9, 1993Inventors: Barrie G. Craft, Peter Doll, Frank Martin
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Patent number: 5158279Abstract: A magnetic clutch provides an adjustable slip torque. A housing, having an outer surface of a predetermined frictional coefficient, is disposed around a portion of a shaft, and is rotatable relative to the shaft An outer magnetic member is disposed on the inner surface of the housing, and an inner magnetic member is attached to the shaft and disposed within the housing. The slip torque is adjusted by varying the amount of surface area exposure between the inner magnetic member and the outer magnetic member.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1991Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Kathleen M. Laffey, Russell J. Sokac, Michael J. Martin, Lloyd W. Durfey, Gerald Garavuso
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Patent number: 5141090Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch 10 for transmitting torque includes a field coil assembly 16, a rotor assembly 18 and an armature assembly 20. The field coil assembly 16 includes a toroidal electromagnetic coil 22. The rotor assembly includes a tubular portion 42 mounted on a bearing 36, a ring-shaped section 52 with an attraction surface 54, an outer drum-shaped flange 56 and a drive ring 60. The armature assembly 20 includes an armature hub 62, rubber stops 70, ring-shaped armature 74 and spring steel connecting members 72 connecting the armature to the armature hub. The armature hub 62 includes a central hub 64 with a bore 66 and a stopper plate 68. The bore 66 receives a splined shaft 14 and an air gap adjustment screw 88. A shaft contact surface 94 on the air gap adjustment screw 88 contacts the forward end 96 of a splined shaft 14.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1991Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Ogura CorporationInventor: William B. Trojan
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Patent number: 5139126Abstract: A clutch control device comprises a rotatable driving member to which one end of a traction cable is circumferentially attached, the traction cable having a coupling piece at its other end. The control device also includes a sleeve member which is in telescopic engagement with the coupling piece, with releasable locking means arranged between the sleeve member and the coupling piece. The sleeve member is arranged for connection to a control linkage, leading for example to a clutch pedal; and the control device also has a spring which urges the sleeve member towards the coupling piece. Any wear occurring upstream of the device, for example in the associated clutch, is automatically taken up due to the provision of resilient preloading means which tend to maintain the traction cable under tension and which act between the fixed support or housing member of the assembly and the coupling piece, which is thereby biassed towards the sleeve member.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1991Date of Patent: August 18, 1992Assignee: ValeoInventors: Carlos L. Perez, Jose F. F. de Mera
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Patent number: 5127505Abstract: A clutch of the kind having a plurality of friction discs also comprises: a reaction plate; a cover plate; an intermediate crown; and at least one intermediate pressure plate, which is rotatable with the crown but movable axially with respect to the latter; and driving means carried by the crown for effecting the said axial movement, the cover plate having a skirt portion in which apertures are formed. The intermediate crown is in the form of a simple ring, and the driving means comprise at least two dowels projecting axially from the ring that constitutes the intermediate crown, with each dowel engaging slidingly in a hole which is formed in a radially projecting lug of the intermediate pressure plate, each of these lugs lying in one of the apertures in the cover plate skirt portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1991Date of Patent: July 7, 1992Assignee: ValeoInventor: Carlo Beccaris
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Patent number: 5070984Abstract: An adjustable centrifugal clutch is disclosed which allows compensation to be made for wear on mating frictional members. The centrifugal clutch comprises a rotating input housing, a rotatable output shaft, clutch rings, clutch disks, a pressure plate, centrifugal weights, and an adjustment collar for varying the distance between the centrifugal weights and the pressure plate. As friction wears away material from the clutch rings and the clutch disks disposed therebetween, the adjustment collar is advanced upwardly within the input housing thereby maintaining a constant engagement speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1990Date of Patent: December 10, 1991Inventor: Thomas C. Fehring
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Patent number: 5064040Abstract: An oil passage connection between a shaft and a clutch drum is sealed by intentionally providing an imbalance in the forces acting on splines mounting the clutch drum to the shaft. The sides of at least some of the splines are angled, so that at least some part of any torque applied between the clutch drum and shaft is resolved into radial components. By providing a differing number of splines, or an asymmetrical positioning of the splines, the net force can be designed to force the sides of the shaft and the clutch drum adjacent to the oil passage tightly together. This is most easily accomplished by simply omitting one or more splines from the clutch drum on either side of the oil passage. With such a structure, the same splines on the shaft can be used to mount gears and the like, which normally require symmetrical distribution of forces.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1991Date of Patent: November 12, 1991Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Douglas R. Johnson
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Patent number: 5052537Abstract: A rotary travel limit stop apparatus having a first rotary member (10) and second and third independently rotatable members (14 and 20) having slightly different numbers of gear teeth which engage the gear teeth on a first member (10) carry a movable stop pin (30) which is adapted to engage a fixed stop member (40) only during a revolution near the limit stop position of a controlled element such as an aileron. A stop plate (54) carrying a fixed stop member (40) is angularly adjusted by rotation of a screw (70) which is received by a barrel nut (64) that is coupled to the stop plate (54) by a protuberance (66).Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1989Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: Sundstrand CorporationInventors: John D. Tysver, Gerald H. Johnson
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Patent number: 5016743Abstract: A vehicle comprising a wet type main clutch mounted in an oil bath within a clutch housing. A flywheel housing is removably attached to a forward end of the clutch housing, with a partition wall in between for preventing oil flow from the clutch housing to the flywheel housing. A clutch input shaft extends through the partition wall, with a forward end splined to a flywheel. A clutch output shaft coaxial with the clutch input shaft has a rear end thereof connected through a spline connection to a change speed shaft extending forwardly through a rear wall of the clutch housing. A geometric engaging device having an aligning function is provided between the clutch output shaft and change speed shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1989Date of Patent: May 21, 1991Assignee: Kubota Ltd.Inventor: Masayor Kajino
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Patent number: 5007517Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly includes a hub, a support plate and at least one reinforcing plate mounted on and rotatable relative to the hub, a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners connecting together the support plate and the reinforcing plate, and a coaxial spring damper. In an alternate embodiment, the support plate is attached to one of a pair of outer covers positioned on opposite sides of a flange radially extending from the hub and rotatable relative to the hub. An apparatus for adjusting hysteresis in the damper includes a backing plate mounted on the hub with facing material abutting either the fasteners or the other cover for applying an axial load to the support plate. The load is selectively adjustable through a threaded locking nut and wave washer mounted on the hub.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1989Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Assignee: Dana CorporationInventor: Richard A. Flotow
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Patent number: 5003685Abstract: A clutch for a cooling fan for a motor vehicle and method of making the same are provided, the clutch comprising a shaft having a knurled portion that press-fittingly receives an inner race member of a bearing, the shaft having a solid ring shaped portion disposed adjacent the knurled portion and being provided with an outer diameter about equal to that of the outer diameter of the knurled portion and having part of the inner race member of the bearing press-fitted thereon whereby the solid ring shaped portion is adapted to block the flow of viscous fluid out of an enclosed chamber of a housing of the clutch by way of the slots which define protuberances of the knurled portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1989Date of Patent: April 2, 1991Assignee: Dayco Products-Eaglemotive, Inc.Inventor: David J. Settles
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Patent number: 5002171Abstract: A method of adjusting a nose portion of a clutch lever includes providing a pair of lever mounting brackets on a clutch cover. The mounting brackets, which control pivotal movement of the tail portion of the lever, have ears which are angularly displaced by a fastener to effect adjustment of the nose portion to a desired position relative to the clutch cover. This procedure permits the use of relatively common hardware without requiring additional expensive or cumbersome apparatus. In one preferred form, the adjustment technique utilized a five inch lever, and provided approximately 0.090 thousandths of an inch of adjustment of the nose end of the lever, with an associated angular displacement of the clutch bracket ears of only 2-5 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1990Date of Patent: March 26, 1991Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: James K. Tarlton, Sr., Steven L. Dunn
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Patent number: 4984669Abstract: A drum assembly for a centrifugal clutch which is rotatable about an axis of rotation is disclosed. The drum assembly has a generally cylindrical drum having an open end with a peripheral interior circular track extending concentrically around the axis. The circular track is to be engaged by throw weights of a driver when the driver reaches sufficient rotary velocity. The opposite end of the cylindrical drum has a central neck defining a passage therethrough into which an output shaft is fitted. The output shaft is brazed to and extends axially away from the neck and has a central, axially extending recess in its end away from the drum. A plurality of identical washers formed as a stack are embedded into the recess each having a central noncircular opening and a circular rim having a progression of sharp tooth-like serrations. The washers are composed of material harder than the material of the output shaft so that the serrations can be embedded in the recess.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1989Date of Patent: January 15, 1991Assignee: Inertia Dynamics CorporationInventor: Ronald J. Hoffman
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Patent number: 4926994Abstract: Basic clutch control data is stored in an electronic control unit which controls a clutch actuator. An automatic clutch control apparatus has a setting unit for setting an amount of fine adjustment of an amount or speed of engagement of a clutch. The basic clutch control data is corrected by an amount of fine adjustment set by the setting unit for controlling the operation of the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1989Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventors: Toshifumi Koshizawa, Kiyomi Ohkawa, Teruhiko Horiuchi
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Patent number: 4909369Abstract: In an electromagnetic clutch with a fixed mounted coil body (7), a spacer in the form of a bushing is placed between coil body (7) and rotating bodies (2, 13, 5) to center said rotating bodies (2, 13, 5) of the clutch during assembly. Spacer (8) is made of a material that wears rapidly and exhibits bearing properties. As the clutch commences operation, the spacer abrades rapidly allowing the rotating bodies to run freely.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1987Date of Patent: March 20, 1990Assignee: Binder Magnete GmbHInventor: Edmund Bausch
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Patent number: 4901830Abstract: A housing mounts an input shaft with a clutch flange thereon, an output shaft with a clutch plate thereon, and bearings, sleeves and adjustment nuts for retaining the shafts in selected axially adjusted positions. The clutch plate and flange extend within a clutch chamber of the housing. Friction linings are mounted on the radial outer portion of the flange on opposite sides thereof. The radial outer portions of the plate and flange have depressions into which the linings extend whereby the axial dimension of the chamber is less than the combined axial dimensions of the linings and the plate and flange radially inwardly of and adjacent to the depressions. Switching apparatus provides a pressure differential on axial opposite sides of the plate to eleastically deform the plate between a neutral position, a braking position and a driving position.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1988Date of Patent: February 20, 1990Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventor: Henrik Dolby
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Patent number: 4899863Abstract: A clutch for a cooling fan for a motor vehicle and method of making the same are provided, the clutch comprising a shaft having a knurled portion that press-fittingly receives an inner race member of a bearing, the shaft having a solid ring shaped portion disposed adjacent the knurled portion and being provided with an outer diameter about equal to that of the outer diameter of the knurled portion and having part of the inner race member of the bearing press-fitted thereon whereby the solid ring shaped portion is adapted to block the flow of viscous fluid out of an enclosed chamber of a housing of the clutch by way of the slots which define protuberances of the knurled portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1988Date of Patent: February 13, 1990Assignee: Dayco Products-Eaglemotive, Inc.Inventor: David J. Settles
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Patent number: 4899860Abstract: An original, replacement, or aftermarket mechanism which responds to predetermined maximum torque levels to decouple a radiator fan from the rotation of a driving element, usually a water pump. The mechanism includes variable mounting adaptations which can accommodate water pumps and fans of different lengths, diameters and required physical location so that a large number of vehicular applications can be satisfied with a few different size fan clutch mechanisms. The mechanism includes a rotor case connected to the fan and a rotor connected to the water pump. The rotor is positioned in a cavity in the case and is immersed in nonlinear fluid such as silicon fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1988Date of Patent: February 13, 1990Inventor: Paul W. Diederich
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Patent number: 4895232Abstract: A torque converter has a converter cover secured to a crankshaft of an engine, an input shaft, a turbine secured to the input shaft, and a lockup clutch including a lockup piston. A pilot boss having an axial hollow therein is secured to the converter cover. An outer end of the pilot boss is engaged with a hole formed in the crankshaft, and an inner end of the pilot boss is rotatably mounted in a hub of the turbine, thereby rotatably supporting the turbine. An oil passage is formed in the input shaft and the pilot boss, for supplying release oil to a release side chamber formed between the converter cover and the lockup piston so as to disengage the lockup piston from the converter cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1989Date of Patent: January 23, 1990Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshio Kobayashi
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Patent number: 4887703Abstract: An overriding clutch having a housing, an outer body, and an inner body, wherein the outer body and inner body are rotatable about a clutch axis. The outer body includes a peripheral wall with a radially inner surface and includes an end wall connected to the peripheral wall and to a first shaft portion. The inner body includes an annular wall portion and a second shaft portion connected to the annular wall portion; and has a compression member with a pair of diametrically opposite roller members. The compression member has a center portion and has a pair of enlarged end portions, which are received in a pair of bearing holes in the annular wall portion. The enlarged end portions have a pair of radially outer sides with a respective pair of end bearing surfaces for urging the respective roller members against the radially inner surface by equal and opposite radial forces, for transmitting a torque from the inner body to the outer body.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1988Date of Patent: December 19, 1989Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: Eugene A. Moore, Elmer B. Lutz
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Patent number: 4848549Abstract: A coaxial adjustable hydraulic clutch actuator of the invention for use with an automotive transmission and clutch, as in a racing vehicle for coupling power from the engine to the transmission. The transmission has a power input shaft and the clutch has actuating elements, the engine and transmission being joined by a bell housing. The actuator includes a base housing configured for retaining a bearing of the input shaft. A sleeve extends forwardly from the base housing coaxial with the input shaft. A piston is fitted coaxially within the sleeve and is received within an annular hydraulic fluid chamber to which hydraulic fluid is supplied under pressure from exteriorly of the bell housing. A clutch throw-out bearing is carried coaxially by the piston for being driven into throw-out engagement with the actuating elements of the clutch by movement of the piston in response to the hydraulic fluid pressure for clutch actuating operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1988Date of Patent: July 18, 1989Assignee: Chipper Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Kammler, Charles L. Thomas
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Patent number: 4830165Abstract: A drive mechanism rotates a shaft of a station of a reproduction apparatus about an axis. The station is movable in the reproduction apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to the axis to engage the shaft with the drive mechanism and disengage the shaft from the drive mechanism. As the shaft is moved into engagement with the drive mechanism, the mechanism can move with respect to the axis so that the drive mechanism is adjusted to receive the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1987Date of Patent: May 16, 1989Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Vladimir S. Guslits, Steven P. Bailey
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Patent number: 4804874Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch of the type which includes a rotor secured around a rotation shaft, a drive member rotatably mounted around the rotation shaft, an armature mounted through a resilient member to the drive member with a gap to the rotor, a bearing mounted around the rotation shaft, a yoke mounted around the bearing for rotation about the rotation shaft, and the yoke locking mechanism for locking the yoke to a frame so as to prevent the yoke from accompanying the rotation shaft when the rotation shaft is rotated, the yoke having a coil wound therearound, and in which the rotor, the armature and the yoke are arranged to form a magnetic path so that the armature is electromagnetically attracted to the rotor for transmitting torque from the drive member to the rotation shaft when the coil is energized.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1987Date of Patent: February 14, 1989Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroaki Nakamura