Initial Engagement Causes Increase In Applied Force Patents (Class 192/52.5)
  • Patent number: 10975922
    Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated device comprises a self-contained fluid reservoir comprising a tank for receiving a fluid, a reservoir port, and a flexible diaphragm. An actuation member comprises a hydraulically actuated piston in a cylinder. A pump case comprises an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir port, and the outlet port in fluid communication with the actuation member. A pump is within the pump case. The pump can be a reversible pump. The flexible diaphragm can flex in to the fluid reservoir when the pump transfers a fluid from the fluid reservoir to the actuation member and can flex away from the fluid reservoir when the pump transfers fluid from the actuation member to the fluid reservoir. The flexible diaphragm can hermetically seal a fluid within the fluid reservoir and have a second side in communication with atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Anthony Hughes, James Kevin Spring
  • Patent number: 8991580
    Abstract: A clutch is provided with a clutch weight assembly (10), a main driving assembly (20), a plurality of co-rotating elements (30), and a base plate (40). The main driving assembly (20) will be rotated when the power source is activated, and the co-rotating elements (30) are driven synchronously to rotate and then the clutch weight assembly (10) will be driven to rotate synchronously by the co-rotating elements (30). When the speed of the rotation is high enough and the centrifugal force of clutch weight (13) is strong enough to overcome the inward bending strength of the flexible component (14) of the clutch weight assembly (10), then the clutch weight (13) will fly outward to grab the driven part (60) to proceed the slippery engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Wangchang Wu
  • Patent number: 8704960
    Abstract: A deployment system for user interface devices with enhanced interface capabilities and methods for manufacturing and using same. The deployment system includes a main rotating joint system and a device mounting assembly that are coupled via an extension support system. The main rotating joint system enables the deployment system to be installed at any suitable installation location, such as an armrest; whereas, the device mounting assembly is configured to receive a selected user interface device. Advantageously, the deployment system provides an enlarged internal channel for accommodating larger communication cables and a progressive clutch system for supporting the increased weight of the user interface devices. The deployment system thereby can maintain near-constant tension during deployment of the user interface devices, inhibiting drop injuries to users and damage to the user interface devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventor: Todd Weaver
  • Patent number: 8678159
    Abstract: A compelling-type centrifugal clutch device with C-shaped joint structure, in which a C-shaped joint structure assembly (100), which can be bended for displacement, is installed between an active rotary part (101) and a passive rotary part (201) of a centrifugal clutch device with a radial arrangement device and is driven by the active rotary part (101). A joint axial core of C-shaped joint structure (113) is also provided for connecting an active arm of C-shaped joint structure (111) and a centrifugal compelling arm of C-shaped joint structure (112) having a centrifugal force actuation clutch device (119) at one distal end, and a recovery spring (114) is installed between the mentioned two arms, so that an inward-bending prestressed force is formed between the two arms for performing the angular displacement through bending at difference angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20130313061
    Abstract: A clutch having a pre-clutch and a main clutch, where the pre-clutch can be brought to an engaged or a disengaged state by a tensioning means, the pre-clutch being connected to the main clutch by means of an operative connection in such a way that the disengaged position and the engaged position are transmitted to the main clutch, and where the tensioning means is supported on a clutch basket of the main clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Martin Chambrion, Christoph Raber
  • Patent number: 8443953
    Abstract: A clutch with high binding ability comprises a plurality of detent components provided between a left and a right lateral plates and each detent component can be pulled back to its original location by a resilient element. The detent block of each detent component is movably positioned between the left and the right lateral plates. The detent element of each detent component is slidably connected onto the detent block. One end of the detent element is provided with a groove for locating a positioning bar therein. Thereby, when the clutch rotates, the radial force of the detent element can be increased in order to enhance the detent ability of the detent element. When the rotational speed of the clutch is decreased to be the rotational speed of passive driving or to be lower than the rotational speed for engagement, the detent element can be pulled back to its original location by means of the elastic element located between the detent block and the detent element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Jui-Ming Fang, Norman Lien
  • Publication number: 20100282562
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a clutch system may an output member and an input member can be biased to engage one another along opposing clutch surfaces. When input member drives rotation of the output member and a fan blade device secured thereto, the resulting fan thrust provides supplemental engagement to the opposing clutch surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: KIT MASTERS INC.
    Inventors: Craig M. Swanson, Darrin Swanson
  • Patent number: 6848553
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a motor vehicle includes a retainer assembly having an upper and lower portion separable by a separating member. The separable member causes the retainer assembly to contract in response to movement toward a released position. Contracting the retainer assembly in the release position provides for additional clearance between the friction discs and flywheel without a corresponding increase in the length of travel of the retainer assembly. The guide member is stationary relative to the retainer assembly and cooperates with the separating member to cause the retainer assembly to expand and contract during movement to engage and disengage the clutch. Additional movement of the retainer assembly increases clearance to between the flywheel and friction discs without corresponding increase in retainer assembly travel to minimize clutch drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: David R. DePiazza
  • Patent number: 6705447
    Abstract: A hydraulically-operated clutch for an automatic transmission includes a clutch housing assembly with a clutch pack positioned therein. A movable piston is supported in the clutch housing assembly and defines an expandable chamber between the piston and clutch housing assembly. Pressurized fluid is provided to the expandable chamber to effect movement of the piston between engaged and disengaged positions with respect to the clutch pack. The piston and clutch housing assembly are configured such that only a small portion of the expandable chamber is pressurized when the piston is in the disengaged position, thereby providing improved response time for movement of the piston to the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Gorman, Shushan Bai
  • Patent number: 6206161
    Abstract: A fluid operated selectively engageable torque transmitter has a fluid operated piston that is pressurized to initiate engagement of a plurality of friction plates. The plates are alternately splined to an input member and an output member. One of the input or output members has a hub member threadably engaged therewith. The hub member has one set of plates and an apply plate splined thereto. Also connected with the threaded hub is a reaction plate. When the piston is lightly pressurized, the hub will traverse the input or output member on which it is threaded until the apply plate abuts a reaction surface on the member at which point the torque transmitter will be fully engaged. Upon a torque reversal, the threaded hub will traverse in the opposite direction to disengage the torque transmitter, thereby providing a direction sensitive mechanism. When the piston is fully pressurized, the torque transmitter will respond in a normal manner to transmit torque in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Brian Ross
  • Patent number: 6189667
    Abstract: A friction clutch for motor vehicles has a casing which can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a driven flywheel mass. A pressure plate is arranged inside the casing with a pressure spring supported between the clutch casing and the pressure plate so that the pressure plate presses a clutch disk, which is provided with friction linings, onto the flywheel mass. The pressure spring, during engagement of the clutch, exerts a varying pressure force on the pressure plate. The friction clutch also having a device which acts on the pressure plate and varies essentially proportionally to the force of the pressure spring to force of the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Mathias Dörfler, Markus Heiartz