Fluid Released Clutch Patents (Class 192/85.57)
  • Patent number: 11326554
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a thrust reverser synchronization shaft lock system includes a rotatable shaft comprising at least one radial prong extending radially from the shaft, a hydraulic lock assembly that includes a housing, a piston head having a lock recess, a piston rod extending radially away from the shaft and configured to be urged by the piston head to move the first piston rod end out of engagement with the radial prong to selectably permit rotation of the shaft, and a bias member configured to urge the first piston rod end into engagement with the radial prong, and an electric lock assembly that includes a lock pin and an electric actuator configured to controllably extend and retract the lock pin in and out of engagement with the lock recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan DeMichele, Neil Jenkins, Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11215244
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a transmission including an input shaft that receives power inputted from a power source for travel of the vehicle and an output shaft that outputs power to a drive wheel; a manual gear shifting power transmission mechanism that delivers an operation force of a driver as gear shifting power to the transmission; a clutch disposed between the power source for travel of the vehicle and the input shaft; and a controlled clutch actuation power transmission mechanism that delivers power of a clutch actuator as clutch actuation power to the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10914327
    Abstract: A power transmission device with a clutch plate wear sensor system includes a power transmission shaft configured to transmit torque and a clutch configured to selectively deliver power into or out of the power transmission shaft. The clutch includes a clutch stack and clutch piston that moves to selectively actuate the clutch stack between an engaged state to deliver power through the clutch and a disengaged state to not deliver power through the clutch. The clutch stack wear sensor system includes at least one detectable element arranged for movement in unison with the clutch piston and a sensor arranged to detect the detectable element and provide a signal indicative of a wear characteristic of the clutch stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Twin Disc, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan J. Malloy
  • Patent number: 10260625
    Abstract: Disclosed are power machines, and drive systems for use thereon, as well as methods of providing automatic gear shifting. The drive system includes a controller configured to implement automatic gear shifting. Gear engagement is determined following a gear shift, and a drive pump or other drive system components is automatically controlled to rotate a gearbox gear in first and second directions until the gear is properly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Nathalie LeBeuze, Allen C. Olheiser
  • Patent number: 9010513
    Abstract: Pneumatic fan drive assembly with improved capacity, longevity and heat control. The output member is positioned radially internally of the output member. The friction mechanism has longer movement (moment) arms and torque. The friction engagement has an increased friction surface arm. A portion of the heat generated by the friction mechanism is evacuated to the atmosphere rather than being completely internalized in the assembly. The friction material for the friction lining alternatively can be formed of a plasma spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel E. Settineri, Vincent M. Tembreull
  • Patent number: 8910768
    Abstract: Taught herein is a clutch control apparatus that suppresses oil leakage from a seal member of a hydraulic cylinder even when vibration occurs, without enhancing sealability of the seal member per se. The clutch control apparatus includes normally-closed first clutch, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston, a lip seal and a pressure holding control section. The first clutch is disposed between an engine and driving wheels and is held in engagement by an elastic force applied to the first clutch CL1 by a diaphragm spring. The lip seal is disposed on the piston and enhances sealability between the piston and a housing slide surface in accordance with an increase in hydraulic pressure in the piston chamber. When the first clutch is engaged, the pressure holding control section applies a hydraulic pressure to retain the sealability of the lip seal to the piston chamber while maintaining engagement of the first clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ogata, Akira Suwabayashi
  • Patent number: 8851261
    Abstract: Providing a hydraulic control device for a friction clutch for a vehicle, which permits the vehicular friction clutch to have an improved response of its releasing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Morise, Atsuhisa Mizuta, Masanobu Yamada
  • Patent number: 8839934
    Abstract: A clutch for coupling an internal combustion engine in a torque-transmitting fashion and decoupling an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine has a partial drive train that includes an electric machine. The clutch includes at least one adjustable element with which in conjunction with coupling means can be opened counter to a closing force generated by closing means. Locking means interacts with the adjustable element and has an adjustable locking element. The locking means interacting with the adjustable element in such a way that the coupling means are held open without an opening force having to be applied for this purpose by an adjustment means, or in such a way that the opening force which has to be applied by the adjustment means to hold the coupling means open is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Tellermann, Kaspar Schmoll Genannt Eisenwerth
  • Publication number: 20140182994
    Abstract: A release device for a friction clutch, including an actuator for axially actuating the friction clutch, the actuator being designed to be hydraulically actuated by a fluid, and a support element having an integrated securing point for supporting the actuator on a clutch bell. An axial connection for the hydraulic fluid can be provided in the support element. The invention also relates to the possibility of designing the support element as a single piece with the housing of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Bosnjak, Luben Krahtov
  • Patent number: 8540064
    Abstract: A drive for an hybrid vehicle, having an electric machine situated in a housing and having a clutch that is provided with a release mechanism. The release mechanism is connected to a housing-mounted component, that is locked against rotation, via at least one damping element, the damping element absorbing multi-dimensional motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Banhegyi, Andreas Herzberger
  • Patent number: 8522942
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to methods and devices for use with vehicles that include a clutch, a transmission, a slave cylinder, a master cylinder and an engine. In accordance with an embodiment, a device includes a primary piston configured to urge hydraulic fluid into a slave cylinder, when the primary piston is moved from a first position to a second position, to thereby disengage the clutch from the transmission. The primary piston is normally movable from the first position to the second position by hydraulic actuation of a master cylinder. A secondary piston is configured to selectively apply force to the primary piston, to move the primary piston from the first position to the second position, when the secondary piston is selectively actuated. The secondary piston can be selectively actuated by a secondary fluid, such as a compressed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew E. Bell, David B. Bell
  • Patent number: 8276732
    Abstract: A clutch device is configured to include a clutch mechanism, a clutch actuator operatively engaging and disengaging the clutch mechanism, a clutch lever, and an assist pressure generator which generates assist hydraulic pressure by driving an electric motor. The assist hydraulic pressure is supplied to the clutch actuator to operatively engage and disengage the clutch mechanism. The clutch device further includes a first turning angle sensor which detects the turn operation angle of the clutch lever, a control unit which controllably drives the electric motor based on the turning operation amount of the clutch lever and adjusts the driving force generating gain characteristic of the electric motor, and a gain adjustment knob which variably sets the gain characteristic. The clutch device makes it possible to changeably set the magnitude of an assist force of an assist device according to a rider's preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanau Iwashita, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Yoshihisa Ieda, Akihiko Tomoda, Akihiro Iimuro
  • Patent number: 8201677
    Abstract: A clutch hydraulic system for a vehicle wherein it is possible to independently operate two systems, to increase the degree of freedom in designing, and to achieve a reduction in cost. A seesaw member for transmitting motive power is provided between a second release cylinder and a first master cylinder, the first master cylinder and a second hydraulic oil pipe communicate with each other through a large diameter hole and a small diameter hole provided as communicating passages through which oil flows. A reservoir tank is provided for reserving the oil for controlling the amounts of the oil in the hydraulic oil passage on the side of the first master cylinder and the amount of the oil in the hydraulic oil passage on the side of the second release cylinder is connected to a second master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Kanau Iwashita, Yoshihisa Ieda, Katsumi Sahoda, Akihiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 8146727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch (20) for torque transmission between a shaft (2) and a roller (30) which is arranged coaxially around the shaft (2), comprising pneumatically actuable means for selectively interrupting and/or producing a force flow between the shaft (2) and roller (30), wherein the clutch (20) is arranged within the roller (30) coaxially between the shaft (2) and roller (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Kotte, Ralf Kotte
  • Patent number: 8074779
    Abstract: A clutch system has a clutch device, an actuating device for the hydraulic actuation of the clutch device, and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes a master cylinder that is actuated by the actuating device, a slave cylinder for actuating the clutch device fluidically connected with the master cylinder through a pressure line. A first branch line is connected to the pressure space of the master cylinder or between the pressure spaces of the master cylinder and slave cylinder. The first branch line is also connected to a compensating tank volume. A second branch line is connected to the pressure space of the slave cylinder or arranged between the pressure spaces of the master and slave cylinders. The second branch line is also connected to the compensating tank volume. A device is disposed to blocking the second branch line during an actuation of the clutch device by way of the actuating device. This provides for an inherently safe, self-ventilating hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Vollmer, Arne Krüger, Dieter Schrag
  • Patent number: 8002100
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch (20) for vehicles by means of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator (24), comprising a controller connected upstream of the actuator (24), whose output control variable actuates the actuator (24). To compensate for the strong nonlinearity of the releasing force over the releasing stroke that is typical of diaphragm springs, a controller is used, whose characteristic curve is plotted in such a way that this nonlinear curve of the releasing force is at least approximately compensated via a correspondingly coordinated actuation of the actuator (24), so that it remains essentially identical over the releasing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Herter, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8002099
    Abstract: A clutch operation mechanism wherein when a clutch is disengaged and engaged by manual operation or by operation of an actuator the one operation does not affect the other operation. The clutch operation mechanism includes a lever side lost mechanism which is disposed between a clutch lever and a turn-operating force transmitting member for interrupting, from the clutch lever side, an operated-force applied from the turn-operating force transmitting member by driving the electric motor when the clutch lever is not operated. A motor side lost mechanism is disposed between the electric motor and the turn-operating force transmitting member and interrupts, from the side of the electric motor, the operated-force applied from the turn-operating force transmitting member by operating the clutch lever when the electric motor is not operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Kanau Iwashita, Yoshihisa Ieda, Akihiko Tomoda, Katsumi Sahoda
  • Patent number: 7954617
    Abstract: A motorcycle clutch for a drive connection between an engine and a transmission of a motorcycle is provided, and is some embodiments includes a manually operable clutch lever, engaging inner and outer disks, and a disengaging mechanism operable by means of the clutch lever for a pressure body which is spring-loaded by at least one clutch spring assembly for pressurization of the inner and outer disks, wherein a servo mechanism for reducing the operating force of the clutch lever is provided, the servo mechanism being effectively connected to the intake section of the engine and utilizing the negative intake pressure in the intake section to build up a servo force acting against the direction of the spring load of the clutch spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Ahmed Sayhoun, Falk Nickel, Georg Ruprecht
  • Patent number: 7832538
    Abstract: A modularly designed mechanical or pressure activated power coupling and complete disconnect assembly independently mounted or directly coupled to a bell housing mount on a drive engine or powered side equipment has provisions for coupling the driveline power via an integrated torsional coupling, drive plate or other mechanism to the rotating member, engine, and powered side equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Cotta Transmission Company
    Inventor: Bryan Robinson
  • Patent number: 7828131
    Abstract: A clutch-manipulation assist mechanism of a vehicle clutch mechanism is capable of disconnecting power of an engine and is provided to a power transmission path which transmits the power of the engine to a rear wheel. The clutch-manipulation assist mechanism includes a push rod member which is arranged near the clutch mechanism and which is movable in the axial direction interlockingly with a power cutoff of the clutch mechanism due to the manipulation of a clutch lever by a rider. An axial movement of the push rod member is assisted by an actuator in response to a detection of the clutch lever manipulation by the rider using a stroke sensor, thus reducing a manipulation force of the clutch lever. A detection lug of the stroke sensor detects a movement quantity of a shaft end of the push rod member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanau Iwashita, Atsuko Niwano
  • Patent number: 7721858
    Abstract: A clutch actuator comprises a motor having a motor shaft. A worm shaft is formed with a threaded section. A worm wheel meshes with the threaded section of the worm shaft. An output rod reciprocates in an axial direction to disengage and engage a clutch. A crank shaft converts rotational motion of the worm wheel to reciprocating motion of the output rod. The motor shaft and the worm shaft are coupled by a spline connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kosugi, Hisashi Kazuta