Shipper Saddles Patents (Class 192/98)
  • Publication number: 20030070898
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing assembly includes a bearing carrier with a central axis. A bearing assembly, supported on the bearing carrier, includes a stationary race, a rotatable race and a plurality of anti-friction elements disposed therebetween. An aligning ring having a radial outer diameter and a front face is mounted to the rotatable race and is adapted for engagement with a spring plate of a clutch assembly. The bearing assembly is mounted to the bearing carrier to allow limited radial shifting of the bearing with respect to the bearing carrier. The front face of the aligning ring defines a plane that is normal to the axis of the bearing carrier, and the aligning ring and the bearing are mounted to the bearing carrier to allow limited angular displacement of the front face away from normal relative to the central axis of the bearing carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Eugene Wolbers, David L. Ziemba
  • Patent number: 6540059
    Abstract: An actuation device for a friction clutch which is arranged in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission arrangement includes a pressure medium force cylinder arrangement for actuating the friction clutch via a release member having a release bearing arrangement. A measuring arrangement detects an actual release state, i.e., an instantaneous position of the release member. A control/regulating valve arrangement is connected with a pressure medium source, a pressure compensation opening, and with the pressure medium force cylinder arrangement. The pressure medium force cylinder arrangement is actuated depending on the actual release state and on a desired release state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Drexl
  • Publication number: 20030010595
    Abstract: The housing of the slave cylinder in an apparatus for actuating a friction clutch between the engine and the input shaft of the change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle has a one-piece metallic or plastic member which is non-rotatably affixed to the transmission case. The annular piston of the slave cylinder carries a clutch release bearing and is surrounded by a wall of the housing; this piston slidably surrounds a deep-drawn metallic guide sleeve which is centered in the transmission case and has a flange secured to a collar of the housing by two or more lugs having mutually inclined portions partially bent around and partially recessed into the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Heller
  • Patent number: 6502682
    Abstract: The abstract relates to a hydraulic clutch release system, particularly for motor vehicles. The system 1 has a master cylinder and a slave cylinder, and the slave cylinder has a piston 7 which is annular in form and works inside an annular cylinder 2. The leading end of the cylinder is fitted with a seal 9 which is mounted on a one-piece seal carrier 10a through an undercut part of the carrier in which the seal fits without leaving any empty space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Koschmieder, Walter Parzefall, Ludwig Winkelmann, Harald Peschke
  • Patent number: 6464060
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clutch release bearing comprising an antifriction bearing (1) provided with a rotating ring (5) and a non-rotating ring (10), and mounted on a control element (2) provided with a tubular part (3) and a radial flange (4) whereon is urged to rest a radial portion of the non-rotating ring (10), and a self-aligning sleeve (15) arranged between the non-rotating ring (10) and the control element (2). The self-aligning sleeve (15) is fixed by being clamped on a cylindrical shaft (13) of the member supporting it, and comprises a metal reinforcement (17) provided with a tubular portion radially delimited by two surfaces of revolution, one of the two surfaces being coated with an elastic substance forming self-aligning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: SKF France
    Inventors: Frédéric Ponson, Hervé Girardin, Christophe Houdayer, Benoit Arnault
  • Publication number: 20020139633
    Abstract: A clutch release assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a bearing and a housing retaining the bearing. The housing has disposed on its exterior two L-shaped lugs are formed on opposite sides of the housing and extending radially therefrom. The lugs each define a circumferential engagement surface in a plane normal to the axis and face toward the bearing. An axially extending engagement surface is normal to the circumferential engagement surface wherein the tips of the arms of a clutch yoke engage the circumferential engagement surface to axially displace the release assembly. The axially extending surfaces prevent rotation of the housing by engagement with the tips of the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cole, Gene L. Graves
  • Publication number: 20020134641
    Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable outer ring, a rotating inner ring, and plural rolling members located between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring is intended to interact with an adjustment ring which has a ring flange for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism. Disposed in a support zone between the inner ring and the adjustment ring is a sliding element whereby the support zone is configured in the form of complementary calotte-shaped portions so that the adjustment ring and the inner ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG, Industriestrasse
    Inventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20020134640
    Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable inner ring, a rotating outer ring, and plural rolling members located between the inner and outer rings, An adjustment ring having a ring flange is provided for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism, and a sliding element made of bearing material is disposed in a support zone defined between complementary calotte-shaped portions of the outer ring and the adjustment ring so that the adjustment ring and the outer ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6446778
    Abstract: A clutch release assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a bearing and a housing retaining the bearing. The housing has disposed on its exterior two L-shaped lugs are formed on opposite sides of the housing and extending radially therefrom. The lugs each define a circumferential engagement surface in a plane normal to the axis and face toward the bearing. An axially extending engagement surface is normal to the circumferential engagement surface wherein the tips of the arms of a clutch yoke engage the circumferential engagement surface to axially displace the release assembly. The axially extending surfaces prevent rotation of the housing by engagement with the tips of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cole, Gene L. Graves
  • Publication number: 20020117372
    Abstract: A release bearing for a separating clutch installed in a motor vehicle, includes a casing movable in an axial direction and operatively connected to an actuating mechanism, a non-rotatable bearing ring having a ring bottom supported by the casing; and a revolving bearing ring having a annular flange. Guided between the bearing rings is a plurality of rolling elements. An engagement disk made of a low-friction and wear-resistant material is securely fixed to the annular flange, and a spring member is operatively connected to the separating clutch and cooperates with the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring, wherein the spring member bears against the engagement disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Stefan Kurzbeck
  • Publication number: 20020074206
    Abstract: A clutch operator arrangement for introducing an actuating force into a friction clutch includes a ball screw arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Angelika Ebert, Markus Heiartz, Wolfgang Reisser, Andreas Dau, Paul Kraus, Thomas John
  • Publication number: 20020060115
    Abstract: A release slide is or can be connected to a stored-energy element of the clutch assembly for executing a release movement, and at least one brake element can move along with the release slide during the execution of a release movement, which brake element can be brought into braking interaction with a counter-braking element, which is or can be connected in essentially nonrotatable fashion to a clutch output shaft, where the minimum of one brake element can shift position relative to the release slide at least to compensate for the wear which occurs in the area of the clutch assembly. A latching arrangement includes a set of latching teeth on either the release slide or on the brake element, and a latching element on the other of the brake element and the release slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Otto, Herbert Voit, Manfred Wehner
  • Patent number: 6390267
    Abstract: A central release device (10) for a hydraulic clutch actuation system has a housing (12) and a sleeve (16) provided with a flange (14), which together define a pressure chamber (18) for accommodating an annular piston (20), by means of which a release bearing (22) guided on the sleeve can be displaced. A spring (24), which braces the housing and the release bearing apart, subjects the housing to a force directed at the flange. According to the invention, a retaining element (28), which can be detached to operate the central release device, is provided which, when the central release device is in the non-mounted state, forms a stop for the housing and prevents this alone from moving against the force of the spring away from the flange of the sleeve beyond a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: FTE Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Stephen Elflein
  • Patent number: 6371266
    Abstract: A clutch release mechanism is slideably disposed over a driven shaft to transfer force from a plurality of levers or springs to a pressure plate. The release mechanism is axially displaced to engage or release a clutch. A modular release mechanism disclosed herein comprises a release sleeve which is slideably disposed on a driven shaft, the release sleeve has an axis of rotation, a first end and a second end. The release sleeve has a lever engagement portion disposed at the first end for contact with a release lever. A bearing is disposed about the axis of rotation and has an inward race and an outer race. The release sleeve has a bearing housing portion disposed at the second end for receiving the bearing. The bearing housing portion has a shoulder for locating the bearing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel V. Gochenour, Christopher D. Cole
  • Publication number: 20020014385
    Abstract: A release bearing is provided for transmitting release force to a corresponding force accumulator of each of the first and second clutch regions of the double clutch assembly, the release bearings being arranged in succession in the direction of an axis of rotation. Each of the release bearings has an action region for a respective release-force transmission member to act on, the release-force transmission members interacting on the same axial side of the release bearings. The action region of one of the release bearings includes a sleeve-like action element which is surrounded by the other release bearing. The sleeve-like action element has a holding region, by means of which the other release bearing is secured so that it cannot be removed from the sleeve-like action element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Angelika Ebert
  • Patent number: 6343683
    Abstract: A sleeve 2 is made from a composition of polyamnide resin and denatured, high-density polyethylene, wherein the polyethylene is denatured with unsaturated dicenboxylic acid or unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride or both to have a molecular weight of 50,000 to 400,000 in average.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Aoki, Masao Takeda
  • Patent number: 6328148
    Abstract: A hydraulic clutch release mechanism, particularly for use in the power train of a motor vehicle, employs a circular piston which is reciprocable in a plenum chamber between a cylindrical housing and a guide centrally located within the housing. One end portion of the piston is form-lockingly connected with a plastic seal at the plenum chamber. Such form-locking connection is provided adjacent one of two lips forming part of the seal. The one lip engages the external surface of the guide and the other lip engages the internal surface of the housing and is adjacent another form-locking connection established between the seal and an annular plastic or metallic retainer which is affixed to the piston with limited axial play. The other end portion of the piston is operatively connected with a clutch, e.g., by way of a release bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
  • Publication number: 20010045335
    Abstract: A seal for sealing between the inner ring and outer ring of the clutch release bearing comprising a labyrinth seal section extending from one of the inner ring and outer ring and kept in a non-contact state with reference to the other ring, and a contact seal section comprising a lip portion and provided on the internal side of the labyrinth seal and kept in a contact state with reference to the other ring, and the lip portion acting to obstruct semi-fluidized foreign matter which enters through the labyrinth seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Masao Takeda, Haruyuki Aihara
  • Publication number: 20010030098
    Abstract: An actuation device for a friction clutch which is arranged in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission arrangement includes a pressure medium force cylinder arrangement for actuating the friction clutch via a release member having a release bearing arrangement. A measuring arrangement detects an actual release state, i.e., an instantaneous position of the release member. A control/regulating valve arrangement is connected with a pressure medium source, a pressure compensation opening, and with the pressure medium force cylinder arrangement. The pressure medium force cylinder arrangement is actuated depending on the actual release state and on a desired release state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Drexl
  • Publication number: 20010030096
    Abstract: An actuation device for a friction clutch arranged in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission in a housing having a pressure medium force cylinder arrangement arranged in the housing, which preferably comprises a pressure medium force ring cylinder. The friction clutch can be actuated by means of this pressure medium force cylinder arrangement via a release bearing arrangement which is movable coaxial to the friction clutch. A measuring arrangement associated with the release bearing arrangement or a release bearing arrangement side of the pressure medium force cylinder arrangement or friction clutch detects an actual release with a plurality of measurement receivers arranged in the housing so as to be distributed about the clutch axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Drexl, Thomas Otto, Reinhold Weidinger
  • Publication number: 20010011626
    Abstract: A slave cylinder which serves to disengage the friction clutch between the output shaft of the engine and the transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle has a housing affixed to the case of the transmission and having an internal surface coaxial with and spacedly surrounding the cylindrical external surface of a hollow cylindrical guide coaxial with and surrounding the output shaft. An annular piston of the slave cylinder is reciprocable between the two cylindrical surfaces and carries a clutch release bearing at one end. The other end of the piston is adjacent an annular plenum chamber of the slave cylinder. An annular seal between an end portion of the guide at the transmission case and an adjacent annular centering portion of the housing is installed in such a way that it does not extend radially outwardly beyond the internal surface of the housing, i.e., radially of and beyond the plenum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen Kupplungsbau Gmbh
    Inventors: Gerhard Meyer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Dieter Adler
  • Publication number: 20010004039
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing having a fixed portion (5,6) including an inner support tube (6) and an outer body (5) concentric therewith which defines a control chamber (50) capable of being supplied with a fluid and housing an axially movable tubular piston (4) supporting a drive member (3) engageable with the diaphragm (13) of the clutch (1), wherein the support tube (6) axially projects beyond the outer body (5). The front end of the support tube (6) is surrounded by a guide sleeve (9) for the piston (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giroire
  • Patent number: 6244411
    Abstract: A clutch sleeve assembly for an automotive clutch system includes a polymer sleeve having a snap ring groove and a metal bushing disposed within the polymer sleeve having a flange that acts as a reinforcement for the snap ring groove. There are two configurations of the snap ring groove on the polymer sleeve. In the first configuration, the polymer sleeve has a notch around an outer circumference along its edge adjacent the bushing flange. In this configuration, the bushing flange extends beyond the polymer sleeve edge to form a snap ring groove in conjunction with the notch. In the second configuration, the polymer sleeve has a snap ring groove around its outer circumference spaced apart from its edge that is adjacent the bushing flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Michael Auer
  • Patent number: 6216840
    Abstract: The invention relates to a release device for a friction clutch with a central release member. A release bearing 10, a sliding sleeve 9 and an annular flange 4 are combined together into a single assembly by a holding element 18a which holds the components together before the clutch is assembled. The holding element becomes redundant after assembly of the clutch. The element has tongues 20a which initially grip the sleeve 9 but which are released from the sleeve on assembly as a result of clamping the flange 4 against a gearbox housing 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Peterseim
  • Patent number: 6202819
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing having a fixed portion (5,6) including an inner support tube (6) and an outer body (5) concentric therewith which defines a control chamber (50) capable of being supplied with a fluid and housing an axially movable tubular piston (4) supporting a drive member (3) engageable with the diaphragm (13) of the clutch (1), wherein the support tube (6) axially projects beyond the outer body (5). The front end of the support tube (6) is surrounded by a guide sleeve (9) for the piston (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giroire
  • Patent number: 6189670
    Abstract: Device for operating a clutch of the type comprising a thrust ball bearing 16, equipped with a non-rotating race 17 and with a rotating race 18, capable of acting on a diaphragm of a clutch mechanism 21, an operating element 11 comprising a tubular portion 13 and a radial flange 14, which can move axially along a guide tube 6, and an elastic self-alignment member arranged radially between the thrust ball bearing 16 and the tubular portion 13 of the operating element 11. The elastic self-alignment member comprises an annular scraping lip 28 which rubs against the guide tube 6 to form a scraping seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: SKF France, Valeo
    Inventors: Frederic Ponson, Jean Michel Kromwel
  • Patent number: 6148983
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in a vehicle transmission including a clutch comprising an input shaft to a gearbox, a clutch release lever including a pair of shank ends on one end thereof, a pulling throwout bearing including a pair of engagement surfaces cooperating with the shank ends of the clutch release lever, the clutch release lever being rotatably mounted so that it can rotate between an assembly position during mounting of the gearbox onto the clutch wherein the pair of shank ends are displaced from the pulling throwout bearing during axial displacement of the gearbox towards the clutch, a rest position in which the pair of shank ends cooperatively engage the pulling throwout bearing, and a clutch release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Tore Borjesson
  • Patent number: 6126324
    Abstract: Clutch-release bearing device of the type comprising a rolling-contact bearing 1 with a rotating race 11 and a non-rotating race 6 and mounted on a rigid operating element 2 equipped with a tubular part 3 and a radial flange 5 against which a radial portion 10 of the non-rotating race 6 bears, and with self-alignment between the non-rotating race and the operating element. The device comprises at least one damping member 21 placed between the radial portion 10 of the non-rotating race 6 and the radial flange 5 of the operating element 2, the damping member comprising at least one thin metal element 22 which has two opposed parallel radial faces, and an elastic coating 23 covering at least one of the faces and secured to the metal element 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: SKF France
    Inventors: Frederic Ponson, Michael Carter
  • Patent number: 6123181
    Abstract: An articulation head for a clutch-release rocker arm of a friction clutch of a motor vehicle is sealed with respect to dust and abraded material by means of an elastic sleeve. The sleeve is clamped between flanges of a ball shaft and a bearing shell. Consequently, the articulation head is particularly unsusceptible to wear and can be moved virtually without noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Stefan Rumpel, Ulrich Husse
  • Patent number: 6105745
    Abstract: A disengagement mechanism for a friction clutch which is to be arranged between an internal combustion engine and a transmission flanged to the internal combustion engine by a casing includes a guide pipe fastenable in the casing. A release bearing element is guided radially at the outer circumference of the guide pipe so as to be axially movable thereon. The disengagement mechanism also includes a clutch lever which is to be articulated at the casing for transmitting clutch actuating forces to the release bearing element. At least the guide pipe, the release bearing, and the clutch lever are held together to form a constructional unit prior to their arrangement between the internal combustion engine and the transmission by movement limiting device, thereby facilitating the assembly of the disengagement mechanism. In the operation-ready, installed state, the movement limiting devices influences the movability of the disengagement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Ulrich Husse, Kurt Lindner, Karl Muller, Reiner Voss, Thomas Walter
  • Patent number: 6102181
    Abstract: A clutch release mechanism includes a clutch release sleeve, a clutch release bearing and a clutch release fork. The clutch release sleeve has a lever engagement feature at a first end. The clutch release bearing engages a second end of the clutch release sleeve and has an inner race rotatably fixed to the second end of the clutch release sleeve. The clutch release fork has rollers disposed on each of two arms for engagement with an outer race of the clutch release bearing. The rollers each including a dowel pin with a first end received by a respective fork arm, the dowel pin having a second end encircled by a rotatively mounted tire. The tire has a through bore and a bushing fixedly mounted therein. A retainer is provided for preventing axial displacement of the tire from the second end of the dowel pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Duane Lepard, Daniel V. Gochenour, Christopher D. Cole
  • Patent number: 6056446
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rolling bearing for a release device of a friction clutch. The rolling bearing (1a) includes a rotating outer bearing ring (12) and a rotationally fixed inner bearing ring (2). Rolling elements (15) are guided in an inner space (14) between the bearing rings which is sealed by a sealing element. The inner space (14) of the rolling bearing (1a) is sealed on one side of the rolling elements (15) by a sealing element (20) and on the other side of the rolling elements (15) by a retention element (7). The sealing element and the retention element are each rotationally fixed on one of the bearing rings, and free ends of the sealing element and the retention element extend up to the respective other bearing ring of the rolling bearing (1a) to create a large axial or radial overlap which forms an annular gap (25, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Roland Welter, Roswitha Bauml, Ralf Bossner
  • Patent number: 6029792
    Abstract: A friction clutch whereby the operating force characteristic is made largely independent of the wear of the clutch disk. The friction clutch is characterized in that in the engaged position of the clutch, the initial position of a clutch plate corresponding to an initial thickness of the clutch disk corresponds to a stop position of a spring in the direction of a displacement of a pressure plate against the clutch disk, from which the spring produces the superimposed elastic force when the pressure plate is displaced in the direction of clutch disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Atiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hubert Beitler, Ernst Tscheplak
  • Patent number: 6029790
    Abstract: A composite release sleeve includes a first cylindrical sleeve of a non-metallic material, and a second cylindrical sleeve of a metallic material. The composite release sleeve enables translation movement of a bearing such as a clutch release bearing, upon a guide element such as an input shaft. Preferably, the first cylindrical sleeve material is a polymer composite having a molded-in second cylindrical sleeve such as a bronze bushing. An integral flange extending outwardly from one end of the first cylindrical sleeve transfers the axial motion of the release sleeve to the clutch assembly. The first cylindrical sleeve further includes an integrally molded cavity which serves as a lubrication reservoir to reduce friction and facilitate slidable movement of the composite release sleeve along the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Huiyao Liu, Qinghong K. Gao, Richard Martello
  • Patent number: 5992598
    Abstract: Clutch-release device comprising a centrally holed diaphragm 1 which has a central part cut, by means of slits 5 into fingers 4 that point radially inwards, a thrust rolling bearing 13 and an operating element 14 mounted on a part which is distinct from the one supporting the diaphragm and in at least axial contact with the rolling bearing 13. The latter comprises a rotating race 16, a radial portion 25 of which bears against the internal end of the fingers 4 of the diaphragm 1, a non-rotating race 17, a radial portion 21 of which is in contact with the operating element, and a row of rolling bodies 18. The rotating race 16, made of pressed sheet metal, on its radial portion 25 in contact with the diaphragm 1 comprises at least one axial deformation 26 which is obtained without removing material, and the edges of which are capable of interacting with the flanks of one finger 4 of the diaphragm 1, the deformation 26 being smaller in size than the thickness of a finger 4 of the diaphragm 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignees: SKF France, Valeo
    Inventors: Frederic Ponson, Jean Michel Kromwel
  • Patent number: 5979632
    Abstract: A sliding sleeve for a disengagement mechanism for clutch actuation in motor vehicles has at least two pairs of cams with convexities of different heights from an actuation level on the sliding sleeve that is connectable to the clutch. Each of the pairs of cams selectively fits into a window of an oscillating link or clutch release fork, whereby the oscillating window and sliding sleeve have contours that fix the sliding sleeve at one position. By selecting which of the pair of cams engages the oscillating link or clutch release lever, different mounting heights of the actuation level on the sliding sleeve from the oscillating link or the clutch release fork may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Ulrich Husse, Bernd Stockmann
  • Patent number: 5964333
    Abstract: A slave cylinder for the operation of a friction clutch, especially in motor vehicles, with a housing, an inner portion, an annular or cylindrical piston which annular piston is positioned between the housing and the inner portion, a clutch release sleeve or clutch throwout sleeve or coupling socket joint which clutch release sleeve is in contact with the annular piston and can be axially displaced with respect to the housing, as well as a spring or pressure spring or compression spring which is supported by both the clutch release sleeve and the housing, and radial shoulders or steps or reliefs provided at the clutch release sleeve and at the housing to secure against torsion. The pressure spring may be characterized as a sinuous spring or zig-zag or no-sag spring. The ends of the pressure spring are positioned to make contact at the ends of the shoulders which shoulders act in the opposite direction to secure against torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Herbert Voit, Angelika Ebert
  • Patent number: 5927454
    Abstract: A clutch release assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a retainer sleeve, a retainer, a release bearing and an input shaft sleeve. The retainer has an axis of rotation, and has both a first end and a second end. The retainer is disposed on the first end of the retainer sleeve. The retainer is adapted to engage a radially inwardly directed end of one of a lever and a diaphragm spring finger. The release bearing is disposed on the second end of the retainer sleeve. The input shaft sleeve is disposed radially within the retainer sleeve and has a first end and a second end. The input shaft sleeve is radially sized to slidably fit both within the retainer sleeve and over an input shaft. The input shaft sleeve has a radially inwardly extending anti-rotation feature, and a radially outwardly extending travel limit. The input shaft sleeve has a smooth low friction surface disposed toward the retainer sleeve. The input shaft sleeve protects the retainer sleeve from the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steve C. Campbell, Barry T. Adams, Leslie R. Graf
  • Patent number: 5911296
    Abstract: A heavy duty clutch release mechanism includes a clutch release sleeve, a clutch release bearing and a clutch release fork. The clutch release sleeve has a lever engagement feature at a first end. The clutch release bearing engages a second end of the clutch release sleeve and has an inner race rotatably fixed to the second end of the clutch release sleeve. The clutch release fork has rollers disposed on each of two arms for engagement with an outer race of the clutch release bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Cole, Daniel V. Gochenour
  • Patent number: 5865288
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing comprising a fixed portion (5, 6) including an outer body (5) and an inner support tube (6) concentric therewith and separated therefrom, and defining an axially extending blind ring-shaped cavity (50) capable of being supplied with a fluid and housing an axially movable tubular piston (4) supporting a drive member (3) engageable with the diaphragm (13) of a clutch (1). The rear end (100) of the support tube (6) has a transversely extending ring-shaped flange (61) by means of which it engage a fixed portion (21), particularly the gearbox, and the rear end of the body (5) is recessed for clamping the flange (61) between the body (5) and the fixed portion (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Sylvain Thomire, Jean-Pierre Giroire
  • Patent number: 5842550
    Abstract: A release device (3) is arranged around a main input shaft of a transmission, is provided for pulling an inner peripheral portion of a diaphragm spring (9) toward a transmission so as to disengage a clutch (2), and includes a second sleeve (12), a first lever plate (16) and a second lever plate (17). The second sleeve (12) is axially movably. The first lever plate (16) is an annular member, which is fixed to an outer periphery of the second sleeve (12) and has a spherical convex surface (16a) opposed to a transmission. The second lever plate (17) is an annular member, which has a spherical concave surface (17a) in slidable contact with the spherical convex surface (16a) and is in contact with an inner peripheral end of the diaphragm spring (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Asada, Toshiya Kosumi
  • Patent number: 5836432
    Abstract: A friction clutch which has a release bearing and a release element with a snap connection, whereby a bias spring device is provided which is pre-installed in a separate groove in the encircling bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Husse, Karl Muller, Herbert Berwind
  • Patent number: 5810145
    Abstract: A disengagement device includes a clutch release bearing, provided with a fixed part (2, 4) comprising an outer body (2) and an inner support tube (4) defining an axially oriented blind annular cavity (40) able to be fed with fluid and inside which a piston (3) is mounted so as to be axially mobile, a sole plate is able to be fixed to a fixed part and mounting means of the bayonet type (6) act between the said sole plate (5) and the outer body (2) of the clutch release bearing (1) for bayonet-type mounting of the clutch release bearing (1) on the sole plate (5) previously fixed to the said fixed part (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Sylvain Thomire
  • Patent number: 5794752
    Abstract: A clutch actuator includes an outer cylinder housing having a plurality of ramps formed on an inner cylindrical surface thereof. Each of the ramps has a radially inwardly facing surface which includes a forwardly facing tapered surface and a rearwardly facing tapered surface. A hollow cylindrical piston is disposed concentrically within the outer cylinder housing and has a plurality of axially extending protrusions formed thereon. Preferably, the number of such protrusions is equal to the number of the ramps formed on the outer cylinder housing, and the protrusions are circumferentially interleaved within the ramps formed on the outer cylinder housing. Each of the protrusions has a radially outwardly facing surface which includes a forwardly facing tapered surface and a circumferentially extending groove. An inner cylinder housing is disposed concentrically within the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt R. Baer, George A. Willford, Timothy R. Zuehlke
  • Patent number: 5785164
    Abstract: A clutch release device comprises a clutch release bearing which slides axially along a tubular guide member fixed to a fixed structure and defining an axis, and a declutching fork pivoted on the fixed structure about pivot arrangement which define at least one pivot point spaced away from the axis. The fork acts on the clutch release bearing through a thrust zone of a manoeuvring element of the latter, so as to displace the release bearing axially along the guide member. The declutching fork acts on the thrust zone in a line of contact which intersects the axis regardless of the angular position of the declutching fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Laurent Hanique, Jean-Michel Kromwel, Eric Marie
  • Patent number: 5758757
    Abstract: In a release device of a pull type clutch, a wedge collar 15 has an annular flange 15a, first and second claws 20 and 21, and a movement restricting portion. The annular flange 15a extends radially outward. The first claws 20 are integral with the flange 15a, extend through recesses 14a of the wire ring 14 to an axially inner side of a diaphragm spring 8, and is provided at its tip end with bent portions 20a for retaining the wire ring 14. The second claws 21 are formed integrally with the flange 15a for retaining the wiring 14 between the bent portions 20a and the second claws 21. The movement restricting portion is formed by the second claws 21 which have inclined configurations having tip ends pressed against the inner periphery of the lever plate 16, and thereby restricts movement of the wire ring 14 relative to the lever plate 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5752591
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated clutch includes a pair of hydraulic cylinder housings formed as blocks bolted to the clutch housing. In a most Preferred embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder housing extends into an opening in tie side wall of the outer clutch housing and is bolted at an outer location to the transmission bell housing. A fluid connection is made at an outer surface such that an assembler need not reach into the transmission bell housing to make the fluid connections. The hydraulic cylinder housing preferably has a machined piston bore, and fluid passages communicating the piston bore to the connection at the outer location on the hydraulic cylinder housing. In a second embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder housing also includes a block having a machined piston bore and fluid passage, however the block is bolted to an internal surface in the outer clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Charles E. Beyer
  • Patent number: 5743370
    Abstract: A fluid pressure operated clutch release bearing for a diaphragm clutch of a motor vehicle includes a fixed part which comprises a cylindrical annular external body and an internal tube. The body and tube together define an annular cavity, into which pressurised fluid is fed for controlling the release bearing by actuation of a tubular piston, which slides axially in the cavity and which has a front end portion that carries an actuating element which acts on the clutch diaphragm. This front end portion also carries a finned sealing ring which cooperates with the outer peripheral surface of the tube, so as to restrict leakage of fluid through the annular space which is defined between the outer surface of the tube and the internal bore of the piston; and the piston has at least one evacuation orifice which connects the annular space to a zone in which leaked fluid can be recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Sylvain Thomire
  • Patent number: 5722520
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated clutch includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders driving pistons to selectively move a clutch bearing to bring the clutch into and out of engagement. In standard clutches, a feature known as a clutch brake is sometimes contacted by the clutch bearing. The clutch bearing contacts the clutch brake to prevent rotation of the shaft under certain conditions. Because of this contact, the clutch bearing could rotate. Thus, anti-rotation structure is included in the inventive hydraulically actuated clutch. In a first embodiment, the anti-rotation structure includes surfaces formed on the sides of hydraulic cylinder housings which prevent rotation of the clutch bearing. The surfaces are preferably positioned radially inwardly from the pistons, and axially between the pistons and the clutch disks and plates which actually transmit the rotation through the clutch. In this way, the anti-rotation structure is optimally positioned to reliably prevent rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Charles E. Beyer
  • Patent number: 5709128
    Abstract: Reversing gear for boats, comprising a displaceable engaging sleeve (10) with a V-shaped groove (22), into which there extends a gear selector in the form of a dog (21) on a pin (29) movable in the axial direction of the engaging sleeve. The pin is excentrically mounted in a rotatable sleeve (31). A ball-and-socket joint (27,28) between the dog and the pin assures that the dog will retain its orientation and contact surface in the groove during the shifting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: AB Volvo Penta
    Inventor: Lars Skyman