Fluid Coupling Patents (Class 464/24)
  • Patent number: 6149525
    Abstract: A power coupling mechanism having fluid dampening device with interfitting members which assist in the absorption and transmittance of stress due to torsion and thrust loads, thus reducing the size of a bearing supporting relatively rotatable parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Fukushima, Koji Kajitani, Hiroyoshi Tsuruta, Masanobu Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 6126549
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement for coupling a driving unit (1) to a driven unit (2) includes a combination of a shear coupling (7) which acts between the units and which fails immediately an overload occurs, and a brake coupling (13) which is adapted to become active between the units (1, 2) when the shear coupling (7) fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Safeset AB
    Inventors: Bo Appell, Curt Falk
  • Patent number: 6095299
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle is embodied with a centrifugal mass device, which has at least one mass-bearing compensating system. At least one component of the centrifugal mass device is equipped, to form the compensating system, with at least one chamber that holds, to a predetermined degree of fullness, a fluid medium, whose position in the chamber changes when a torsional vibration occurs. The effect resulting from this position change depends on the density and viscosity of the medium, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, on the arrangement of the chamber, which determines the vibrational behavior of the medium, the shape of the chamber, which determines the movement resistance, and its degree of fullness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernd Peinemann, Reinhard Feldhaus, Matthias Fischer
  • Patent number: 6095922
    Abstract: A rotation damper with a housing, a rotor which is rotatably mounted in the housing and which, with the housing, forms at least one gap into which a viscous medium is enclosed, and an axle or shaft which is connected to the rotor and which at least at one end projects out from the housing. There is further provided a filler opening, for the viscous medium, which is formed in the housing and which at least over part of its length comprises a uniform circular cross section and a closure element comprising a circular linear sealing edge, the diameter of which is somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the filler opening in the region of the uniform cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: ITW-ATECO GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Friedrichsen, Klaus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6095923
    Abstract: A propeller shaft comprises two torque transmission members, a viscous fluid damper and a torsion bar which are arranged in parallel between the torque transmission members, and a stopper for restricting the maximum torsion angle of the torsion bar. Thus, torsional vibration characteristic is adjusted in a wide range. Accordingly, a vibration a and noise in a power transmission system can be prevented, and also, a starting acceleration performance of a vehicle can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Viscodrive Japan Ltd.
    Inventor: Hayashi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 6058801
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper has a first flywheel mass on the drive side and a second flywheel mass which is rotatable relative to the first flywheel mass and is connected therewith via a torsional damping device. At least one of the flywheel masses is provided with a grease chamber containing a viscous medium for at least partial accommodation of the torsional damping device. There is at least one opening which is provided with a closure and axially penetrates at least one wall of the flywheel mass for filling the grease chamber with the viscous medium. The closure is formed by a cover which is accommodated at the respective flywheel mass and movable in the axial direction relative to the opening. In a sealing position the cover covers the opening, and a filling position is removable from the opening by a connection piece which can be guided through the opening for filling the grease chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Schierling, Rudolf Bauerlein, Hilmar Gobel, Matthias Fischer
  • Patent number: 6050380
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle is embodied with a centrifugal mass device, which has at least one mass-bearing compensating system. At least one component of the centrifugal mass device is equipped, to form the compensating system, with at least one chamber that holds, to a predetermined degree of fullness, a fluid medium, whose position in the chamber changes when a torsional vibration occurs. The effect resulting from this position change depends on the density and viscosity of the medium, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, on the arrangement of the chamber, which determines the vibrational behavior of the medium, the shape of the chamber, which determines the movement resistance, and its degree of fullness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernd Peinemann, Reinhard Feldhaus, Matthias Fischer
  • Patent number: 6003648
    Abstract: A torque converter having a fluid vibration damping arrangement (70) for damping torsional vibrations which lead to relative torsion between an input and an output side of the torsional vibration damper by means of fluid contained in the interior (24) of the casing (12). The fluid vibration damping arrangement is implemented by at least one first blade-like projection, which is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a turbine impeller shell (28) of the turbine impeller (26), and extends substantially axially away from said shell and toward the clutch element (44), and at least one second blade-like projection, which is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the clutch element (44), preferably attached to the latter, and extends substantially axially away from the latter and toward the turbine impeller (26). The at least one first blade-like projection (74) and the at least one second blade-like projection (72) overlapping in the axial direction in certain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jorg Sudau
  • Patent number: 5997402
    Abstract: A power coupling mechanism having fluid dampening device with interfitting members which assist in the absorption and transmittance of stress due to torsion and thrust loads, thus reducing the size of a bearing supporting relatively rotatable parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Fukushima, Koji Kajitani, Hiroyoshi Tsuruta, Masanobu Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 5992589
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided with both a lock-up clutch and a disengaging clutch for use with a manual transmission. When the disengaging clutch is engaged, torque is transmittable through a torque converter impeller and turbine fluid coupling. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, torque is mechanically transmitted through the lock-up clutch to a manual transmission input shaft. A single control mechanism effects selective engagement and disengagement of both the lock-up clutch and the disengaging clutch. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a weight may be engaged and disengaged from various components within the torque converter to change the ratio of a moment of inertia of a power input mechanism and a power output mechanism defined by portions of the torque converter. A lock-up clutch in the alternate embodiment and the weight are also engaged and disengaged by a single control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Fukushima
  • Patent number: 5980387
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jackel
  • Patent number: 5980386
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jackel
  • Patent number: 5971857
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jackel
  • Patent number: 5967899
    Abstract: A centrifugal mass device having at least two centrifugal masses which are rotatable relative to each other against the effect of elastic elements of a torsional damping device. The output-side centrifugal mass, which is more distant from a drive, e.g., the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, is run radially as well as axially relative to the drive-side centrifugal mass via a support. The support has an axial slide bearing that borders a grease chamber containing a viscous medium, which grease chamber accommodates, at least partially, the torsional damping device. To form a seal for the grease chamber, the axial slide bearing is radially encompassed along at least a portion of its axial extension by at least one axial projection provided on at least one of the centrifugal masses, whereby the axial projection is close to but separated by a gap from an associated region of the other centrifugal mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesman Sachs AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Schierling
  • Patent number: 5944610
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a flywheel with two inertial masses has two rotating elements which can rotate together and relative to one another. The rotating elements are connected to one another with rotational elasticity by a spring. The spring is located in a channel which is formed on the outside periphery of one of the two rotating elements. The channel is filled at least partly with lubricant. A filling passage for the lubricant is contained in one of the two rotating elements in the vicinity of the hub. The filling passage is closed by the annular surface of a component which, at least in the operationally fully assembled condition, is in contact with one of the two rotating elements and/or the hub. It is thereby possible to eliminate a separate closing cap, along with the corresponding work step which is necessary for the installation of such a closing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jorg Sudau
  • Patent number: 5935007
    Abstract: A torque transmission system includes a torsional vibration damper with a centrifugal valve separating first chamber and second chambers filled with fluid. At low engine speeds, the centrifugal valve is spring biased in a substantially closed position so that there is minimal fluid flow between the chambers, thus resulting in high stiffness and high damping for reducing resonance vibrations. As the engine speed increases, centrifugal force eventually overcomes the spring force due to increased engine speeds. Thus, at high engine speeds the centrifugal valve is open, allowing a greater amount of fluid to flow from the first chamber to the second resulting in decreased stiffness and transmissibility for more effectively reducing vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jibin Yang
  • Patent number: 5931735
    Abstract: A flywheel device has a drive-side centrifugal mass and a second centrifugal mass, which is rotatable relative to the first centrifugal mass and is connected to the first centrifugal mass via a torsional damping device. At least one of the centrifugal masses has a grease chamber containing a viscous medium for accommodating, at least partially, the torsional damping device. A seal is associate with the grease chamber to hold back the viscous medium in the grease chamber. The seal is accommodated on one of the centrifugal masses and engages into the radial extension region of the other centrifugal mass. The seal extends into the grease chamber, and the side of the seal accessible to the viscous medium has an axial offset relative to the side facing the grease chamber of the wall that interacts with the seal of the centrifugal mass having the grease chamber. The axial offset is limited to the gap width, at least at the sealing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Schierling
  • Patent number: 5911628
    Abstract: A flywheel device has a first flywheel mass that is drivable and rotates around a rotational axis and a second flywheel mass that can be deflected relative to the first at least by a limited rotational angle. The second flywheel mass is drive-connected to the first flywheel mass by a torsional damping device. At least one flywheel mass has a grease chamber which at least partially accommodates the torsional damping device and is equipped with at least one seal against the escape of viscous medium. A first sealing part of the seal is connected to one of the flywheel masses and a second sealing part of the seal is connected to the other flywheel mass. The second sealing part is arranged in a radially offset manner relative to the first sealing part and has at least two fixed arms extending from an annual base in the direction of the first sealing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jorg Sudau, Joachim Lindner, Bernd Forster, Bernhard Schierling
  • Patent number: 5863252
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplaungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jackel
  • Patent number: 5860501
    Abstract: A clutch device separates a non-changing component and a changing component of power generated by a driving source, and transmits the non-changing component and the changing component of power so separated to separate driven bodies, respectively. Power generated by a driving source is preferably subjected to form conversion by a power form converter and is then separated into a non-changing component and a changing component by a power separator. The non-changing component of power so separated is transmitted to a first driven body by a non-changing component transmitter while the changing component of power so separated is transmitted to a second driven body by a changing component transmitter. A fluid pump can be used as the power form transmitter, and an outlet flow rate regulating valve of the fluid pump can be used as the power separator. Control of the second driven body can be made easily by smoothing the changing component of power separated by using a smoother.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyohito Murata
  • Patent number: 5860863
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplaungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jackel
  • Patent number: 5803441
    Abstract: To reduce a frictional resistance generated between undulated ribbon-like springs and outer circumferential walls, a flywheel assembly is composed of a first flywheel 1, a second flywheel 3 and ribbon-like springs 18. A fluid chamber 17 is formed between the second flywheel 3 and the first flywheel 1. The undulated ribbon-like spring 18 is disposed within the fluid chamber 17. In one embodiment, a projecting ring portion 20a that projects beyond the other ring portions 20 is provided so as to contact with an outer circumferential portion 7a of the fluid chamber 17 in order to prevent the remainder of the spring from contacting the portion 7a of the chamber 17. In another embodiment, a mid-portion of the undulated ribbon-like spring is confined to restrict radially outward movement by a plate and axially aligned pins which prevent radial movement of portions of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5771756
    Abstract: A double damped flywheel having two coaxial masses. A first mass is fixed to a driving shaft of a central portion (20) made of sheet metal and a peripheral massive portion (22) connected to the periphery of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Ayman Mokdad
  • Patent number: 5772519
    Abstract: A torsion damper comprising two coaxial parts which are mounted for rotation of one with respect to the other, with, interposed between these coaxial parts, apart from a centring element, circumferentially acting springs which are lodged in a cavity closed by the centring element, and friction device arranged outside the cavity. The friction device comprise, firstly, a cassette carried by one of the two coaxial parts, and secondly, a drive ring carried by the other coaxial part. The cassette includes at least two friction discs arranged to be coupled in rotation variously to the two coaxial parts of the damper, together with an axially acting resilient ring for holding the friction discs axially together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Jacques Feigler
  • Patent number: 5758419
    Abstract: The present invention includes a flywheel assembly having a first flywheel, a second flywheel, a viscous damper mechanism 3 disposed therebetween, and a boss member 5. The second flywheel is supported on the first flywheel so as to be relatively rotatable via the viscous damper mechanism. The viscous damper mechanism 3 includes disc-shaped plates 9, each having radially inner serrations 9d on radially inner surface thereof. The boss member 5 has radially outer serrations 5a. The boss 5 and plates 9 are provided with a thermal expansion differential prior to assembly. After assembly, the serrations 5a on the boss securely engage the serrations 9d on the inner surface of the plates 9. The plates 9 may be heated or the boss 5 may be cooled to provide a thermal expansion differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Yanagida
  • Patent number: 5752885
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a torque input member coaxially assembled with an output member through a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced resilient elements in such a manner that the resilient elements are enclosed by the torque input member and maintained in engagement with the torque input and output members to transmit input torque from the input member to the output member. The output member has a hub portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced through holes through which a plurality of mounting bolts are inserted and threaded into a hub portion of the torque input member for connection to a drive shaft. The through holes of the output member are each formed to contain the head portion of one of the mounting bolts in such a manner as to permit relative rotaion of the torque input and output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyonori Kobayashi, Makoto Takeuchi, Toshiaki Katsu
  • Patent number: 5743371
    Abstract: A clutch disc assembly interposed between an input side rotary member and an output side member has a hub, disc-like plates, a friction member, an elastic member and a viscous damper mechanism. The hub is connectable for co-rotation with the output side member. The hub has a flange on its outer circumference. The disc-like plates are rotatably mounted on the hub. The friction member is connected to said disc-like plates, for frictional engagement with the input side rotary member. The elastic member is for elastically connecting the flange and the disc-like plates whereby the flange and the disc-like plates are rotatable with respect to each other. The viscous damper mechanism includes a fluid medium, for displacing the fluid medium through restrictions in response to angular movements of the disc-like plates and the flange with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasushi Takehira, Shinichi Noda
  • Patent number: 5730656
    Abstract: A viscous resistance generation mechanism includes a first flywheel, a plurality of sliders and a driven plate. The first flywheel includes an arcuate fluid filled chamber, with the plurality of sliders disposed within the fluid filling chamber and movable in the circumferential direction. The driven plate is formed with a plurality of protrusion which are inserted into each of the plurality of sliders. The plurality of sliders are connected to the driven plate, and the interior of each of said sliders is sealed from the fluid filled chamber. Small torsional vibrations are dampened by large gaps between the fluid filled chamber and the plurality of sliders, and large torsional vibrations are dampened by small gaps between the plurality of protrusions and the interior of each of the plurality of sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5725429
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly having a first flywheel, a second flywheel, a viscous damper mechanism (3) disposed therebetween, and a boss member (5). The second flywheel is supported on the first flywheel so as to be relatively rotatable via the viscous damper mechanism. The viscous damper mechanism (3) includes disc-shaped plates (9), each having radially inner serrations (9d) on radially inner surface thereof. The boss member (5) has radially outer serrations (5a). The boss (5) and plates (9) are provided with a thermal expansion differential prior to assembly. After assembly, the serrations (5a) on the boss securely engage the serrations (9d) on the inner surface of the plates (9). The plates (9) may be heated or the boss (5) may be cooled to provide a thermal expansion differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Yanagida
  • Patent number: 5713796
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly comprising a unitary first flywheel having a hub portion and a radial circumferential portion, the first flywheel connectable to an output shaft, a viscous fluid damping mechanism having a drive member and a driven member, the drive member connected to the first flywheel radial portion, a bearing attached to the driven member and the first flywheel hub portion providing limited rotary displacement therebetween, the bearing, the drive member and the first flywheel defining an annular fluid chamber confining the dampening mechanism, and a second flywheel removably mounted to the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Masanobu Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 5695403
    Abstract: A torsion damper comprising a first rotating element (12) and a second rotating element (14), coaxial with each other and defining between them an annular housing which receives a resilient damping device (32), wherein the greater part of the annular housing (30) is delimited by at least two components (20, 22, 24) of a first one (12) of the two rotating elements. The second (14) rotating element includes a plate (26) together with an annular disc (36) which is fixed to the plate by a set of rivets (39) arranged circumferentially in the vicinity of the inner peripheral edge of the disc (36), and having an annular friction damper system (174) arranged between the first rotating element (12) and the disc (36) of the second rotating element (24). The annular friction damping system (174) is disposed radially outwardly of the zone occupied by the rivets (39) by which the disc (36) is fixed, and radially inwardly with respect to the sealed annular housing (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dieter Rohrle, Ciriaco Bonfilio
  • Patent number: 5653639
    Abstract: A coupling disk has a varying damping cross section of the circumferential gaps as a function of the angle of rotation of the first annular part relative to the second annular part. Thus, in the circumferential gaps, as a result of the shearing effect of the damping fluid, variable damping occurs as a function of the quasi-static angle of rotation due to torque and as a function of the periodic angle of oscillation due to rotational oscillations between the first annular part and the second annular part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 5649864
    Abstract: A torsion damper, especially for a motor vehicle clutch, comprises two coaxial parts, namely a primary and a secondary coaxial part respectively, which are mounted for rotation of one with respect to the other, with circumferentially acting springs, mounted in a grease cavity, acting between the two coaxial parts, while a centring bearing which closes the grease cavity, and a friction assembly, also act between the two coaxial parts. The friction assembly is arranged outside the cavity, with the centring bearing being between the cavity and the friction assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Dieter Rohrle, Ciriaco Bonfilio
  • Patent number: 5609231
    Abstract: A torsional vibration dampening device 14 in a torque converter for dampening torsional vibration of torque transmitted from a piston to a driven plate includes an arc-shaped fluid chamber 26, a slider element 33, a seal element 30a and a choke C. The arc-shaped fluid chamber 26 is coupled to the piston and has an opening extending in circular directions. The slider element 33 sections the arc-shaped fluid chamber 26 in circular directions, are relatively movable in circular directions within the arc-shaped fluid chamber 26, and has a groove 30d corresponding to the opening. The seal element 30a is placed within the arc-shaped fluid chamber 26 and rotates along with the slider element 33 in unity to seal the opening. Fluid in the arc-shaped fluid chamber 26 pass the choke in accordance with the relative movement of the slider element 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5603660
    Abstract: A torsion damping mechanism is disclosed of the type including a viscous damper in which a first sidewall defines a ramp surface. The clutch assembly includes a radially outer portion and a radially inner portion, the portions cooperating to define a plurality of windows or openings. The windows are located axially adjacent the ramp surface such that at least a portion of the fluid in the larger, first reservoir, under the influence of centrifugal force, flows radially outward, impinges the ramp surface, and is then deflected through one of the windows and into the opposite shear chamber. With the present invention, the amount of fluid flowing into the two shear chambers may be equalized, even though the reservoirs contain substantially different volumes of fluid. Thus, the shear chambers are filled faster, and the damper operates more smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Kyle
  • Patent number: 5601492
    Abstract: A two-mass flywheel has a first flywheel mass which can be connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, and can be provided with a thrust bearing for a hub of a second flywheel. The first flywheel can also be designed in its circumferential area with a radial bearing for the hub. The second flywheel can preferably rotate in synchronization with the first flywheel and can also preferably execute a limited rotation relative to the first flywheel. On this flywheel device, the thrust bearing is oriented so that on one hand, a sufficient supply of lubricant to the thrust bearing is always provided, and on the other hand, so that there is an optimal axial guidance of the hub. The invention teaches that this object can be achieved by a thrust bearing with displacement limit stops for the hub provided on both sides of the hub and extending to the radial bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Schierling, Ralf Till, Jorg Sudau
  • Patent number: 5598911
    Abstract: A hydraulic ball coupling assembly (1) comprises an inner hub (2) and an outer hub (3) disposed for relative coaxial rotational engagement. The inner hub (2) includes a continuous sinuate recessed track (4) extending circumferentially around the cylindrical outer surface (5). The outer hub (3) includes a plurality of uniformly spaced axially extending grooves (6) on the inner cylindrical surface (7). The grooves (6) extend in a direction substantially normal to the general effective direction of the sinuate track (4). A slider (10) is reciprocally disposed within each groove (6) and located in the intersecting region (11) of the sinuate track (4) and the respective groove (6) such that relative rotation of the inner and outer hubs (2, 3) causes each slider (10) to oscillate axially within its respective groove (6) while traversing the track (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: BTR Engineering (Australia) Limited
    Inventors: Clifford A. Joachim, Stanislaw Spryszynski
  • Patent number: 5595539
    Abstract: A fluid viscous damper mechanism (4) used in a flywheel assembly includes a first flywheel (1) and a second flywheel (3) which are connected for limited rotary displacement therebetween. The displacement of the two flywheels is defined within a first displacement range and a second displacement range, where the second range is greater than the first range. The flywheels form therebetween a plurality of fluid flow chambers. Disposed between a first and a second of the flow chambers is a sub-choke (S1). Disposed between a third and a fourth of the flow chambers is a main choke (S2). In one embodiment, the sub-choke (S1) produces a predetermined fluid flow resistance force in response to displacement between the flywheels in the first displacement range. The main choke (S2) produces a gradually increasing fluid flow resistance force in response to displacement between the flywheels in the second displacement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5590752
    Abstract: A clutch disc assembly interposed between an input side rotary member and an output side member has a hub, disc-like plates, a friction member, an elastic member and a viscous damper mechanism. The hub is connectable for co-rotation with the output side member. The hub has a flange on its outer circumference. The dlsc-like plates are rotatably mounted on the hub. The friction member is connected to said disc-like plates, for frictional engagement with the input side rotary member. The elastic member is for elastically connecting the flange and the dlsc-like plates whereby the flange and the disc-like plates are rotatable with respect to each other. The viscous damper mechanism includes a fluid medium, for displacing the fluid medium through restrictions in response to angular movements of the dlsc-like plates and the flange with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasushi Takehira, Shinichi Noda
  • Patent number: 5573460
    Abstract: Viscous resistance generation mechanism (71) is a device that dampens torsional vibrations using the restricted flow of a viscous fluid. The mechanism is installed in a flywheel assembly having a first flywheel and a second flywheel coupled to allow for limited relative rotary displacement. The viscous resistance generation mechanism (71) is equipped with a first choke (S1) that generates a resistive force through the passage of a viscous fluid between small chambers formed on either side of the choke (S1) in response to rotary displacement between the flywheels in a first angular displacement range. A second choke (S2) produces a resistive force in a second displacement range greater than the first displacement range, the resistive force of the second choke (S2) being larger than the resistive force produced by the first choke (S1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventor: Mitsuo Toji
  • Patent number: 5569086
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly comprises a first flywheel, a second flywheel supported on the first flywheel so as to be rotatable, a drive member connected to said first flywheel to ensure a space in which viscous fluid can be contained therebetween, a driven member connected to the second flywheel to constitute, together with the first flywheel and the drive member, a fluid chamber with which viscous fluid is filled, a coil spiring for elastically connecting the members to each other, and a viscous damper part for moving viscous fluid in the fluid chamber in response to relative rotation between both the members to create viscous resistance. The driven member has a window hole containing the coil spring and a fluid supplying path connecting with the fluid chamber from the window hole. The viscous damper part has chokes for creating viscous resistance when the first flywheel and the driven member are relatively rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masanobu Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 5569087
    Abstract: The device relates to a viscous torsional vibration dampening device for a flywheel mechanism and includes a flywheel (1), drive plates (14), driven plates (15), and a fluid filled chamber housing 18. The drive plates 14, the chamber housing and the flywheel are coupled to one another and rotate together. Within the chamber housing is a first slider cap (30) that forms a first choke between an inner surface of the chamber housing and is arranged to freely move circumferentially inside the liquid chamber. With the first slider cap (30) is a second slider cap (31). The second slider cap (31) is arranged to freely move circumferentially within the confines of the first slider cap (30). A second choke is defined between an inner surface of the first slider cap and an outer surface of the second slider cap that has a fluid path area smaller than that of the first choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kozo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5562541
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly having a clutch disk and at least one flywheel includes the use of at least one undulated ribbon spring formed of an elongated metallic strip, folded in accordion fashion, having an arcuate shape and having a plurality of flat-spring loop sections symmetrically staggered along the arcuate shape. The spring is disposed in a fluid filled chamber within the flywheel assembly. The spring is compressed and expands in response to relative rotary displacement between adjacent parts within the flywheel assembly. The spring absorbs vibration from the adjacent parts within the flywheel assembly. Further, the spring further inhibits the flow of fluid within the fluid filled chamber further absorbing vibrations in response to rotary displacement between adjacent parts within the flywheel assembly. The spring may be disposed in a fluid filled chamber formed within the clutch disk or in other portions of the flywheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hirotaka Fukushima
  • Patent number: 5547056
    Abstract: An oil dam coupling for connecting an output shaft of a transmission arrangement to an input shaft of a pump assembly. The oil dam coupling includes a first member splined to the output shaft and a second member splined to the input shaft. The first member has an end plate which forms a cavity and retains oil within the cavity. The second member engages the first member within the cavity. The oil interacting between the first member and the second member within the cavity will reduce torsional wrap of the output shaft and reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight V. Stone, Charles E. Whalen
  • Patent number: 5536208
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations in the power train between the engine and the transmission of an automobile has a first flywheel connectable to the crankshaft of the engine, a second flywheel connectable to the input shaft of the transmission by a friction clutch, and at least one damper between the flywheels. The damper has a twin-section output element which is axially movably secured to the second flywheel by a toothed coupling and is biased by coil springs which react against the first flywheel. The sections of the output element are biased in opposite directions by at least one of the coil springs or by one or more additional coil springs so that the teeth of the coupling mate without play, at least under no-load or partial-load operating conditions in the neutral position of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Krumm
  • Patent number: 5513731
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping device is disposed between an input front cover and a torque converter body for damping torsional vibration transmitted to an output member from an input member. The device includes a pair of side plates 20 and 21, a pair of cases 22 and 23. and a slider 25. The pair of side plates 20 and 21 are coupled together but spaced apart from one another and define an annular chamber therebetween. A piston 11 is coupled to the plates for axial movement but restricted from movement in a radial direction with respect to the plates. The pair of cases 22 and 23 is disposed between the side plates 20 and 21 within the annular chamber defining an arcuate chamber 24. The slider 25 is connectable to a driven plate 12 and is slidably disposed in the fluid chamber 24. Thee outer surfaces of the slider and tile inner surfaces of the fluid chamber 24 define a choke which restricts tile flow of fluid around the slider as it moves within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5493936
    Abstract: A two-mass flywheel includes a device (11) that in series with a slip friction clutch (13) couples a secondary mass (5) rotationally-elastically to a primary mass (1). The slip friction clutch (13) includes two side disks (25, 27), similar to cup springs, that engage opposite faces of a center disk (21) at the same effective diameter. The two side disks (25, 27) are preassembled to make a subassembly in which the spring preload can be adjusted after assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernd Stockmann, Bernhard Schierling
  • Patent number: 5487704
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jackel
  • Patent number: 5454459
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes drive plates coupled to an input shaft from an engine, a flywheel supported rotatably on the input shaft, a driven disc radially outwardly extending between the opposed drive plates and fixed on the flywheel, and a pair of L-shape thrust members located in a space between the opposed drive plates and forming a liquid chamber. The lining secured to outer side surfaces of the thrust members are brought into frictional engagement with inner side surfaces of the drive plates when a liquid pressure in the chamber is increased and the thrust members are axially moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Sadakari, Masakazu Kamiya, Kiyonori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5449054
    Abstract: A rotary damper, in particular for actuated parts in automotive vehicles, comprising a housing including a cylindrical damper chamber, a liquid in the chamber, a rotatably supported shaft in the chamber having at least one vane such that upon rotation of the shaft displaced liquid flows through a flow constriction between the vane and the wall of the chamber, characterized in that the vane is inclined relative to the shaft in the circumferential direction of the shaft and relative to a diameter extending through the base of the vane, and that the vane is adapted to swing relative to the shaft such that upon a rotation of the shaft in one sense the vane is moved towards the chamber wall and upon rotation in the opposite sense the vane is moved towards the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: ITW-ATECO GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Wiese, Roland Klein