By Plural Diverse Forces Patents (Class 74/5.42)
  • Patent number: 8297138
    Abstract: A torque converter comprises a stationary mount, input and output shafts, a primary frame (301) supported by the stationary mount for rotation about a primary axis and coupled for rotation with one of the input and output shafts (302,303), a secondary frame (50) supported by the primary frame (301) for rotation about a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis and coupled for rotation with the other of the input and output shafts, a plurality of flywheels (10) supported by the secondary frame (50) with their spin axes disposed at an angle to one another in the same plane, or in mutually parallel planes, and torsional springs acting between the flywheels and the secondary frame to cause the flywheels to oscillate in use, so as to effect a gyroscopic torque coupling between the primary and secondary frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Dunkan James Harrison