Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A torsional damping mechanism (19) for driving connection between input and output drives (26,54) of a torque transmitting driveline; the mechanism including a viscous coupling (22) having first and second members (24a,72) respectively adapted for connection to the input and output drives, the members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis for viscous clutching coaction therebetween to damp driveline torsionals; the improvement comprising: resilient means (20) interconnecting the members in parallel with the clutching coaction for transmitting steady-state driveline torque between the drives (26,54) for isolating driveline torsionals, and for limiting relative rotation between the members (24a,72); and means (72a, 1 84f') interposed between one of the members (72') and its associated drive (84') for allowing limited relative rotation therebetween when the driveline torque is less than a predetermined minimum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A torsional damping mechanism (19) for driving connection between input and output drives (26,54) of a torque transmitting driveline; the mechanism including a viscous coupling (22) having first and second members (24a,72) respectively adapted for connection to the input and output drives, the members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis for viscous clutching coaction therebetween to damp driveline torsionals; the improvement comprising: resilient means (20) interconnecting the members in parallel with the clutching coaction for transmitting steady-state driveline torque between the drives (26,54) for isolating driveline torsionals, and for limiting relative rotation between the members (24a,72); and means (72a, 1 84f') interposed between one of the members (72') and its associated drive (84') for allowing limited relative rotation therebetween when the driveline torque is less than a predetermined minimum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism of Claim 1, wherein said means (72a',84f') interposed includes second resilient means (110) having a relatively low resilient rate opposing said limited relative rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mechanism of Claim 1, wherein said resilient means interconnecting the members has a relatively low resilient rate (61') when the absolute value of the driveline torque is below a predetermined amount and a relatively higher resilient rate (61',62') when the absolute value of the driveline torque is above a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
A torsional damping mechanism adapted for connection between input and output drives (26,54) of a torque transmitting driveline; first and second members (24a,72) respectively adapted for connection to the input and output drives, and mounted for relative rotation about a common axis for viscous clutching coaction therebetween to damp driveline torsionals; the improvement comprising: resilient means (20) interconnecting the members in parallel; with the clutching coaction for transmitting steady-state driveline torque between the drives (26,54) and for isolating driveline torsionals, said resilient means having a relatively low resilient rate (61') when the absolute value of the driveline torque is below a predetermined amodnt and a relatively higher resilient rate (61',62') when the absolute value of the driveline torque is above the predetermined amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
A torsional damping mechanism adapted for connection between input and output drives (26,54) of a torque transmitting driveline; first and second members (24a,72) respectively adapted for connection to the input and output drives, and mounted for relative rotation about a common axis for viscous clutching coaction therebetween to damp driveline torsionals; the improvement comprising: resilient means (20) interconnecting the members in parallel; with the clutching coaction for transmitting steady-state driveline torque between the drives (26,54) and for isolating driveline torsionals, said resilient means having a relatively low resilient rate (61') when the absolute value of the driveline torque is below a predetermined amodnt and a relatively higher resilient rate (61',62') when the absolute value of the driveline torque is above the predetermined amount.