US3596742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch and brake fluidic control system therefor
Assignee: Metal Bellows Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-14
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A bellows-operated clutch is actuated by a sharp pulse from a fluidic digital amplifier. The amplifier is controlled, in turn, by a fluidic gate which can be pulsed on and off very rapidly.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J Zierak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D67/00; F16D67/02; F16D67/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/212; Y10T137/2125; Y10T137/2147; Y10T137/2158; Y10T137/218; Y10T137/2202; Y10T137/2213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A high-speed clutch comprising A. a housing, B. a driving member rotatively mounted in the housing, C. a driven member rotatively mounted in the housing, D. a bellows having one end connected to one of the driving and driven members, E. a friction plate affixed to the free end of the bellows and disposed opposite the other of the driving and driven members, said bellows being arranged so that it biases the plate into frictional engagement with the other member so that the driving and driven members are rotatively coupled together, F. a passage for conducting fluid under pressure into the housing cavity containing the bellows so as to collapse the bellows and retract the friction plate from the other member so that the driving and driven members rotate independently, and G. a fluidic control section including 1 a fluidic amplifier having an outlet connected to the passage, 2 a fluidic gate having its outlets connected to the control inlets of said amplifier, 3 means for connecting the supply inlets of the amplifier and gate to a source of fluid under pressure, and H. means at a control port of the gate for switching the gate so that the output of the amplifier is switched to the passage and a sharp pulse of fluid is applied from the source directly to the clutch cavity whereby the friction plate is retracted from the other member very quickly and with a minimum amount of drag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
A high-speed clutch comprising A. a housing, B. a driving member rotatively mounted in the housing, C. a driven member rotatively mounted in the housing, D. a bellows having one end connected to one of the driving and driven members, E. a friction plate affixed to the free end of the bellows and disposed opposite the other of the driving and driven members, said bellows being arranged so that it biases the plate into frictional engagement with the other member so that the driving and driven members are rotatively coupled together, F. a passage for conducting fluid under pressure into the housing cavity containing the bellows so as to collapse the bellows and retract the friction plate from the other member so that the driving and driven members rotate independently, and G. a fluidic control section including 1 a fluidic amplifier having an outlet connected to the passage, 2 a fluidic gate having its outlets connected to the control inlets of said amplifier, 3 means for connecting the supply inlets of the amplifier and gate to a source of fluid under pressure, and H. means at a control port of the gate for switching the gate so that the output of the amplifier is switched to the passage and a sharp pulse of fluid is applied from the source directly to the clutch cavity whereby the friction plate is retracted from the other member very quickly and with a minimum amount of drag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A high-speed clutch as defined in claim 1 wherein said switching means comprises A. a piezoelectric transducer arranged opposite a control port in said gate, and B. means for applying a voltage across the transducer so that it expands and closes the port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
a fluidic gate having outlets connected to the control inlets of the amplifier, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
a fluidic gate having outlets connected to the control inlets of the amplifier, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
means for connecting the supply inlets of the amplifier and gate to a source of fluid under pressure, and B. further including means at a control port of the gate for switching the gate so that the output of the amplifier is fed to the clutch housing in the form of a sharp fluid pulse of relatively large amplitude which quickly changes the pressure to which the bellows is subjected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
means for connecting the supply inlets of the amplifier and gate to a source of fluid under pressure, and B. further including means at a control port of the gate for switching the gate so that the output of the amplifier is fed to the clutch housing in the form of a sharp fluid pulse of relatively large amplitude which quickly changes the pressure to which the bellows is subjected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A high-speed clutch as defined in claim 1 wherein said clutch housing has a reduced diameter surface portion positioned adjacent the bellows directly opposite the friction plate so that when the plate is retracted from said other member, it is brought into frictional engagement with the surface portion, thereby stopping the one member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A clutch or brake of the type having a housing and a bellows in the housing arranged to couple torque between two members in the housing when subjected to a first pressure and to decouple the two members when subjected to a second pressure, the improvement comprising A. a fluidic control section integral with the housing, said control section including
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A clutch or brake of the type having a housing and a bellows in the housing arranged to couple torque between two members in the housing when subjected to a first pressure and to decouple the two members when subjected to a second pressure, the improvement comprising A. a fluidic control section integral with the housing, said control section including
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A clutch or brake as defined in claim 4 wherein the switching means comprises a piezoelectric transducer which regulates fluid flow at the control port of the gate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |