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US3747731A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Constant speed centrifugal clutch

Assignee: Borg Warner Corp
•
Filing: 1972-01-26
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1992-01-26
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Abstract

Abstract A drive system for the transmission of torque from the output of a prime mover such as an internal combustion engine to accessories associated therewith, but which limits the speed of the accessories to a substantially constant, pre-determined maximum regardless of the speed of the input. The drive system includes a friction clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member which are biased to an engaged condition by a diaphragm spring carried by the driven member. Weights attached to the spring are actuable by centrifugal force to exert a force on the spring opposing and decreasing the engaging force as output speed increases to effect a controlled slippage of the clutch.

Inventors

  • 👤 R Smirl

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 05:32
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D65/00; F16D65/02; F16D65/12; F16D65/123; F16D43/00; F16D43/02; F16D43/04; F16D43/06; F16D43/08; F16D43/10; F16D65/125; F16D65/128; F16D2065/13; F16D2065/1304; F16D2065/1316; F16D2065/1328; F16D2065/134; F16D2065/1348; F16D2065/1352; F16D2065/1392; F16D69/00; F16D2069/005; F16D2069/007

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 194 words
A speed limiting torque transmitting device including a rotary driving member including a generally disc-shaped rotor adapted to be connected to an output of a prime mover; a driven member journalled for rotation with respect to said driving member including a housing and torque transmitting means connected thereto; pressure applying means associated with said housing; a pair of friction elements associated with said driven member for conjoint rotation therewith, one disposed on each side of said rotor and adapted to engage said rotor therebetween; a diaphragm spring compressed between said housing and said pressure applying means to exert a force on said pressure applying means urging said friction element into engagement with said rotor; a plurality of centrifugal weights affixed to and carried by said spring and laterally extending from said spring in a direction away from said rotor actuable by centrifugal force to produce a moment on said spring having a force component which increases with the rotational speed of said spring and acts to oppose and decrease said engaging force of said spring thereby resulting in a controlled slip between said driving member and said driven member above a predetermined output speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 194 words
A speed limiting torque transmitting device including a rotary driving member including a generally disc-shaped rotor adapted to be connected to an output of a prime mover; a driven member journalled for rotation with respect to said driving member including a housing and torque transmitting means connected thereto; pressure applying means associated with said housing; a pair of friction elements associated with said driven member for conjoint rotation therewith, one disposed on each side of said rotor and adapted to engage said rotor therebetween; a diaphragm spring compressed between said housing and said pressure applying means to exert a force on said pressure applying means urging said friction element into engagement with said rotor; a plurality of centrifugal weights affixed to and carried by said spring and laterally extending from said spring in a direction away from said rotor actuable by centrifugal force to produce a moment on said spring having a force component which increases with the rotational speed of said spring and acts to oppose and decrease said engaging force of said spring thereby resulting in a controlled slip between said driving member and said driven member above a predetermined output speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
A speed limiting torque transmitting device as in claim 1 wherein said torque transmitting means comprises at least one V-shaped groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
A speed limiting torque transmitting device as in claim 1 including a layer of cushion material carried by said pressure applying means disposed between said pressure applying means and said friction element associated therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
A speed limiting torque transmitting device as in claim 1 wherein said torque transmitting means comprises at least one pulley connected to said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
A speed limiting torque transmitting device as in claim 1 including a reaction member connected to said housing for rotation therewith and one of said friction elements being carried by said reaction member.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

No citation records indexed.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-07-23 1977-01-22 1977-07-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-07-23 1981-01-22 1981-07-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-07-23 1985-01-22 1985-07-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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