US3768613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid clutch housing
Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-10
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A wet-type, friction-disc clutch having an internal, fluid control distribution and reservoir system which provides lubrication and cooling fluid for the clutch discs, and which is self-priming and nonsiphoning and will limit drain back from the reservoir to the rotative members when the clutch members are not rotating. All the component members of the system are located within the confines of the clutch housing, thus a simple and compact unit with no external fluid connections is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 G Brunner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 07:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D13/00; F16D13/58; F16D13/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A clutch housing means adapted for use with a fluid-cooled and lubricated disc clutch, said housing means comprising; an annular shell member for enclosing working components of said disc clutch, a fluid reservoir means for supply cooling and lubricating fluid formed within said shell member as an integral part of said shell member, said shell member being formed as one piece with said reservoir means, means for pressurizing said fluid reservoir, fluid passage means formed within said shell member for transferring cooling and lubricating fluid to and from said reservoir means to and from said working components of said disc clutch, said fluid passage means including priming means having first conduit means with a first outlet and a first inlet and second conduit means with a second inlet and second outlet and wherein said first outlet is positioned relative to said first inlet and second inlet and outlet for maintaining at least a predetermined amount of priming fluid in said fluid reservoir at all times.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A clutch housing means adapted for use with a fluid-cooled and lubricated disc clutch, said housing means comprising; an annular shell member for enclosing working components of said disc clutch, a fluid reservoir means for supply cooling and lubricating fluid formed within said shell member as an integral part of said shell member, said shell member being formed as one piece with said reservoir means, means for pressurizing said fluid reservoir, fluid passage means formed within said shell member for transferring cooling and lubricating fluid to and from said reservoir means to and from said working components of said disc clutch, said fluid passage means including priming means having first conduit means with a first outlet and a first inlet and second conduit means with a second inlet and second outlet and wherein said first outlet is positioned relative to said first inlet and second inlet and outlet for maintaining at least a predetermined amount of priming fluid in said fluid reservoir at all times.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said housing means further comprises a tubular portion which sealingly engages said annular shell member and which is adapted to receive an output shaft means of said disc clutch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said priming means include a flow-controlling orifice located within said fluid passage means in a portion of said passage means leading from said reservoir means to said working components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said integrally formed fluid reservoir means is pressurized when said disc clutch is operating and wherein pressure regulating means are mounted upon said shell member in communication with said reservoir means to maintain said reservoir between a predetermined range of positive pressures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said integrally formed fluid reservoir means are located in said shell member in a position relative to said working components which limits the amount of possible fluid drain-back from said fluid reservoir means to said working components when said working components are inoperative such that a controlled fluid level is maintained in the portion of said annular shell member wherein said working components reside.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
The invention of claim 1, in combination with a pair of fluid-cooled and lubricated clutch disc means one of said clutch discs being operatively connected to a clutch output shaft means, said disc means and said output shaft means being removably received within said clutch housing means whereby lubrication and cooling for said clutch disc means are provided by said fluid reservoir means and said fluid passage means without recourse to cooling and lubricating apparatus external to said clutch housing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein, when said housing means is disposed in normal operative position, said first outlet is disposed vertically higher than said second outlet and inlet and said first inlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said means for pressurizing said reservoir include a flared portion on said first conduit means first inlet and wherein a flow-controlling orifice means is provided in said second conduit second inlet for restricting flow from said fluid reservoir means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3366210A
Cited
US3610384A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |