US3782516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid clutch
Assignee: McGraw Edison Co
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Filing: 1972-10-27
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A fluid clutch having a diaphragm defining within a housing a fluid tight chamber, a clutch shaft having a disc keyed thereto for rotation in the housing adjacent the diaphragm but on the exceed thereof opposite from the chamber, a pair of friction elements adjacent and sandwiching the disc and means precluding rotation of the friction elements while allowing axial movement thereof, a thrust plate between the diaphragm and adjacent friction element, and means for communicating fluid pressure to the chamber to flex the diaphragm sufficiently to bind the disc between the friction elements and against rotation relative to the housing. In the transmission of rotary shaft power, a clutch is frequently used for selectively connecting together or releasing a driving member and a driven member. The output requirement of such a clutch can exceed 1000 inch pounds of torque at over 1,000 revolutions per minute Moreover, many such clutches are needed since some industrial type machines might require that many pairs of driving and driven members be selectively connected together, and two or even three clutches might be connected in parallel between each pair for controlled drive of the driven member in either direction or total braking of the same.
Inventors
- 👤 P Frisby
- 👤 E Stanny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D25/00; F16D25/04; F16D25/042; F16D25/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A fluid clutch, comprising a housing formed of two components secured together, a diaphragm supported annularly between the components and defining within the housing on opposite sides of the diaphragm a working cavity open to one of the components and a chamber open to the other of the components, the one housing component having a bore open to the working cavity, a bearing received in the bore, a shaft supported for rotation within the bearing, a radial disc and means keying the disc to the shaft for common rotation therewith within the working cavity while allowing disc movement axially of the shaft, a pair of friction elements disposed adjacent and sandwiching the radial disc, a thrust plate disposed between the diaphragm and the adjacent friction element, means precluding rotation of the friction elements while allowing axial movement of the said adjacent element within the housing relative to the other, and means for communicating fluid pressure to the chamber sufficient to displace the thrust plate against the adjacent friction element and to bottom the friction elements against the housing operable to trap the radial disc there between.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A fluid clutch, comprising a housing formed of two components secured together, a diaphragm supported annularly between the components and defining within the housing on opposite sides of the diaphragm a working cavity open to one of the components and a chamber open to the other of the components, the one housing component having a bore open to the working cavity, a bearing received in the bore, a shaft supported for rotation within the bearing, a radial disc and means keying the disc to the shaft for common rotation therewith within the working cavity while allowing disc movement axially of the shaft, a pair of friction elements disposed adjacent and sandwiching the radial disc, a thrust plate disposed between the diaphragm and the adjacent friction element, means precluding rotation of the friction elements while allowing axial movement of the said adjacent element within the housing relative to the other, and means for communicating fluid pressure to the chamber sufficient to displace the thrust plate against the adjacent friction element and to bottom the friction elements against the housing operable to trap the radial disc there between.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A fluid clutch according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pins are secured in the housing and fit freely through openings in the friction elements to serve as the said means precluding rotation of the friction elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fluid clutch according to claim 1, further including a plurality of springs located between the housing and thrust plate normally urging the thrust plate to the clutch disengaged condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A fluid clutch according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of pins are secured in the housing and fit freely through openings in the friction elements to serve as the said means precluding rotation of the friction elements, and further wherein the pins are hollow and receive and hold the said springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A fluid clutch according to claim 1, wherein the said shaft has a cylindrical portion received in said bearing and further has a polygonal portion that fits freely but closely within a correspondingly shaped opening in the radial disc serving too as the means keying the disc to the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A fluid clutch according to claim 5, wherein a collar is secured on the said shaft outside of the housing and a retaining ring is secured on the said shaft in the working space of the housing at a location between the thrust plate and radial disc operable to abut with the latter, and where nominal clearance is provided between the ring and collar and the adjacent radial disc and bearing, respectively, operable to allow the required shifting of the radial disc in the housing while also limiting axial movement of the said shaft relative to the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fluid clutch according to claim 1, wherein the means for communicating fluid pressure to the chamber includes a swivel element connected to the housing axially of the clutch shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A fluid clutch according to claim 1, further including the combination of a second shaft and frame member, means on the housing for connection of the frame member to the housing, and means including a bore and keyway combination therefor concentrically in the first named shaft for keyed receipt of the second shaft.
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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |