US3831461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential transmission
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-11-03
•
Granted: 1974-08-27
•
Expires: 1992-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A differential transmission for automobiles which has a hydraulic mechanism in the differential carrier for limiting the differential action that can occur between the two driven axle shafts. A closed hydraulic circuit is provided which has compensation means to accommodate volumetric changes of the hydraulic fluid resulting from temperature changes, and the circuit is located in the differential carrier so as to provide optimum use of space provided therein.
Inventors
- 👤 O Mueller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:55
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/20; F16H48/27; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H48/38; F16H48/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A differential transmission comprising a carrier having a ring gear flange at one end for mounting a ring gear, a set of differential gears mounted in said carrier including a pair of side gears for driving a pair of aligned axle shafts, a hydraulic mechanism in said carrier adjacent to said one end thereof having a closed hydraulic circuit and being responsive to relative turning of said side gears to restrict turning of the one side gear located adjacent to said one end of the carrier, said closed hydraulic circuit being located partially within said ring gear flange and filled with hydraulic fluid to the exclusion of air, the portion of said hydraulic circuit located in said ring gear flange including means for accommodation of pressure increases of the hydraulic fluid resulting from temperature changes that occur in said hydraulic fluid, said ring gear flange having a plurality of radial bores open to the outer periphery of said ring gear flange, and closure means at said outer periphery closing the outer ends of said bores, said accommodation means including compensating pistons spring-biased toward the inner ends of said bores, said inner ends defining chambers that are a portion of said closed hydraulic circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A differential transmission comprising a carrier having a ring gear flange at one end for mounting a ring gear, a set of differential gears mounted in said carrier including a pair of side gears for driving a pair of aligned axle shafts, a hydraulic mechanism in said carrier adjacent to said one end thereof having a closed hydraulic circuit and being responsive to relative turning of said side gears to restrict turning of the one side gear located adjacent to said one end of the carrier, said closed hydraulic circuit being located partially within said ring gear flange and filled with hydraulic fluid to the exclusion of air, the portion of said hydraulic circuit located in said ring gear flange including means for accommodation of pressure increases of the hydraulic fluid resulting from temperature changes that occur in said hydraulic fluid, said ring gear flange having a plurality of radial bores open to the outer periphery of said ring gear flange, and closure means at said outer periphery closing the outer ends of said bores, said accommodation means including compensating pistons spring-biased toward the inner ends of said bores, said inner ends defining chambers that are a portion of said closed hydraulic circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The differential transmission that is defined in claim 1, wherein the portion of said hydraulic circuit located in said ring gear flange includes an inlet valve assembly for charging hydraulic fluid into said hydraulic circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The differential transmission that is defined in claim 1, wherein the portion of said hydraulic circuit located in said ring gear flange includes a vent valve assembly for bleeding off air in said hydraulic circuit when charging hydraulic fluid thereinto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The differential transmission that is defined in claim 1, wherein the portion of said hydraulic circuit located in said ring gear flange includes an inlet valve assembly for charging hydraulic fluid into said hydraulic circuit, and a vent valve assembly for bleeding off air in said hydraulic circuit when charging hydraulic fluid thereinto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The differential transmission that is defined in claim 4, wherein said ring gear flange has a plurality of radial bores in which said inlet valve assembly and said vent valve assembly are located.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The differential transmission that is defined in claim 5, wherein the last-named bores open to the radially outer periphery of said ring gear flange and said closure means is a closure band that encircles said outer periphery of said ring gear and overlaps the outer ends of said last-named bores.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
The differential transmission that is defined in claim 1, wherein said hydraulic mechanism includes cam means defining circumferentially arranged rise and fall cam surfaces for rotation with said one side gear, a plurality of radially directed pressure chambers located in said carrier, a plurality of pistons in said chambers operatively engaging said cam surfaces for reciprocation in response to rotation of said one side gear relative to said carrier, restrictive passage means providing communication between sets of said pressure chambers, said pressure chambers and said cam surfaces being arranged so that when relative rotation occurs between said carrier and said one side gear the pistons will reciprocate to transfer hydraulic fluid in said ciRcuit to the extent permitted by said restrictive passage means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The differential transmission that is defined in claim 7, wherein said sets of pressure chambers are three in number, and said cam surfaces are two in number and are diametrically opposed.
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) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |