US3904008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch release bearing having resilient centering and silencing means
Assignee: NTN Europe SA
•
Filing: 1974-04-12
•
Granted: 1975-09-09
•
Expires: 1994-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A clutch release bearing of the type including a thrust bearing slidably mounted on a guide tube for axial movement by a clutch actuator to disengage the clutch includes centering means to permit alignment and centering of the bearing axis with the axis of the clutch despite misalignment between the axes of the guide tube and clutch. The entering means includes a resilient centering ring which encircles and slides along the guide tube, with the centering ring being designed to permit both radial and angular deflection to permit both centering and alignment of the bearing axis relative to the clutch axis. The resilient centering ring also acts as a vibration dampener to silence the clutch.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Sonnerat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C27/00; F16C27/04; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/12; F16D23/14; F16D23/142; F16C19/00; F16C19/02; F16C19/04; F16C19/06; F16C19/14; F16C19/16; F16C19/163; F16C2361/00; F16C2361/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A clutch release bearing assembly comprising a centering and silencing ring formed from a resilient flexible material capable of being injection or compression molded, a thrust bearing having an inner race and a rotating outer race, clutch release actuating means for axially moving said thrust bearing to disengage the clutch, said centering and silencing ring being mounted on said thrust bearing for axial sliding movement on a bearing guide tube and being mounted onto said actuating means, and an annular recess formed in the inner surface of said centering ring to allow the ring to be radially and angularly deformed to permit both resilient centering and aligning of the bearing axes relative to the axis of the clutch and to substantially eliminate noise during the entire clutching operation, said recess also defining an annular lubricant reservoir between said ring and said guide tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A clutch release bearing assembly comprising a centering and silencing ring formed from a resilient flexible material capable of being injection or compression molded, a thrust bearing having an inner race and a rotating outer race, clutch release actuating means for axially moving said thrust bearing to disengage the clutch, said centering and silencing ring being mounted on said thrust bearing for axial sliding movement on a bearing guide tube and being mounted onto said actuating means, and an annular recess formed in the inner surface of said centering ring to allow the ring to be radially and angularly deformed to permit both resilient centering and aligning of the bearing axes relative to the axis of the clutch and to substantially eliminate noise during the entire clutching operation, said recess also defining an annular lubricant reservoir between said ring and said guide tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A clutch release bearing according to claim 1 wherein said bearing actuating means is employed as a rigid centering element and wherein said resilient centering ring is mounted onto said bearing actuating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The clutch release bearing according to claim 1, further comprising a circular groove formed on said resilient centering ring, said groove providing means whereby a clutch release bearing control fork wear washer may be clipped onto said bearing assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A clutch release bearing according to claim 3 further comprising an annular shoulder on said centering ring and connecting the bearing to said resilient centering ring mounted on said actuating means, said actuating means being a rigid centering element, and a deflector clamped on said rotating outer race.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A clutch release bearing according to claim 1 wherein said resilient centering ring further comprises an axially extending tubular sleeve integrally molded thereon, said sleeve comprising a circular lip coming into contact with the outer race of the bearing, said circular lip including an outwardly flared portion of reduced wall thickness adjacent its end, said outer race having a substantially radial inner part engaging said lip to seal said bearing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2995406A
Cited
US3333664A
Cited
US3604545A
Cited
US3625327A
Cited
US3631954A
Cited
US3805934A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |