Patent US3972397A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3972397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torque converter and slipping clutch assembly
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1975-08-11
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A torque converter and clutch assembly wherein the clutch is selectively maintained in slipping engagement with the torque converter input to provide a split torque drive in the assembly resulting in increased overall efficiency of the assembly. The engagement force of the clutch is proportional to the rearward axial thrust force on the turbine which thrust force is normally greatest when the converter is stalled and is imposed on a spring member which deflects proportionally to the thrust to control fluid flow to the disengagement side of the clutch through a variable restriction. The spring cooperates with a passage formed in the turbine hub, to form the variable restriction through which fluid must pass to enter the disengagement chamber of the clutch. The disengagement chamber has a fixed restriction exhaust passage so that the disengagement pressure is determined by the size of the variable restriction.
Inventors
- 👤 Forrest R. Cheek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H45/00; F16H45/02; F16H2045/0273; F16H2045/0294
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A torque converter and clutch comprising; impeller means, a stator, a turbine in toroidal fluid flow relation with said impeller means and stator and including a turbine hub having fluid passage means formed therethrough and a splined inner diameter adapted to be drivingly connected to an output shaft, a clutch support hub having a smooth outer cylindrical surface, a flat spring disposed between said turbine hub and said clutch support hub having a plurality of radially extending spring fingers, one of said fingers being disposed in close proximity to one end of said fluid passage means, first fastener means for securing said turbine hub, said clutch support hub and said flat spring together, an annular spring retainer member abutting said spring fingers including a lip portion disposed circumjacent said spring fingers, a bladed turbine member having an annular surface, and a spacer member disposed between said spring retainer and said annular surface of said turbine member in interdigital relation with said turbine hub, second fastener means for securing said spring retainer, said bladed turbine member and said spacer member together; and clutch means sealingly axially slidably disposed on said cylindrical surface and being drivingly connected to said turbine hub for transmitting torque from said impeller means to said turbine hub in accordance with an axial engagement force determined by fluid flow through said fluid passage means, said turbine member being movable against said flat spring in response to the speed differential between said impeller and turbine to move said one spring finger relative to said one end of said fluid passage means whereby fluid flow through said fluid passage means is controlled to control the axial engagement force of said clutch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A torque converter and clutch comprising; impeller means, a stator, a turbine in toroidal fluid flow relation with said impeller means and stator and including a turbine hub having fluid passage means formed therethrough and a splined inner diameter adapted to be drivingly connected to an output shaft, a clutch support hub having a smooth outer cylindrical surface, a flat spring disposed between said turbine hub and said clutch support hub having a plurality of radially extending spring fingers, one of said fingers being disposed in close proximity to one end of said fluid passage means, first fastener means for securing said turbine hub, said clutch support hub and said flat spring together, an annular spring retainer member abutting said spring fingers including a lip portion disposed circumjacent said spring fingers, a bladed turbine member having an annular surface, and a spacer member disposed between said spring retainer and said annular surface of said turbine member in interdigital relation with said turbine hub, second fastener means for securing said spring retainer, said bladed turbine member and said spacer member together; and clutch means sealingly axially slidably disposed on said cylindrical surface and being drivingly connected to said turbine hub for transmitting torque from said impeller means to said turbine hub in accordance with an axial engagement force determined by fluid flow through said fluid passage means, said turbine member being movable against said flat spring in response to the speed differential between said impeller and turbine to move said one spring finger relative to said one end of said fluid passage means whereby fluid flow through said fluid passage means is controlled to control the axial engagement force of said clutch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
292 words
A torque converter and clutch comprising; impeller means, a stator, a turbine in toroidal fluid flow relation with said impeller means and stator and including a turbine hub having fluid passage means formed therethrough and a splined inner diameter adapted to be drivingly connected to an output shaft, a clutch support hub having a smooth outer cylindrical surface, a flat spring disposed between said turbine hub and said clutch support hub having a plurality of radially extending spring fingers, one of said fingers being disposed in close proximity to one end of said fluid passage, a variable restriction formed by said one finger and said fluid passage means, first fastener means for securing said turbine hub, said clutch support hub and said flat spring together, an annular spring retainer abutting said spring fingers including a lip portion disposed circumjacent said spring fingers, a bladed turbine member having an annular surface, and a spacer member disposed between said spring retainer and said annular surface of said turbine member in interdigital relation with said turbine hub, second fastener means for securing said spring retainer, said bladed turbine member and said spacer member together; and clutch means sealingly axially slidably disposed on said cylindrical surface and being drivingly connected to said turbine hub for transmitting torque from said impeller means to said turbine hub in accordance with an axial engagement force determined by the pressure drop across said variable restriction, said spring retainer being movable against said flat spring in response to the speed differential between said impeller and turbine to move said one spring finger relative to said one end of said fluid passage means whereby fluid flow through said variable restriction is controlled to control the axial engagement force of said clutch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
292 words
A torque converter and clutch comprising; impeller means, a stator, a turbine in toroidal fluid flow relation with said impeller means and stator and including a turbine hub having fluid passage means formed therethrough and a splined inner diameter adapted to be drivingly connected to an output shaft, a clutch support hub having a smooth outer cylindrical surface, a flat spring disposed between said turbine hub and said clutch support hub having a plurality of radially extending spring fingers, one of said fingers being disposed in close proximity to one end of said fluid passage, a variable restriction formed by said one finger and said fluid passage means, first fastener means for securing said turbine hub, said clutch support hub and said flat spring together, an annular spring retainer abutting said spring fingers including a lip portion disposed circumjacent said spring fingers, a bladed turbine member having an annular surface, and a spacer member disposed between said spring retainer and said annular surface of said turbine member in interdigital relation with said turbine hub, second fastener means for securing said spring retainer, said bladed turbine member and said spacer member together; and clutch means sealingly axially slidably disposed on said cylindrical surface and being drivingly connected to said turbine hub for transmitting torque from said impeller means to said turbine hub in accordance with an axial engagement force determined by the pressure drop across said variable restriction, said spring retainer being movable against said flat spring in response to the speed differential between said impeller and turbine to move said one spring finger relative to said one end of said fluid passage means whereby fluid flow through said variable restriction is controlled to control the axial engagement force of said clutch means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3730315A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |