US4226309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speed responsive rotary coupling
Assignee: BorgWarner Automotive Transmission and Engine Component Corp
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Filing: 1978-04-26
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Granted: 1980-10-07
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Expires: 1998-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A speed responsive coupling especially adapted for use as a lock-up clutch with a torque converter includes a centrifugal follower, load limit spring and stop in combination with a centrifugally engageable friction shoe, providing for low speed lock-up while limiting the torque capacity of the lock-up clutch at higher speeds.
Inventors
- 👤 Russel E. Siliberschlag
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:02
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D43/00; F16D43/02; F16D43/04; F16D43/14; F16D43/18; F16H; F16H45/00; F16H45/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling including a first rotatable member having a circumferentially extending drive surface defined therein, a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member including guide means, and a centrifugally actuated friction shoe movably mounted in said guide means for radial movement toward and from engagement with said drive surface, wherein the improvement comprises auxiliary loading means operatively connected to said friction shoe, said auxiliary loading means including a follower member movably mounted on said second rotatable member, said follower member being movable in a radially outward direction under the influence of centrifugal force responsive to rotation of said second rotatable member, a yieldable load spring engaged between said friction shoe and said follower member, said load spring being subjected to flexure in accordance with radially outward movement of said follower member, whereby said load spring imposes a force on said shoe proportional to flexure of said spring by said follower member, and further including stop means operative to limit outward movement of said follower member whereby after initial shoe contact with said drive surface, the engaging force of said shoe will have a first relationship to rotational speed of said second rotatable member, and after the follower member contacts the stop means, a second relationship between the shoe engaging force and rotational speed of said second rotatable member is developed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling including a first rotatable member having a circumferentially extending drive surface defined therein, a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member including guide means, and a centrifugally actuated friction shoe movably mounted in said guide means for radial movement toward and from engagement with said drive surface, wherein the improvement comprises auxiliary loading means operatively connected to said friction shoe, said auxiliary loading means including a follower member movably mounted on said second rotatable member, said follower member being movable in a radially outward direction under the influence of centrifugal force responsive to rotation of said second rotatable member, a yieldable load spring engaged between said friction shoe and said follower member, said load spring being subjected to flexure in accordance with radially outward movement of said follower member, whereby said load spring imposes a force on said shoe proportional to flexure of said spring by said follower member, and further including stop means operative to limit outward movement of said follower member whereby after initial shoe contact with said drive surface, the engaging force of said shoe will have a first relationship to rotational speed of said second rotatable member, and after the follower member contacts the stop means, a second relationship between the shoe engaging force and rotational speed of said second rotatable member is developed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling according to claim 1, wherein said second rotary member includes a pair of spaced pins engageable with said follower member defining said stop means limiting radial outward movement of said follower.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling according to claim 1, including a third rotatable member and including an overrunning clutch connected between said second rotatable member and said third rotatable member permitting said third rotatable member to overrun said second rotatable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling according to claim 3, wherein said first rotatable member is connected to the impeller element of a fluid torque converter, and said third rotatable member is connected to the turbine element of said fluid torque converter, said second rotatable member providing a speed responsive frictional connection between said first and third rotatable members, said auxiliary loading means limiting the torque transmittable through said drive surface and friction shoe above a selected speed of rotation of said second rotatable member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling according to claim 2, including a retractor spring between said second rotatable member and said follower member, said spring having a mid portion secured to said follower member and opposite ends engaging said guide means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
208 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling including a first rotatable member having a circumferentially extending drive surface defined therein, a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member including guide means, and a centrifugally actuated friction shoe movably mounted in said guide means for movement toward and from engagement with said drive surface, wherein the improvement comprises auxiliary loading means operatively connected to said friction shoe, said auxiliary loading means including a follower member movably mounted on said second rotatable member, said follower member being movable in a radially outward direction under the influence of centrifugal force responsive to rotation of said second rotatable member, a yieldable load spring engaged between said friction shoe and said follower member, said friction shoe including a pair of spaced channel portions, said follower member having end portions received in said channel portions, said load spring being a leaf spring having a mid portion engaging said follower member and end portions engaging said friction shoe and being subjected to flexure in accordance with radially outward movement of said follower member, whereby said load spring imposes a force on said shoe proportional to flexure of said spring by said follower member, and further including stop means operative to limit outward movement of said follower member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
208 words
A speed responsive rotary coupling including a first rotatable member having a circumferentially extending drive surface defined therein, a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member including guide means, and a centrifugally actuated friction shoe movably mounted in said guide means for movement toward and from engagement with said drive surface, wherein the improvement comprises auxiliary loading means operatively connected to said friction shoe, said auxiliary loading means including a follower member movably mounted on said second rotatable member, said follower member being movable in a radially outward direction under the influence of centrifugal force responsive to rotation of said second rotatable member, a yieldable load spring engaged between said friction shoe and said follower member, said friction shoe including a pair of spaced channel portions, said follower member having end portions received in said channel portions, said load spring being a leaf spring having a mid portion engaging said follower member and end portions engaging said friction shoe and being subjected to flexure in accordance with radially outward movement of said follower member, whereby said load spring imposes a force on said shoe proportional to flexure of said spring by said follower member, and further including stop means operative to limit outward movement of said follower member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
202 words
A rotary coupling including a first rotatable member having a circumferentially extending surface defined therein, a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member including guide means, and a friction shoe assembly slidably mounted in said guide means for radial movement toward and from engagement with said surface, said shoe assembly including a friction shoe and loading means operatively connected to said friction shoe, said loading means being movable radially outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force responsive to rotation of said second rotatable member, a load spring engaged between said friction shoe and said loading means, said load spring being subjected to flexure in accordance with radially outward movement of said loading means whereby said load spring imposes a force on said shoe proportional to the force imposed thereon by said loading means, and further including stop means operative to limit outward radial movement of said loading means, whereby after initial shoe contact with said surface, the engaging force of said shoe will have a first relationship to rotational speed of said second rotatable member, and after the loading means contacts the stop means, a second relationship between the shoe engaging force and rotational speed of said second rotatable member is developed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
202 words
A rotary coupling including a first rotatable member having a circumferentially extending surface defined therein, a second rotatable member, said second rotatable member including guide means, and a friction shoe assembly slidably mounted in said guide means for radial movement toward and from engagement with said surface, said shoe assembly including a friction shoe and loading means operatively connected to said friction shoe, said loading means being movable radially outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force responsive to rotation of said second rotatable member, a load spring engaged between said friction shoe and said loading means, said load spring being subjected to flexure in accordance with radially outward movement of said loading means whereby said load spring imposes a force on said shoe proportional to the force imposed thereon by said loading means, and further including stop means operative to limit outward radial movement of said loading means, whereby after initial shoe contact with said surface, the engaging force of said shoe will have a first relationship to rotational speed of said second rotatable member, and after the loading means contacts the stop means, a second relationship between the shoe engaging force and rotational speed of said second rotatable member is developed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A coupling as defined in claim 7, wherein said guide means comprises a notch formed in said second rotatable member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A coupling is defined in claim 8, wherein said shoe assembly includes means defining slots receiving said second rotatable means whereby said slots guide said shoe assembly for slidable radial movement in said guide means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-07 | 1984-04-07 | 1984-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-07 | 1988-04-07 | 1988-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-07 | 1992-04-07 | 1992-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |