US4278158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid-friction clutch
Assignee: Mahle Behr GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1979-04-05
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Granted: 1981-07-14
•
Expires: 1999-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A temperature-controlled, fluid-friction clutch filled with a viscous fluid. The clutch has a drive disk mounted for rotation, the disk being flexible in the direction of the rotational axis. First and second clutch-driven plates have respective co-planar drive surfaces facing and spaced apart from surfaces of the drive disk, the space between the clutch-driven plates defining a fluid working space. A fluid storage space is also defined and an element is provided for pumping fluid from the working space into the storage space. A temperature-controlled valve controls flow of fluid between the working space and the storage space.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D35/00; F16D35/02; F16D35/021; F16D35/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A temperature-controlled, fluid-friction clutch filled with viscous fluid, comprising: a drive disk mounted for rotation about an axis, said disk being flexible in the direction of said axis; first and second clutch-driven plates mounted for rotation about said axis, said plates having respective co-planar drive surfaces facing and spaced apart from respective surfaces of said drive disk, the space between said clutch-driven plates defining a fluid working space; means defining a fluid storage space adjacent said first clutch-driven plate; means extending from one said clutch-driven plate into said working space for pumping said viscous fluid from said working space into said storage space; and temperature-controlled valve means operatively connected for controlling flow of said viscous fluid between said working space and said storage space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A temperature-controlled, fluid-friction clutch filled with viscous fluid, comprising: a drive disk mounted for rotation about an axis, said disk being flexible in the direction of said axis; first and second clutch-driven plates mounted for rotation about said axis, said plates having respective co-planar drive surfaces facing and spaced apart from respective surfaces of said drive disk, the space between said clutch-driven plates defining a fluid working space; means defining a fluid storage space adjacent said first clutch-driven plate; means extending from one said clutch-driven plate into said working space for pumping said viscous fluid from said working space into said storage space; and temperature-controlled valve means operatively connected for controlling flow of said viscous fluid between said working space and said storage space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The clutch according to claim 1, wherein said drive disk has a thickness t, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of thickness-to-diameter t/D≦0.015, said drive disk being constructed of a material having a modulus of elasticity E on the order of magnitude of 2.1×10 5 N/mm 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The clutch according to claim 1, wherein said pumping means comprises: a baffle extending into said working space; and an opening in said first clutch-driven plate adjacent said baffle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The clutch according to claim 3, wherein said baffle is integrally formed with said one clutch-driven plate and comprises a flap bent to an angle non-parallel with the drive surface of said one clutch-driven plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The clutch according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein said baffle includes a surface for deflecting said viscous fluid through said opening, said deflecting surface forming an angle of between 30° and 90° with the plane of rotation of said drive disk about said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The clutch according to claim 3, wherein said baffle comprises a pin of circular cross-section and held in a bore in said one clutch-driven plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The clutch according to claim 1, wherein said drive disk comprises a central portion in the form of a flat disk having an outer periphery, and an outer portion in the form of a cylinder extending axially outwardly from said outer periphery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The clutch according to claim 7, wherein said drive disk central portion has a thickness t, said drive disk outer portion has a dimension b in the axial direction, and dimension b is substantially larger than thickness t.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The clutch according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said drive disk has a circumferential edge, and said pumping means is located in said working space radially outboard of said circumferential edge.
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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) | 1984-07-13 | 1985-01-12 | 1985-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-13 | 1989-01-12 | 1989-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-13 | 1993-01-12 | 1993-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |