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US5161658A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Viscous coupling

Assignee: Viscodrive Japan Ltd
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Filing: 1991-03-14
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Granted: 1992-11-10
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Expires: 2011-03-14
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Abstract

Abstract A novel viscous coupling for transmitting rotary torque via a viscous fluid has first and second torque transmission members, a working chamber hermetically packed with a viscous fluid, and first and second plates alternately disposed in the working chamber. The transmission of rotary torque between the first and second transmission members is carried out via viscous resistance of the viscous fluid between the first and second plates. The aforesaid viscous coupling is characterized by providing with a multi-plate clutch to adjust transmission power of the rotary torque between at least one of the plates and the torque transmission members. The coupling includes an externally operable engaging means for fastening the multi-plate clutch by pressing clutch plates of the multi-plate clutch. Also, the coupling has passages for leading the viscous fluid to contact portions between the clutch plates and the plates.

Inventors

  • 👤 Makoto Hagiwara

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 02:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/34; B60K17/348; B60K17/35; B60K17/3505; B60K17/351; F; F16; F16D; F16D35/00; F16D35/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
A viscous coupling for transmitting rotary torque comprising: a first and second torque transmitting member rotatable with respect to one another; a working chamber filled with viscous fluid, said working chamber associated with said first and second torque transmitting members; a plurality of first and second plates alternatively disposed in said working chamber, said plurality of first and second plates respectively coupled with said first and second torque transmitting members wherein viscous resistance of said viscous fluid between said plurality of first and second plates transmits rotary torque between said first and second members; and clutch means for adjusting transmission power of the rotary torque between at least one of said first or second plurality of plates and said first and second member, said clutch means interleaved with said first or second plurality of plates in said working chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
A viscous coupling for transmitting rotary torque comprising: a first and second torque transmitting member rotatable with respect to one another; a working chamber filled with viscous fluid, said working chamber associated with said first and second torque transmitting members; a plurality of first and second plates alternatively disposed in said working chamber, said plurality of first and second plates respectively coupled with said first and second torque transmitting members wherein viscous resistance of said viscous fluid between said plurality of first and second plates transmits rotary torque between said first and second members; and clutch means for adjusting transmission power of the rotary torque between at least one of said first or second plurality of plates and said first and second member, said clutch means interleaved with said first or second plurality of plates in said working chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The viscous coupling according to claim 1 further comprising an external control means for engaging and disengaging said clutch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
The viscous coupling according to claim 1 wherein said clutch means further comprises a plurality of clutch plates interleaved with said plurality of first or second plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 46 words
The viscous coupling according to claim 3 wherein said first or second plates of the viscous coupling which are in contact with said clutch plates are provided with grooves or slits which, radially, extend at least over the radial region of contact with said clutch plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 46 words
The viscous coupling according to claim 3 wherein said clutch plates are provided with radially opening grooves or alits which face adjoining plates of the viscous coupling and which extend at least over the radial region of contact with said first or second plurality of plates.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4726455A Cited
JPS6298033A Cited
US4899859A Cited
US4885957A Cited
US5080210A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-11-10 1996-05-11 1996-11-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-11-10 2000-05-11 2000-11-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-11-10 2004-05-11 2004-11-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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