Back to results
US 10,767,708 B1Granted
Clutch assembly and system
AssigneeLogan Clutch Corporation
InventorsW. Andrew Logan, Scott W. Stevens, Robert P McClain, Stefan Vinca, Michael S. Vining
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Power transmission systems including clutch arrangement and control systems are adapted to be used in numerous different operational environments. Such power transmission systems may include clutch arrangements that provide more effective power transmission capabilities as well as greater durability and longer life. Control arrangements are provided to more effectively control and monitor clutch operation in ways that provide for greater system flexibility and drive options.
Claims29
Apparatus comprising:
- a clutch, wherein the clutch is operative to selectively engage a driver device and a driven device,
- wherein the clutch includes
- a disc housing, wherein the disc housing is in rotational connection with one of the driver device and the driven device,
- a hub, wherein the hub is in rotational connection with the other of the driver device and the driven device,
- wherein the hub extends in concentric relation and radially inward of the disc housing, wherein the hub and the disc housing are relatively rotationally movable,
- a disc pack, wherein the disc pack includes
- at least two axially spaced clutch discs, wherein each clutch disc is in operatively engaged rotational connection with one of the disc housing or the hub, and wherein each clutch disc is relatively axially movable with respect to each of the disc housing and the hub,
- at least one separator disc, wherein each separator disc is axially intermediate of an adjacent pair of clutch discs, wherein each separator disc is in operatively engaged rotational connection with the other of the disc housing or the hub, and wherein each separator disc is axially movable with respect to each of the disc housing and the hub,
- an annular piston, wherein the annular piston is axially movable in a piston cavity responsive to fluid pressure in the piston cavity, wherein the annular piston is in operative connection with the disc pack,
- a valve, wherein the valve is selectively operative
- to engage the clutch by application of fluid pressure to the piston cavity, wherein application of fluid pressure is operative to axially move the piston and engagingly compress the disc pack such that the clutch discs and the at least one separator disc rotate in engaged relation to rotationally connect the driving device and the driven device,
- to disengage the clutch by release of fluid pressure from the piston cavity such that the disc pack is no longer engagingly compressed and the clutch discs and the at least one separator disc are rotatable independently and the driving device and the driven device are not rotationally connected,
- a circuit,
- wherein the circuit includes a timer and a data store,
- wherein the data store includes data corresponding to a synchronization level value and an engagement time value,
- wherein the circuit is in operative connection with the valve, and is operative to receive
- an input speed signal indicative of rotational speed of the driver device,
- an output speed signal indicative of rotational speed of the driven device, and
- a clutch engage signal,
- wherein the circuit is operative to cause
- engagement of the clutch by delivery of fluid pressure to the piston cavity from the valve responsive at least in part to the clutch engage signal,
- a determination responsive at least in part to the input speed and the output speed signals, that the driving device and the driven device have not achieved coordinated rotational movement at the synchronization level value within a time period corresponding to the engagement time value after the delivery of fluid pressure,
- responsive at least in part to the determination, disengagement of the clutch by reducing fluid pressure delivered to the piston cavity from the valve.
20 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- a clutch, wherein the clutch is operative to selectively engage a driver device and a driven device,
- wherein the clutch includes
- a disc housing, wherein the disc housing is in fixed operative rotational connection with one of the driver device and the driven device,
- a hub, wherein the hub is in fixed operative rotational connection with the other of the driver device and the driven device,
- wherein the hub extends in concentric relation and radially inward of the disc housing, wherein the hub and the disc housing are relatively rotationally movable,
- a disc pack, wherein the disc pack includes
- at least two axially spaced clutch discs, wherein each clutch disc is in operatively engaged rotational connection with one of the disc housing or the hub, and wherein each clutch disc is relatively axially movable with respect to each of the disc housing and the hub,
- at least one separator disc, wherein each separator disc is axially intermediate of an immediately adjacent pair of clutch discs, wherein each separator disc is in operatively engaged rotational connection with the other of the disc housing or the hub, and wherein each separator disc is axially movable with respect to each of the disc housing and the hub,
- an annular piston, wherein the annular piston is axially movable in a piston cavity responsive to fluid pressure in the piston cavity, wherein the annular piston is in operative connection with the disc pack,
- a vibration damper coupling,
- wherein the coupling is positioned intermediate of the driver device and the clutch,
- wherein the coupling includes
- a first portion,
- a second portion, wherein the first and second portions are relatively rotationally movable,
- at least one resilient body, wherein the at least one resilient body operatively connects the first and second portions,
- a valve, wherein the valve is selectively operative
- to engage the clutch by application of fluid pressure to the piston cavity, wherein application of fluid pressure is operative to axially move the piston and engagingly compress the disc pack such that the clutch discs and the at least one separator disc rotate in engaged relation to rotationally connect the driving device and the driven device,
- to disengage the clutch by release of fluid pressure from the piston cavity such that the disc pack is no longer engagingly compressed and the clutch discs and the at least one separator disc are rotatable independently and the driving device and the driven device are not rotationally connected,
- at least one coupling status sensor, wherein the at least one coupling status sensor is operative to detect at least one condition corresponding to deformation of the at least one resilient body, wherein the at least one coupling status sensor is operative to output at least one coupling status signal,
- a circuit,
- wherein the circuit includes a data store,
- wherein the data store includes data corresponding to at least one coupling status value,
- wherein the circuit is in operative connection with the valve, and is operative to receive the at least one coupling status signal,
- wherein the circuit is operative to
- with the clutch engaged, make a coupling status determination based at least in part on the at least one coupling status signal and the at least one coupling status value having a predetermined relationship,
- cause the valve to disengage the clutch responsive at least in part to the coupling status determination.
23 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- a clutch, wherein the clutch is configured to selectively rotationally engage a driver device and a driven device,
- wherein the clutch includes
- a disc housing, wherein the disc housing is configured to be in operative rotational connection with one of the driver device and the driven device,
- a hub, wherein the hub is configured to be in operative rotational connection with the other of the driver device and the driven device,
- wherein the hub extends in concentric relation and radially inward of the disc housing, wherein the hub and the disc housing are relatively rotationally movable,
- a disc pack, wherein the disc pack includes
- at least two axially spaced clutch discs, wherein each clutch disc is in operatively engaged rotational connection with one of the disc housing or the hub, and wherein each clutch disc is relatively axially movable with respect to each of the disc housing and the hub,
- at least one separator disc, wherein each separator disc is axially intermediate of an adjacent pair of clutch discs, wherein each separator disc is in operatively engaged rotational connection with the other of the disc housing or the hub, and wherein each separator disc is axially movable with respect to each of the disc housing and the hub,
- an annular piston, wherein the annular piston is axially movable in a piston cavity responsive to fluid pressure in the piston cavity, wherein the annular piston is in operative connection with the disc pack,
- a valve, wherein the valve is selectively operative
- to engage the clutch by application of fluid pressure to the piston cavity, wherein application of fluid pressure is operative to axially move the piston and engagingly compress the disc pack such that the clutch discs and the at least one separator disc rotate together in engaged relation and rotationally engage the disc housing and the hub,
- to disengage the clutch by release of fluid pressure from the piston cavity such that the disc pack is no longer engagingly compressed and the clutch discs and the at least one separator disc are rotatable independently and the disc housing and the hub are rotationally disengaged,
- a circuit,
- wherein the circuit includes a timer and a data store,
- wherein the data store includes data corresponding to a synchronization level value and an engagement time value,
- wherein the circuit is in operative connection with the valve, and is operative to receive
- an input speed signal corresponding to rotational speed of the driver device,
- an output speed signal corresponding to rotational speed of the driven device, and
- a clutch engage signal,
- wherein the circuit is operative to cause
- engagement of the clutch by delivery of fluid pressure to the piston cavity from the valve responsive at least in part to the clutch engage signal,
- a determination responsive at least in part to the input speed and the output speed signals, that the driving device and the driven device have not achieved coordinated rotational movement at the synchronization level value within a time period corresponding to the engagement time value after the delivery of fluid pressure,
- responsive at least in part to the determination, disengagement of the clutch by reducing fluid pressure delivered to the piston cavity from the valve.
20 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.