Back to results
US 11,168,772 B2Granted
Hydrostatic torque converter and torque amplifier
AssigneeMathers Hydraulics Technologies Pty Ltd
InventorNorman Ian Mathers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example includes a hydraulically controllable coupling to couple a rotating input and to an output to rotate, or to decouple the input and the output, with coupling and decoupling modes selected by switching a hydraulic device such as a vane pump between a pumping mode and a mode in which it does not pump. In an example, the system cooperates with a transmission to increase the number of possible gear ratios in some examples.
Claims20
A system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a hydraulic coupling comprising:
- a rotor disposed for rotation about an axis;
- a plurality of vanes each moveable relative to the rotor between a retracted position and an extended position where the plurality of vanes work a hydraulic fluid introduced adjacent the rotor, wherein each of the plurality of vanes has an outer tip with a recess therein;
- a roller mounted at the outer tip of each of the plurality of vanes at least partially positioned within the recess;
- and
- a ring disposed at least partially around the rotor;
- an input shaft and an output shaft coupled to rotate together by the hydraulic coupling in a vane extended mode of operation, and the input shaft and output shaft are free to rotate with respect to one another in a vane retracted mode of operation;
- and
- an accumulator configured to store pressurized fluid.
6 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a hydraulic device configured as both a coupling and a vane pump, wherein the hydraulic device has a plurality of vanes that are extendable from and retractable in a rotor, and wherein a tip of each of the plurality of vanes includes a roller bearing;
- and
- flowing a pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic device to an accumulator.
A vehicle system comprising:
- a hydraulic coupling having a body and at least a first vane configured for movement relative to the body, the hydraulic coupling adapted to retain the first vane in a retracted vane mode of operation and to release the first vane in a vane extended mode of operation in which the first vane extends to meet the body to hydraulically work fluid when the first vane is moved with respect to the body;
- an input shaft and an output shaft coupled to rotate together by the hydraulic coupling in the vane extended mode of operation, and the input shall and output shaft are free to rotate with respect to one another in the vane retracted mode of operation;
- an accessory configured to operate as a pump in one operation mode to pump a pressurized fluid;
- a torque producer coupled to the input shaft;
- and
- an accumulator configured to store pressurized fluid.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.