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US 2003/0125151 A1Published application
Eddy current activation of a limited slip differential system
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorStan L. Seeley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A limited slip differential system is disclosed where one or more eddy currents activate a ball-ramp actuator for engaging a clutch assembly to a differential case. The eddy currents create a braking torque in the ball-ramp actuator.
Claims18
A limited slip differential system comprising:
- a clutch assembly;
- a ball-ramp actuator connected to the clutch assembly;
- a rotor connected to the ball-rap actuator;
- and
- a coil assembly disposed adjacent to the rotor, the coil assembly and the rotor forming a gap therebetween, the coil assembly operable to generate at least one eddy current in the rotor, where the at least one eddy current is operable to create a braking torque in the ball ramp actuator.
2 more elements
A limited slip differential system comprising:
- a clutch assembly;
- a ball-ramp actuator connected to the clutch assembly;
- a rotor connected to the ball-rap actuator;
- a coil assembly disposed adjacent to the rotor, the coil assembly and the rotor forming a gap therebetween;
- and
- an electric control unit connected to the coil assembly,
- where the coil assembly is operable to generate at least one eddy current in response to an electric power signal from the electric control unit,
- where the at least one eddy current is operable to create a braking torque in the ball ramp actuator, and
- where the electric control unit is operable to actively monitor an electromotive force from the coil assembly.
6 more elements
A method for activating a limited slip differential having a ball-ramp actuator and a clutch assembly in a differential case, comprising:
- inducing at least one eddy current in the ball-ramp actuator;
- generating a braking torque in the ball-ramp actuator in response to the at least one eddy current;
- and
- engaging the clutch to the differential case in response to the braking torque.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.