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US 2008/0287250 A1Published application
Electronically-controlled hydraulically-actuated coupling
OwnerRussell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart +1inventors
InventorsRussell T. Capito, Charles G. Stuart, Paul J. Valente
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power transmission device includes a friction clutch operable to selectively transfer torque between an input member and an output member. An actuator is operable to provide an actuating force to the friction clutch. The actuator includes an electric motor having an output shaft drivingly coupled to a pump. The pump is operable to provide pressurized fluid to a piston acting on the friction clutch.
Claims19
A power transmission device comprising:
- a housing having a wall member and an end wall that cooperate to define an interior cavity, a piston bore being formed in the end wall and intersecting the interior cavity;
- an first shaft received through the end wall and rotatably disposed in the housing along a first rotational axis;
- a hub coupled for rotation with the first shaft;
- a plurality of first friction plates coupled for rotation with the hub;
- an second shaft rotatably mounted in the housing;
- a plurality of second friction plates coupled for rotation with the second shaft and interleaved with the first friction plates;
- an annular piston received in the piston bore and configured to translate axially along the first rotational axis, the first shaft being received through the annular piston;
- an actuator mounted to the end wall, the actuator including a pump and an electric motor for driving the pump, the pump including an outlet, the electric motor having an output shaft that is rotatable about a second rotational axis that is oriented generally perpendicular to the first rotational axis;
- a first incompressible fluid being disposed in the interior cavity;
- and
- a second incompressible fluid disposed in a conduit connecting the outlet of the pump and piston bore, wherein the first and second incompressible fluids are different.
8 more elements
A power transmission device comprising:
- a housing having a wall member and an end wall that cooperate to define an interior cavity, a piston bore being formed in the end wall and intersecting the interior cavity;
- an first shaft received through the end wall and rotatably disposed in the housing along a first rotational axis;
- a hub coupled for rotation with the first shaft;
- a plurality of first friction plates coupled for rotation with the hub;
- an second shaft rotatably mounted in the housing;
- a plurality of second friction plates coupled for rotation with the second shaft and interleaved with the first friction plates;
- an annular piston received in the piston bore and configured to translate axially along the first rotational axis, the first shaft being received through the annular piston;
- an actuator mounted to the end wall, the actuator including a pump and an electric motor for driving the pump, the pump including an outlet, the electric motor having an output shaft that is rotatable about a second rotational axis that is oriented generally perpendicular to the first rotational axis;
- a first incompressible fluid being disposed in the interior cavity;
- and
- a second incompressible fluid disposed in a conduit connecting the outlet of the pump and piston bore, wherein the first and second incompressible fluids are different;
- wherein an annular hub is formed is formed in the end wall and wherein the annular piston sealingly engages the annular hub;
- wherein a bearing set is received in the annular hub, the bearing set supporting an end of the first shaft;
- wherein one of the first and second shafts includes an aperture into which a portion of the other one of the first and second shafts is received;
- wherein a bearing is received in the aperture, the bearing being disposed between the first and second shafts;
- wherein an endcap is removably coupled to the housing to close an end of the interior cavity opposite the end wall;
- wherein the pump includes a gerotor;
- and
- wherein the actuator includes a means for limiting a pressure of the second incompressible fluid.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.