Fluid coupling with centrifugal and torque responsive lock up clutch
AssigneeBorg-Warner Corporation
InventorsJohn Saxon Ivey, Russell Earl Silberschlag
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A speed-responsive engaging mechanism, adapted for use in a hydrodynamic device to couple the turbine and impeller members, including a disc secured to the turbine member having a series of cam surfaces formed in apertures in the periphery thereof with a series of engaging devices or friction shoes in said pockets. The friction shoes engage with the impeller member at a predetermined speed of rotation of the turbine element. The cam means will induce a wedging engagement of the shoes upon further increase of speed. A spring is carried by each shoe urging them toward a disengaged position and retaining the shoes in the apertures.
Claims14
An engaging mechanism comprising a relatively thin disc member attached to a first rotating member, said first rotating member rotating within a second rotating member, said disc having a plurality of peripheral apertures each having a friction device mounted therein, said apertures being partly defined by a cam surface engaged by said friction devices during operation of said engaging mechanism, said apertures further including retaining means engageable by retaining means secured to said friction devices to retain said friction devices in said apertures, whereby centrifugal force will urge said friction devices into engagement with said second rotating member and said cam means will act after initial engagement to induce a wedging engagement of said friction devices between said rotating members.
A friction shoe assembly for use in a centrifugal clutch of the self-energizing type having a thin disc with apertures therein, said apertures including a cam surface engageable with the shoe, comprising an elongated arcuate shoe having a friction lining bonded thereto, said shoe further including a one-piece spring and retaining mechanism secured thereto said spring extending longitudinally from either end thereof, said spring being adaptable to engage with structure to retain said shoe in said aperture, and said shoe further including a cam follower insert secured in said shoe and adapted to engage said cam surface to provide the self-energizing feature.
A lock-up clutch mechanism for a hydraulic torque converter, said torque converter including an outer driving shell connected to drive a rotating impeller member and a driven rotating turbine member, said turbine member having a hub piloted in said driving shell, a relatively thin annular disc connected to said hub of said turbine, said disc having retained on the periphery thereof a plurality of friction shoes, said shoes being mounted in a series of apertures on the periphery of said disc, means on said friction devices engaging said disc to retain said shoes in said aperture, cam means in said aperture in engagement with said shoes acting after initial engagement of said shoes with said driving shell to wedge said shoes between said disc and said shell to lock said disc and shell together for rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.