US 4,307,629 AGranted

Torque converter

OwnerPaul S. Mollerinventor

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Abstract

A torque converter for inclusion between a driving shaft and a driven shaft. Preferably there is more than one torque generator and a gear train in parallel between the input and output shafts. The torque generators and any attached driving gears rotate about shafts whose axes are preferably symmetrically displaced about, and are stationary relative to, the axis of the input shaft. The above mentioned torque generators each preferably have a pair of radially opposed eccentrically mounted weights thereon. Preferably there are at least two pairs of weights on each torque generating train, together with means for varying the phasing between the pairs of weights. Means is also provided for accommodating slight misalignments between the shafts of the torque generating trains. Each of the torque generating trains has attached thereto at least one unidirectional clutch which allows the shafts to turn in only one direction. Means are also provided for delivering torque from the torque generating trains to the output shaft and for reversing the direction of the output shaft torque.

Claims10

Dependent claims

In combination:

a frame;
an input shaft having a first axis, and an output shaft having a second axis substantially coaxial to said first axis and both said shafts mounted for rotation relative to said frame;
a cage rigidly connected to said input shaft to rotate with said input shaft about said first axis;
a sun gear rigidly connected to said output shaft;
a third shaft having a third axis which is parallel to but offset from said first axis and connected to said cage for rotation therewith about said first axis;
a first weight having an eccentricity about said third axis and rigidly attached to rotate with said third shaft about said third axis relative to said cage;
a planetary gear rigidly connected to said third shaft to rotate with said first weight about said third axis;
an idler gear meshing with said sun gear and with said planetary gear and positioned therebetween, mounted for rotation relative to said cage about a fourth shaft having a fourth axis substantially parallel to said first, second and third axes;
said planetary and sun gears having the same number of teeth;
and a uni-directional clutch on said frame, connected to be driven by said output shaft to allow said output shaft to be driven in only a first predetermined direction relative to said frame.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.