Loading patent…
AssigneeAutomotive Products plc
InventorsKeith V. Leigh-Monstevens, David L. Wrobleski, Richard A. Nix, Mark W. Rei
Estimating the term…
A bearing carrier for a pull-type clutch, and which forms part of the clutch mechanism assembly, has a crenellated rim provided with longitudinally projecting tooth-like portions, cut-out portions being provided between consecutive projecting portions. A separate tubular member, forming part of the clutch control mechanism, has a correspondingly crenellated rim provided with longitudinally projecting portions and cut-out portions between consecutive projecting portions. One of the crenellated rims has a peripheral groove in which is disposed an expandable resilient ring, and the other crenellated rim has a corresponding peripheral groove and is provided at the leading edge of its projecting portion with a ramp for expanding the ring when the one of the crenellated rims is pushed into the other crenellated rim for coupling the bearing carrier with the tubular member during assembly of the bearing carrier with the tubular member. The clutch control mechanism is preferably an annular hydraulic cylinder having an annular piston attached to the other end of the tubular member. The annular cylinder, installed within the bell housing of the clutch mechanism, is connected to the master cylinder via a connector or a connection block fastened through an opening in the bell housing. The annular cylinder is connected to the connector or the connection block through a conduit disposed within the bell housing. A second conduit provided at an end with a complementary leak-proof connector member connects the connector or the connection block to the master cylinder.
A clutch control apparatus for a clutch having release fingers, said apparatus comprising a release bearing sub-assembly forming part of the clutch and a separate hydraulic cylinder sub-assembly forming part of a clutch release mechanism, said release bearing sub-assembly comprising a bearing carrier having first and second axially spaced ends, a bearing having a first race fitted to said first end of said bearing carrier and a second race, an outwardly extending flange at said second end of said carrier, said flange having a surface in engagement with the end of said fingers for releasing said clutch, means for holding the ends of said fingers in engagement with said flange surface, a housing for said bearing comprising a radially extending flange portion engaged with the second race of said bearing and a peripheral crenellated rim having axially projecting portions and cut-out portions between consecutive projecting portions, said hydraulic cylinder sub-assembly comprising a fixed annular member and a movable annular member positioned coaxially with respect to said fixed annular member and having a first end thereof sealingly engaging said fixed annular member and having a crenellated rim at its other, free end provided with alternating projecting and cut-out portions, and means operative in response to relative axial movement between said free end of said movable annular member and said bearing housing to couple said crenellated rims with said projecting portions of one of said rims fully introduced into the cut-out portions of the other of said crenellated rims.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.