Torque transmitting apparatus

Apparatus for transmitting torque comprising:

• a first flywheel connectable to a rotary output element;
• a second flywheel rotatable with as well as relative to said first flywheel about a common axis, connectable with a rotary input element and provided with a friction surface;
• means for opposing rotation of said flywheels relative to each other, including at least one damper having energy storing means disposed at least in part in an enclosure defining a chamber for said energy storing means;
• and means for limiting the magnitude of torque which is transmitted from said friction surface, said first flywheel including a portion which transmits torque from the output element to said energy storing means and said enclosure, including at least one wall receiving torque from said energy storing means, said limiting means comprising at least one friction generating member disposed between said enclosure and said second flywheel at least partly radially outwardly of said energy storing means and at least partly radially inwardly of said friction surface.

Apparatus for transmitting torque between a rotary output element and a rotary input element comprising:

• first and second flywheels rotatable with as well as relative to each other about a common axis;
• a bearing between said flywheels;
• means for fastening said first flywheel to the rotary output element;
• a friction clutch having an annular friction surface, said second flywheel being connectable to the rotary input element by said friction clutch, and the input element having a profile disposed at a first radial distance from said axis;
• means for opposing rotation of said flywheels relative to each other including at least one damper having energy storing means disposed radially inwardly of said friction surface as seen in the direction of said axis, an input member between said first flywheel and said energy storing means, and an output member between said energy storing means and said second flywheel;
• and an enclosure defining a chamber for a portion at least of said energy storing means, said bearing being disposed at a second radial distance from said axis, said fastening means being disposed between said energy storing means and said bearing at a third radial distance from said axis, said enclosure having a first portion disposed at a fourth radial distance from said axis, said energy storing means being disposed at a fifth radial distance from said axis, said enclosure further comprising a second portion at a sixth radial distance from said axis and said friction surface being disposed at a seventh radical distance from said axis, at least four of said first to seventh distances being different from each other.

Apparatus for transmitting torque comprising:

• an engageable and disengageable friction clutch including a pressure plate rotatable about and movable in the direction of a predetermined axis;
• a driven counterpressure plate coaxial with and arranged to rotate said pressure plate;
• means for biasing said pressure plate axially toward said counterpressure plate in the engaged condition of the clutch, said biasing means comprising a diaphragm spring having an annular energy storing main portion, prongs extending substantially radially inwardly from said main portion and opening provided between at least some of said prongs, projections of one piece with said pressure plate and received in said openings in at least one of the engaged and disengaged conditions of the clutch;
• and elastically deformable elements arranged to transmit torque between said projections of said pressure plate and a clutch housing.

Apparatus for transmitting torque comprising;

• a friction clutch including a rotary pressure plate;
• a rotary housing coaxial with said pressure plate and having a first side confronting said pressure plate and a second side facing away from said pressure plate;
• a diaphragm spring disposed between said housing and said pressure plate and including an annular energy storing main portion and tongues extending substantially radially inwardly from said main portion;
• and means for coupling said pressure plate to said housing with freedom of movement in the direction of the common axis of said housing and said pressure plate, said coupling means comprising leaf springs disposed at least substantially radially inwardly of said main portion and at least a portion of each of said leaf springs being disposed at the second side of said housing.

Apparatus for transmitting torque, comprising a first flywheel connectable with a rotary output element of a prime mover;

• a second flywheel rotatable with as well as relative to said first flywheel about a common axis and provided with at least one friction surface disposed at a first radial distance from said axis, said second flywheel being connectable with a rotary input element of a transmission by a friction clutch;
• a bearing interposed between said flywheels;
• and means for opposing rotation of said flywheels relative to each other including at least one damper having at least two energy storing elements disposed at least in part in an at least substantially sealed chamber and extending in a circumferential direction of said flywheels at a lesser second radial distance from said axis, said first flywheel including a portion which transmits torque from the prime mover to said energy storing elements and further comprising an enclosure defining said chamber and including at least one wall receiving torque from said energy storing elements, and means for limiting the magnitude of torque which is being transmitted from said second flywheel to said clutch, said limiting means comprising at least one friction generating member disposed between said enclosure and said second flywheel at least partially radially outwardly of said energy storing elements and at least partially radially inwardly of said at least one friction surface.