Flow control capsule for clutch lubrication and cooling
AssigneeBorgWarner Inc.
InventorKarl F. Schneider
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston carries a control module responsive to pressure in the expandable chamber for controlling coolant flow through a dedicated coolant flow passage through the actuator piston that includes mist-forming outlets on the face of the actuator piston.
Claims10
A friction device having a drive member and a driven member which are rotatable about a common axis and which define a clutch housing therebetween;
- a clutch pack interposed between said drive and driven members and operable to connect and disconnect said drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque there between;
- a piston assembly supported in said clutch housing and defining a first expandable chamber between said piston assembly and said clutch housing;
- a first source of pressurized fluid in communication with said first expandable chamber, said piston assembly being responsive to the pressure of fluid in said expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating said clutch pack to connect and disconnect said drive and driven members;
- characterized by:
- control module supported in said piston;
- a second source of pressurized lubricant;
- said control module including a control element having a surface thereon directly exposed to pressure in said expandable chamber and responsive to the pressure in said expandable chamber for controlling flow from said second source of pressurized fluid into said module;
- and outlets in said control module for directing the second source of pressurized fluid to said clutch pack when actuated by said piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.