US 6,742,643 B2 · Elastomeric damper for hydraulic clutch actuator

Abstract

A hydraulic clutch actuator system having a vibration damper in the system including an elastomeric diaphragm and a steel diaphragm. One face of the elastomeric diaphragm is in communication with fluid in the system so that the diaphragm may deflect in response to low frequency system vibrations to effect damping of these vibrations. The steel diaphragm is positioned generally parallel to and proximate the other face of the elastomeric diaphragm so as to form a back-up for the elastomeric diaphragm so that the elastomeric diaphragm may deform against the steel diaphragm in response to high frequency system vibrations to cause deflection of the steel diaphragm to effect damping of the high frequency vibrations. An apertured stop structure above the elastomeric diaphragm functions to limit upward excursions of the elastomeric diaphragm and further functions to maintain communication between the chamber above the elastomeric diaphragm and the damper port to the system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A damper for provision in a hydraulic actuator system between a master cylinder and a slave cylinder of the system, the damper including a housing including a port for connection in the system and a diaphragm carried by the housing and coacting with the housing to define a chamber above the diaphragm and in communication with the port so that the diaphragm may deflect in response to vibrations transmitted through the hydraulic fluid in the system to effect damping of the vibrations, characterized in that:

the diaphragm is formed of an elastomeric material;
the damper further includes a stop structure fixed relative to the housing and positioned in the chamber in confronting relation to the diaphragm and operative to limit upward excursions of the diaphragm into the chamber to excursions within the elastic limit of the diaphragm, whereby to preclude permanent stretching of the diaphragm;
and
the stop structure includes aperture means providing communication between the port and the chamber irrespective of the position of the diaphragm relative to the stop structure, whereby to allow total evacuation of the chamber and subsequent total filling of the chamber.

1 more element

A clutch hydraulic actuator system having a vibration damper provided in the system between a master cylinder and a slave cylinder of the system, the damper including:

a housing including a port for connection in the system;
an elastomeric diaphragm carried by the housing and coacting with the housing to define a chamber above the elastomeric diaphragm in communication with the port so that the diaphragm may deflect in response to vibrations transmitted through the hydraulic fluid in the system to effect damping of the vibrations;
a stop structure positioned in the chamber in confronting relation to the diaphragm and operative to limit upward excursions of the diaphragm into the chamber to excursions within the elastic limit of the diaphragm, whereby to preclude permanent stretching of the diaphragm;
and
aperture means in the stop structure providing communication between the port means and the chamber irrespective of the position of the diaphragm relative to the stop structure, whereby to allow total evacuation of the chamber and subsequent total filling of the chamber.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Elastomeric damper for hydraulic clutch actuator

Life of this patent

Elastomeric damper for hydraulic clutch actuator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20