Integrated actuator assembly
AssigneeNorth American Clutch Corporation
InventorRobert W. Rush
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator assembly adapted to selectively cause an input disk of a clutch/brake assembly to engage an output disk of a clutch/brake assembly. The actuator assembly includes a movable piston integrated with the clutch/brake assembly. At least a portion of the clutch/brake assembly defines an expansible chamber in combination with the piston. The piston is movable in the clutch/brake assembly to selectively cause the input disk to engage the output disk. The actuator assembly also includes a housing positioned remotely from the clutch/brake assembly, and a fluid compressor located within the housing. The fluid compressor is operable to generate a fluid pressure and provide the fluid pressure to the expansible chamber to move the piston.
Claims18
An actuator assembly adapted to selectively cause an input disk of a clutch/brake assembly to engage an output disk of a clutch/brake assembly, the actuator assembly comprising:
- a movable piston integrated with the clutch/brake assembly, at least a portion of the clutch/brake assembly defining an expansible chamber in combination with the piston, the piston being movable in the clutch/brake assembly to selectively cause the input disk to engage the output disk;
- a housing positioned remotely from the clutch/brake assembly;
- a fluid compressor located within the housing, the fluid compressor being operable to generate a fluid pressure and provide the fluid pressure to the expansible chamber to move the piston;
- and
- a pressure switch fluidly connected with the expansible chamber to detect a level of the fluid pressure wherein the pressure switch is selectively triggered by the level of the fluid pressure, and wherein the pressure switch selectively electrically connects the fluid compressor and a power source to operate the compressor.
An actuator system comprising:
- a housing including a passageway therethrough, the passageway allowing movement of fluid between inside and outside of the housing;
- a fluid filter fluidly connected with the passageway such that fluid moving between inside and outside of the housing passes through the fluid filter;
- a clutch/brake assembly positioned remotely from the housing, the clutch/brake assembly including
- an input disk,
- an output disk, and
- a movable piston, at least a portion of the clutch/brake assembly defining an expansible chamber in combination with the piston, the piston being movable to selectively cause the input disk to engage the output disk;
- a fluid compressor located within the housing, the fluid compressor being fluidly connected to the expansible chamber via a conduit to generate a fluid pressure within the expansible chamber to move the piston;
- a valve selectively fluidly connectable with the expansible chamber and the housing to selectively vent fluid pressure from the expansible chamber to the housing, wherein when pressure is vented from the expansible chamber the piston is movable to disengage the input disk and the output disk;
- and
- a pressure switch fluidly connected with the expansible chamber to detect a level of the fluid pressure in the expansible chamber wherein the pressure switch is selectively triggered by the level of the fluid pressure, and wherein the pressure switch selectively electrically connects the fluid compressor and a power source to operate the fluid compressor.
An actuator system comprising:
- a housing;
- a clutch/brake assembly positioned remotely from the housing, the clutch/brake assembly including
- an input disk,
- an output disk, and
- a movable piston, at least a portion of the clutch/brake assembly defining an expansible chamber in combination with the piston, the piston being movable to selectively cause the input disk to engage the output disk;
- a fluid compressor located within the housing, the fluid compressor being fluidly connected to the expansible chamber to generate a fluid pressure within the expansible chamber to move the piston;
- and
- a pressure switch fluidly connected with the expansible chamber to detect a level of the fluid pressure in the expansible chamber wherein the pressure switch is selectively triggered by the level of the fluid pressure, and wherein the pressure switch selectively electrically connects the fluid compressor and a power source to operate the compressor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.