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US 7,059,462 B2Granted
Hydraulic clutch actuation system
AssigneeMAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
InventorsJames S. Brissenden, Timothy M. Burns, Sankar K. Mohan, Eric A. Bansbach, Steven W. O'Hara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.
Claims19
A power transmission device comprising:
- a first rotary member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque;
- a second rotary member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device;
- a torque transfer mechanism operable for transferring drive torque from said first rotary member to said second rotary member, said torque transfer mechanism including a clutch assembly operably disposed between said first rotary member and said second rotary member and a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable for applying a clutch engagement force to said clutch assembly, said hydraulic clutch actuation system including a primary fluid circuit supplying a first fluid to an inlet of a pressure intensifier and a secondary fluid circuit supplying a second fluid from an outlet of said pressure intensifier to a pressure chamber for causing a clutch operator to apply said clutch engagement force to said clutch assembly;
- and
- a control unit for controlling actuation of a control valve in said secondary fluid circuit for regulating the fluid pressure supplied to said pressure chamber.
2 more elements
A transfer case for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second drivelines, comprising:
- a first shaft driven by the powertrain and adapted for connection to the first driveline;
- a second shaft adapted for connection to the second driveline;
- a torque transfer mechanism operable for transferring drive torque from said first shaft to said second shaft, said torque transfer mechanism including a friction clutch operably disposed between said first and second shafts and a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable for applying a clutch engagement force to said friction clutch, said hydraulic clutch actuation system including a fluid pressure source for supplying a first fluid to an inlet of a pressure intensifier, said pressure intensifier operable for supplying a second fluid at a greater fluid pressure to a pressure chamber for causing a clutch operator to apply said clutch engagement force to said friction clutch.
A power transmission device comprising:
- a rotary input member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque;
- a rotary output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device;
- a friction clutch operable for transferring drive torque from said input member to said output member;
- and
- a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable for applying a clutch engagement force to said friction clutch, said hydraulic clutch actuation system including a primary fluid circuit and a secondary fluid circuit interconnected by a pressure intensifier, said secondary fluid circuit operable in a first mode to apply said clutch engagement force to said friction clutch and a second mode to provide lubrication to said friction clutch assembly.
2 more elements
A transfer case comprising:
- an input shaft driven by a source of drive torque;
- a gearset having a first component driven by said input shaft and a second component driven at a reduced speed relative to said input shaft;
- a first output shaft adapted to provide drive torque to a first driveline;
- a second output shaft adapted to provide drive torque to a second driveline;
- a first clutch having a first operator moveable between a first position and a second position for coupling said first output shaft for rotation with one of said input shaft and said second component of said gearset;
- a second clutch having a second operator moveable between first and second positions for varying the drive torque transferred from said first output shaft to said second output shaft;
- and
- a hydraulic clutch actuation system for controlling independent actuation of said first and second clutches, said hydraulic clutch actuation system including a primary fluid circuit providing low pressure fluid to an inlet of a pressure intensifier, a secondary fluid circuit providing high pressure fluid from an outlet of said pressure intensifier to each of said first and second clutch operators and valve means for controlling the supply of said high pressure fluid to each of said first and second clutch operators.
5 more elements
A power transmission device for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
- a first clutch having a first clutch operator moveable between first and second positions in response to the fluid pressure in a first pressure chamber;
- a second clutch having a second clutch operator moveable between first and second positions in response to the fluid pressure in a second pressure chamber;
- and
- a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable to control the fluid pressure supplied to said first and second pressure chambers, said hydraulic clutch actuation system including a primary fluid circuit supplying a first fluid to an inlet of a pressure intensifier and a secondary fluid circuit supplying a second fluid from an outlet of said pressure intensifier to each of said first and second pressure chambers, said secondary fluid circuit including a first control valve between said outlet of said pressure intensifier and said first pressure chamber and a second control valve between said outlet of said pressure intensifier and said second pressure chamber.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.