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US 9,145,053 B2Granted
Power take-off clutch assembly
AssigneeWaterous Company
InventorsThomas Joseph Mettler, Dale James Studenski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch assembly is provided for engaging a PTO assembly with a primary drive shaft of a vehicle engine. The clutch assembly includes a synchronizing clutch for rotating an output member and a primary clutch positionable to rotationally connect the output member to the primary drive shaft.
Claims24
A power take-off clutch assembly, comprising:
- a synchronizing clutch having a first hub and a second hub;
- an input member coupled to the first hub of the synchronizing clutch;
- an output member coupled to the second hub of the synchronizing clutch;
- and
- a primary clutch positionable between a first position and a second position with respect to the input member such that, in the first position, the output member rotates based on torque transmitted between the first hub and the second hub of the synchronizing clutch and, in the second position, the output member rotates based on torque transmitted from the input member through the primary clutch.
2 more elements
A method, comprising:
- rotating an input member through connection with a drive shaft spaced apart from the input member;
- engaging a synchronizing clutch coupled to the input member to rotate an output member;
- moving a primary clutch from a first position to a second position during rotation of the input member and while the synchronizing clutch is engaged, wherein the output member rotates based on torque generated through the synchronizing clutch while the primary clutch is in the first position and wherein the output member rotates based on torque generated through the primary clutch while the primary clutch is in the second position.
A vehicle, comprising:
- an engine;
- a primary drive shaft coupled to the engine and a transmission spaced apart from the engine;
- a power take-off assembly coupled to the primary drive shaft and positioned between the engine and the transmission, comprising:
- an input member, an output member, a synchronizing clutch and a primary clutch, the primary clutch operable in a first position, wherein rotation of the output member is based on engagement of the synchronizing clutch, and a second position, wherein torque is transmitted from the input member, through the primary clutch to the output member.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.