Pendulum-absorber brake
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Eliot Chottiner, John Edward Brevick, Matthew David Hammond, Rick L. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A crankshaft comprising a cheek, a torsion-absorbing pendulum pivotally coupled to the cheek, and a rotational speed actuated brake to oppose motion of the pendulum relative to the cheek. The brake is configured to provide greater opposition to the motion at lower rotational speeds than at higher rotational speeds.
Claims11
A crankshaft comprising:
- a cheek;
- a torsion-absorbing pendulum pivotally coupled to the cheek with a fulcrum pin;
- and
- a rotational speed actuated brake including a valve configured to release, when open, a lubricant jet to oppose motion of the pendulum relative to the cheek and further configured to cut off the lubricant jet when closed, the brake configured to provide greater opposition to the motion at lower rotational speeds than at higher rotational speeds via the valve.
An engine comprising:
- a crankshaft having a cheek, a torsion-absorbing pendulum pivotally coupled to the cheek, and a rotational speed actuated brake coupled between the cheek and the pendulum to oppose motion of the pendulum relative to the cheek;
- a rotational speed sensing element;
- and
- a controller operatively coupled to the brake and to the rotational speed sensing element and configured to cause the brake to increase opposition to the motion as rotational speed decreases and to decrease the opposition to the motion as the rotational speed increases.
A method to reduce noise and wear of a crankshaft of an engine system, the crankshaft including a cheek and a torsion-absorbing pendulum pivotally coupled to the cheek, the method comprising:
- at lower rotational speeds, opposing to a greater degree motion of the pendulum relative to the cheek by bridging a clearance between the cheek and the pendulum with a rotational speed actuated brake coupled between the cheek and the pendulum;
- and
- at higher rotational speeds, opposing to a lesser degree the motion of the pendulum relative to the cheek with the rotational speed actuated brake.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.