US 9,784,356 B2Granted

Limited-slip driveline apparatus

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorAndrew N. Edler

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a limited-slip clutch system and method. In one aspect, the limited-slip clutch actuation system can include a hydraulic pump operated by a variable speed drive wherein the pump can be configured to generate hydraulic flow in a hydraulic circuit including an actuation branch line that actuates a clutch. The circuit may also include a flow regulating valve for regulating a hydraulic fluid flow rate through the hydraulic circuit wherein the flow regulating valve can be configured to prevent the hydraulic fluid flow rate from exceeding a set maximum flow rate regardless of a magnitude of the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit. In operation, the pump speed can be controlled based on a command pressure set point and the measured pressure in the actuation branch line and to minimize operational costs by operating the pump at a transition region of the system pressure-pump speed curve.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method for controlling the actuation of a clutch in a limited-slip driveline apparatus, the method including the steps of:

a. providing a hydraulic pump operated by a variable speed drive, the pump being configured to generate hydraulic flow in a hydraulic circuit including an actuation branch line that actuates the clutch;
and
b. providing a flow regulating valve for regulating a hydraulic fluid flow rate through the hydraulic circuit, the flow regulating valve including a variable-size outlet orifice being configured to prevent the hydraulic fluid flow rate from exceeding a predetermined maximum flow rate regardless of a magnitude of the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit upstream of the flow regulating valve;
c. providing an electronic control system including a controller configured to receive an input signal from a pressure sensor located in the actuation branch line and configured to send an output pump speed signal to the pump variable speed drive;
d. the hydraulic circuit having:
i. a first operating region;
ii. a second operating region within which, in comparison to the first operating region, the pump speed is higher and the pressure in the actuation branch line is both greater and less linear with the speed of the pump;
and
iii. a transition region between the first and second operating regions;
e. receiving a commanded pressure value and the pressure sensor input signal at the controller;
f. calculating the output pump speed signal based on the commanded pressure value and the input signal from the pressure sensor, wherein the output pump speed signal is set to a speed that will place the hydraulic circuit within the transition region when the commanded pressure value would place the hydraulic circuit in the second operating region;
and
g. sending the output pump speed signal to the variable speed drive.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/050,712Filed 23 Feb 2016 · continuation
Priority: 23 Aug 2013
Published: US 2016/0169359 A116 Jun 2016
Granted: 10 Oct 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

F16H 48/32
Using externally-actuatable means: using fluid pressure actuators
F16H 48/26
Arrangements for suppressing or influencing the differential action, e.g. locking devices: using fluid action, e.g. viscous clutches
F16H 61/029
Elements specially adapted for hydraulic control units, e.g. valves: throttle valves
F16H 61/068
Using fluid control means: using an orifice control valve