Abstract:
A flywheel (FW) includes a front cover as a first mass member (102), an inner plate as a second mass member (104), and a coiled spring as a damper member (106) which is interposed between the first and second mass members. A clutch or a clutch body (108) is disposed so as to be connectible with and disconnectible from the inner plate (104) by hydraulic pressures (P0, P1). The front cover (102) and the inner plate (104) are united through a friction plate as coupling means (110) by the hydraulic pressures (P0, P1) for connecting and disconnecting the clutch (108). Thus, the first and second mass members (102, 104) can be united by the simple construction of low cost. Furthermore the uniting operation, inclusive of its synchronization with the control of the clutch body (108), can be precisely controlled.
Abstract:
A motor-driven miniature vehicle having a wheel base less than or equal to its track, a pair of steerable front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, at least one of which is driven. The vehicle has positive camber and sufficient torsional stiffness and wheel radial spring rate so that the inside rear wheel is lifted completely off the ground in a turning maneuver. The vehicle being further provided with an engine drive train and mounting system which employs two centrifugal clutches, one having a low abrupt engagement and disengagement and the other having a gradual higher speed engagement and disengagement.
Abstract:
Device for selectively separating and connecting a rotatable shaft, such as the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, to a flywheel assembly of a friction clutch has a bearing in which the flywheel assembly is rotatable relative to the shaft, a friction plate non-rotatably connected to the shaft and having friction surfaces disposed at the opposite sides thereof, two pressure plates forming part of the flywheel assembly and each having a friction surface cooperating with one of the friction surfaces of the friction plates, the pressure plate being axially movably but non-rotatably connected to each other and, one of the pressure plates being held against axial movement relative to the bearing, operating means for moving the other of the pressure plates axially, spring means disposed on the friction plate between the connection to the shaft and the friction surfaces disposed thereon for biasing the friction plate in direction away from the axially-fixed pressure plate, and stop means for limiting the extent of axial movement of the friction surfaces of the friction plate.
Abstract:
An assembly for engaging and disengaging the crankshaft of an engine has a flywheel which is rotatably supported by a bearing system and is part of a first clutch. The flywheel has a second clutch for engaging and disengaging the crankshaft from the transmission shaft of a vehicle. A friction disc of the first clutch is non-rotatably connected to the crankshaft and friction linings are disposed at its opposite sides adjacent two pressure plates forming part of the flywheel and having linings cooperating with those of the friction disc. The pressure plates are axially movably but non-rotatably connected to each other and one thereof is secured to the bearing system. An operating means moves the other pressure plate axially, and a hub of the bearing system is rotatable relative to the crankshaft. A first housing part has a radially extending portion fastened to the hub, and a first diaphragm spring bears upon at least one of the pressure plates to disengage the flywheel from the crankshaft. An axially fixed pressure plate of the second clutch has axially extending arms connected to the housing part, and a friction disc of the second clutch has two linings and is fastened to the shaft. The second clutch has an axially movable pressure plate and a second housing part fastened to the axially fixed pressure plate of the second clutch. A second diaphragm spring is pivotable relative to the second housing part.
Abstract:
A novel torque exchange coupling for transmitting rotational mechanical power is described. The coupling includes a torque receiving member, a torque transmitting member and means for conveying rotational mechanical power between the torque transmitting and receiving members. Typically, the torque receiving member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure which has a surface comprising a circuitous track. The linear circumference of the track is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque transmitting member is any suitable rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque receiving member. Alternatively, the function of the torque receiving and torque transmitting members can be reversed. In this regard, the torque transmitting member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure having a surface comprising a circuitous track, the linear circumference of which is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque receiving member is any rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque transmitting member. Where a rotor is employed as the rotatable mounting means, a preferred means for conveying power between the rotor and the undulant track is a variably extendible member attached to the rotor and typically comprises an arm which is pivotally attached to the rotor in a manner such that it is capable of making contact with the undulant track at any point in its linear course. This member is made variably extendible either by centrifugal force, centripetal force, or mechanical, electrical or hydraulic means. The novel coupling of this invention is highly efficient, is easily maintained, is not significantly affected in operation by the presence of heat, and is capable of operation without its components being in close alignment. It contains few moving parts and is strong, durable, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. It can be utilized as a clutch, as a transmission, in a braking application, or in practically any other application where a rotational coupling is indicated.
Abstract:
A clutch arrangement for a motor driven chain saw having a first clutch element driven by the motor shaft and a second clutch element normally engaged with the first clutch element but disengageable therefrom and a centrifugal clutch between the second clutch element and the drive sprocket for the saw chain. The second clutch element includes a spring disc and is axially yieldable between clutch engaged and clutch disengaged positions. A lever is provided moveable for disengaging the clutch elements and a brake member connected to the lever is operable for braking the drive sprocket when the clutch elements are disengaged.
Abstract:
A coil spring clutch connects a driving hub to a driven sleeve rotatable on the hub and the sleeve drives an output or second driven member through a torque limiting clutch. The spring is readily declutched by arresting rotation of its leading end, as by interposing a stop in the path of an out-turned tang on that end, and is re-engaged by releasing the leading end. Re-engagement is characteristically abrupt and harsh, and the torque-limiting clutch in series with the spring clutch limits torque stress on the spring so that the series assembly is usable in applications which would destroy the spring clutch alone. The torque-limiting clutch may be a fully-releasable centrifugal clutch, in which case, the spring declutching mechanism may be actuated in common with or in response to application of a brake to stop the second driven member, or may be a frictionally-engaged centrifugal clutch or a spring-biased friction clutch. The driven members are desirably mounted on the driving hub in a compact unitary assembly.
Abstract:
A power transmission is provided including a pair of input shafts with a first gear train drivingly connecting the input shafts for equal inverse rotation. An output shaft is also provided and second gear train structure drivingly connects each of the input shafts to the output shaft for rotation of the latter in response to inverse rotation in the input shafts. Also, a powered shaft is provided and torque transmitting structure drivingly connects the powered shaft to a selected input shaft for rotation of either input shaft in the same direction in response to a given directional rotation of the powered shaft. The power transmission is duplicated in a second transmission with the output shafts of the power transmissions drivingly connected to opposite side drive wheels of a vehicle, whereby the power transmissions may be equally actuated for forward and reverse movement of the associated vehicle as well as inversely operated for steering the associated vehicle.
Abstract:
The drive train of a sixteen-speed transmission commences at the end of an engine crankshaft with a traction input drive shaft, which is coaxially received in a hollow PTO input drive shaft, and a dual clutch assembly operable for selectively connecting one or the other or both of the drive shafts for rotation with the crank-shaft. The PTO input drive shaft terminates ahead of a two-speed planetary transmission section which has input gearing connected to an end of the traction input drive shaft and output gearing connected to a planetary output shaft. The PTO input drive shaft is connected for driving a PTO shaft which extends parallel thereto. An eight-speed transmission section includes parallel input, output and countershafts, the input shaft being axially aligned with and connected to the planetary output shaft. The transmission drive train is encased in an elongated housing having three spaced support walls which support the transmission shafts and planetary transmission section and which support and form a portion of control means for certain elements of the transmission.