Torque converter
US4361055A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1980 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/1221
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A torque converter is disclosed which comprises a gimbal assembly having a gyroscope mounted for rotation within one of the rings thereof. The spin axle of the gyroscope and the entire gimbal assembly are adapted to rotate about the precessional axis of the gyroscope. The gimbal ring is further adapted to oscillate about a torque axis that is perpendicular to the precessional axis to set up gyroscopic forces in the converter. The spin axis of the gyroscope is independently connected to the output gear of a differential drive unit and the input gear of the unit is connected to the drive shaft of the engine. A planetary gear section is interposed between the input and output gears of the drive unit that is adapted to turn the loaded output shaft of the converter. Oscillating means rock the gimbal ring about the torque axis at some fixed multiple of the engine speed while the entire gimbal assembly is turned about the precessional axis at some fixed multiple of the load speed. A precessional force is thus applied to the differential drive unit which controls the amount of energy delivered from the engine to the load. A timing mechanism automatically adjusts the relative position of th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.