Patent · US Expired

CVT hydraulic start clutch

US4997074A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
10References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 11, 1989
Grant dateMar 5, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 11, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H2061/6618
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydraulically-actuated starting clutch for a continuously variable transsion which is designed to reduce the centrifugal torque of the clutch with respect to the chain belt/sheave torque. This is accomplished by adjusting the diameters of the clutch piston to reduce the resultant clutch torque to a value lower than the chain belt/sheave torque. A pair of oil feed passages are positioned in the clutch assembly to feed oil through openings in the friction plate at all times during operation, even when rotation of the friction plate ceases. Further, an improved retractor spring is utilized in the clutch assembly with circumferentially extending tabs on its inner periphery which extend over the snap ring holding the spring onto the actuating piston to prevent release of the snap ring due to centrifugal force during operation of the clutch.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.