Continuous slip hydrokinetic torque converter clutch interface with curcuitous groove for cooling and wetting clutch interface zone
US5566802A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2045/0289
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A continuous slip bypass friction clutch for a hydrokinetic torque converter has annular interfaces that are adapted to engage and transmit torque while rotating in one direction and continuously slipping. One of the interfaces is provided with circuitous grooves that traverse back and forth across essentially the entire width of this interface to channel hydraulic fluid in the torque converter from a high pressure cavity at an outer diameter of the interfaces past the engaged clutch interfaces through flow paths defined thereby to a low pressure cavity at an inner diameter of the interfaces to thereby wet essentially the entire interface area of the clutch and to cool the clutch with a viscous pumping action that augments cooling differential pressure hydraulic fluid flow induced through the flow paths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.