Clutch coolant flow control device
US5613588A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D25/123
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is an improved apparatus for cooling a clutch assembly in a power transmission device with a fluid. The power transmission device includes a shaft, a drive member fixed to the shaft and a driven member supported for rotation by the shaft. The clutch assembly includes at least one clutch plate and at least one friction disk which cooperate to couple the drive member and driven member when engaged and uncouple the drive member and driven member when disengaged. A fluid operated actuator selectively moves the clutch plate and friction disk between engaged and disengaged positions. The improvement comprises a passage in the shaft which conducts a cooling fluid to a location for bathing the clutch assembly and removing heat from the clutch assembly. A bore in the shaft is in communication with the passage at a location between a source of the cooling fluid and the clutch assembly. A valve member is located in the bore and is movable from a first position allowing a first restricted flow of the cooling fluid through the passage and a second position allowing a second relatively greater flow of the cooling fluid though the passage to the clutch assembly. The valve me…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.