Hydraulic control and lubrication system with compressed air pre-heat circuit for rapid response at low ambient temperatures
US5667051A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a power transmission or generation apparatus having a source of heated pressurized air, the problem of achieving rapid controlled engagement of a hydraulically actuated clutch at low ambient temperatures is solved by utilizing a portion of that heated pressurized air for heating only that small control volume of hydraulic fluid within a clutch control circuit needed to achieve rapid actuation and stable control of the hydraulic clutch. Our invention is thus particularly applicable in a power transmission or generation apparatus having a gas turbine engine, or a turbocharged piston engine as the prime mover. With gas turbine engine powered units, our invention contemplates the use of compressor discharge air, rather than exhaust products for heating the hydraulic fluid. Similarly, for piston engines our invention contemplates the use of turbocharger discharge air rather than exhaust products. In one embodiment a clutch and a control circuit are provided in which the fluid volume of the control circuit is minimized, and fluid removal features are provided to effectively drain all residual fluid from a portion of the control circuit following disengagement of the clutch. On subsequ…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.