Torsional damper having variable bypass clutch with centrifugal release mechanism
US6854580B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H45/02
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A torsional damper (10) rotatably supported for translating torque between a prime mover and the input of a transmission including a torque input member (12) that is operatively connected for rotation with the power take-off of a prime mover, an output member (14) operatively connected for rotation with the input to a transmission and a plurality of damping elements (16) interposed between the input member and the output member. The damping members (16) act to translate torque between the input and output members and to dampen torsional forces generated between the prime mover and the transmission. A bypass clutch (40) acts to translate torque directly between the input and output members thereby providing a path for partial torque translation that bypasses the damping elements at low rotational speeds of the input and output members. In addition, the torsional damper (10) includes a clutch release mechanism (42) that is responsive to centrifugal forces acting on the torsional damper to disengage the bypass clutch (40) to reduce the torque translated directly between the input and output members at high rotational speeds.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.