Magnetically responsive limited slip differential
US6991576B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2048/346
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A differential assembly includes a case, a gearset having a pair of pinion gears and a pair of side gears, and an electrically operable coupling including a magnetically responsive fluid. The coupling is operable to selectively interconnect one of the side gears to the case. In one instance, the present invention includes a rotor having a plurality of outwardly extending blades positioned in communication with a magneto-rheological fluid. An electromagnet is selectively actuated to change the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. In this manner, the differential may function as an “open” differential, a “locked” differential or a differential accommodating a limited-slip condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.