192 clutches and power-stop control – Vortex-flow drive and clutch – Including drive-lockup clutch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-11
2001-10-09
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Vortex-flow drive and clutch
Including drive-lockup clutch
C192S070190, C192S212000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298965
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements in force transmitting apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in force transmitting apparatus which employ torque converters. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in force transmitting apparatus wherein the transmission of forces between the rotary output element of a prime mover and the rotary output assembly of the torque converter takes place by way of at least one damper which serves to absorb at least a certain percentage of torsional vibrations, i.e., which opposes the transmission of such torsional vibrations from the prime mover to the system which normally receives torque from the torque converter and/or in the opposite direction. Apparatus of the type to which the present invention pertains can be utilized in the power trains of motor vehicles to transmit torque between the output element (such as a crankshaft or a camshaft) of the internal combustion engine or another prime mover and the input shaft of a change speed transmission.
Force transmitting apparatus of the above outlined character are disclosed, for example, in published German patent application Ser. No. 42 13 341.
A drawback of presently known force transmitting apparatus of the above outlined character is that their torsional vibration damping action does not always and/or sufficiently conform to the requirements under certain specific circumstances in actual use. More specifically, the ability of conventional force transmitting apparatus to absorb torsional vibrations does not invariably and/or adequately reflect the characteristics of the prime mover (such as an internal combustion engine) and/or the characteristics of the aggregate or aggregates which normally receives or receive torque from the torque converter.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a force transmitting apparatus wherein the torsional vibrations damping unit or units is or are designed in such a way that its or their torsional vibrations damping action more accurately and more satisfactorily reflects the characteristics of the torque transmitting and torque receiving units.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can reliably and predictably transmit pronounced torques.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can be readily combined with existing torque converters in a space-saving manner.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a wear-resistant and relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus which can stand long periods of extensive use, e.g., in the power trains or motor vehicles.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of one or more torsional vibration dampers and a hydrokinetic torque converter or a Föttinger transmission or coupling for use in the above outlined apparatus.
An additional object of the invention is to provide the above outlined apparatus with novel and improved torsional vibration dampers which are readily accessible for the purposes of inspection, repair, adjustment or replacement.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved torque converter for use in the above outlined apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved turbine damper for use in the above outlined force transmitting apparatus.
An additional object of the invention is to provide novel and improved combinations of energy storing and friction generating components for use in the torsional vibration dampers of the above outlined force transmitting apparatus.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of damping torsional vibrations between the rotary output element of a prime mover and the rotary input element of a transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle.
A further object of the invention is to provide a power train which can be utilized in a motor vehicle and embodies a force transmitting apparatus of the above outlined character.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, reliable and long-lasting combination of an internal combustion engine, a torque converter, a change-speed transmission and one or more torsional vibration dampers which can damp or prevent the transmission of torsional vibrations from the engine to the transmission as well as in the opposite direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a force transmitting apparatus which comprises a fluid-containing housing rotatable about a predetermined axis, a pump which is disposed in and is rotatable with the housing, a turbine which is coaxial with and is disposed in and is rotatable relative to the housing, a rotary output assembly which is coaxial with and connectable to the turbine, a prime mover having a rotary torque transmitting arrangement for the housing, and a damper which is interposed between the torque transmitting arrangement and the output assembly and is located outside of the housing.
The housing, the turbine, the pump and the output assembly can form part of a Föttinger clutch or of a hydrokinetic torque converter. The torque converter can further comprise one or more stators installed in the housing between the pump and the turbine.
The external damper can comprise at least one energy storing component, at least one (wet or dry) friction generating component, and means for separating the energy storing and friction generating components from each other. Such separating means can define a chamber for the at least one energy storing component; to this end, the separating means can comprise at least one carrier bounding a portion of the chamber, and a collar or flange which is secured to a wall of the housing and includes portions extending into the chamber. Such separating means can further comprise a form-locking connection between the collar and the wall. The damper can further comprise at least one seal interposed between those portions of the collar which extend into the chamber and the carrier. The at least one seal can comprise a membrane and/or a sealing ring, and such seal can be made of a plastic material, an elastomeric material, a metallic material or a composite of two or all three of the just enumerated materials. The seal or seals can be corrugated; such seal or seals can be provided with one or more sealing lips, and each seal can but need not extend at least substantially radially of the axis of the housing for the turbine and the pump.
The carrier and the collar can have a limited freedom of movement relative to each other in at least one of two directions including radially and axially of the housing, and the at least one seal can be arranged to seal the chamber between the carrier and the collar irrespective of such limited freedom of movement of the carrier and the collar relative to each other.
The damper can further comprise an annular member which is or which can be fixedly secured to the carrier; the collar and/or the annular member can carry or embody means for centering the external damper on a shaft of the rotary torque transmitting arrangement (such shaft can constitute the output shaft (such as a camshaft or a crankshaft) of an internal combustion engine in the power train of a motor vehicle). Alternatively, the torque transmitting arrangement can include a centering member which is coaxial with the housing of the Föttinger clutch or the hydrokinetic torque converter, and the collar and/or the annular member can be provided with means for centering the damper on the centering member of the torque transmitting arrangement.
Alternatively, the damper can be centered on the aforementioned carrier by a centering means which consists of a metallic sheet material.
The aforementioned wall of the housing for the pump and the turbine can be provided with an annular (particularly cylindrical) external surface, and at least the energy storing means of the at least one energy storing component can be mounted to surround the external surface
Heck Thomas
Krause Thorsten
Maienschein Stephan
Meisner Marc
Darby & Darby
LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
Marmor Charles A
Rodriguez Saul
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