Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Fluid coupling
Reexamination Certificate
1992-10-19
2003-05-06
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3679)
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Fluid coupling
C464S027000, C464S068800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06558260
ABSTRACT:
The apparatus of the present invention is similar to those which are described in commonly owned copending patent application Ser. No. 07/617,918 filed Jul. 2, 1987 by Johann Jackel et al. for “Apparatus for damping vibrations”. Numerous apparatus embodying certain features of the apparatus of the present invention are disclosed in additional pending United States patent applications and in numerous United States and foreign Letters Patent of the assignee of the present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for damping vibrations, especially between the output element of an engine (such as the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle) and a power train (particularly the power train including the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle). More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in torsional vibration damping apparatus of the type wherein at least two flywheels are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of damper means, wherein one of the flywheels is connectable to the output element of the engine, and wherein another flywheel is connectable with the input element of a change-speed transmission, especially by way of a clutch (such as a friction clutch).
Vibration damping apparatus of the above outlined character normally employ one or more dampers which comprise elastic energy storing elements (such as circumferentially extending coil springs) installed or operating between the flywheels in such a way that they oppose rotation of the flywheels relative to each other and undergo compression and store energy when one of the flywheels is caused to change its angular position with reference to the other flywheel, and/or energy storing elements which act in the axial direction and employ or cooperate with friction pads or linings to generate friction (i.e., hysteresis). As a rule, or in many instances, the energy storing elements which act in the axial direction of the flywheels are connected in parallel with the damper or dampers acting in the circumferential direction of the flywheels.
It has been found that, though the just described conventional vibration damping apparatus are quite satisfactory under certain operating conditions (i.e., they can damp certain types of vibrations and they can also reduce noise which develops in response to angular movements of the flywheels relative to each other), the operation of all presently known apparatus constitutes a compromise between an optimum operation under first circumstances and a less satisfactory operation under different second circumstances. For example, purely mechanical vibration damping apparatus cannot satisfactorily oppose a full spectrum of vibrations which are likely to develop at different rotational speeds of the engine and/or under different loads and/or on different types of terrain and/or in different types of motor vehicles. The same applies for the reduction of noise under such widely different circumstances. The bulk and cost of mechanical vibration damping apparatus increase considerably if such apparatus are to be designed with a view to satisfactorily oppose vibrations and to reduce noise under two or more different circumstances which require different modes of vibration damping and/or different modes of noise reduction. Another drawback of purely mechanical vibration damping apparatus is that they cannot conform their damping characteristics to a variety of widely different operating conditions which vary within wide ranges (for example, to different operating conditions which arise as a result of acceleration of the engine-driven flywheel from a relatively low speed to a much higher speed or vice versa). One of the reasons for such lack of versatility of mechanical vibration damping apparatus is that the histeresis of their energy storing elements which act in the circumferential direction of the flywheels cannot adequately conform to changing operating conditions. Moreover, mechanical vibration damping apparatus are prone to malfunction and their parts are subject to extensive wear.
Another drawback of presently known vibration damping apparatus is that they do not allow for extensive angular movements of the flywheels relative to each other. In other words, the damping action of the damper or dampers must be very pronounced, at least during the major part of the extent of angular displacement of the flywheels relative to each other. This prevents the conventional apparatus from effectively damping large-amplitude vibrations.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved vibration damping apparatus which can be used as a superior substitute for heretofore known apparatus between the engines and the power trains of motor vehicles.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can effectively filter vibrations between the engine and the change-speed transmission of a motor vehicle under a wide range of operating conditions.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is effective at low, medium and high rotational speeds of its flywheels as well as at resonance RPM and during starting and stoppage of the engine.
An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whose damping characteristics (i.e., its ability to dissipate energy) can readily conform to different vibration generating and/or noise generating parameters of the vehicle.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple, compact and inexpensive apparatus which can oppose vibratory movements and the generation of noise in a number of different ways (including hydraulically and mechanically) and at least as effectively as specially designed inflexible (low-versatility) conventional vibration damping apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whose parts can be mass-produced in available machines and with a minimum of material removing treatment.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whose useful life is long and wherein the parts are subject to less wear than in conventional apparatus.
An additional object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel and improved flywheels.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of assembling the above outlined apparatus and a novel and improved method of coordinating the action of two or more hydraulic and/or mechanical dampers.
A further object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel and improved damper means and to provide the apparatus with novel and improved means for confining and shielding the damper means.
Another object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle which embodies the above outlined apparatus and to provide a novel and improved torque-transmitting connection between the engine and the change-speed transmission of a motor vehicle.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved torque-transmitting connection between the relatively movable parts of the above outlined apparatus.
The invention is embodied in an apparatus which can be used to damp vibrations, particularly torsional vibrations between an engine (such as the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle) and a power train (particularly a power train including a change-speed transmission and a friction clutch which can establish a torque-transmitting connection between the input element of the transmission and the output element of the engine), wherein a first flywheel is connectable with the engine, wherein a second flywheel is rotatable relative to the first flywheel and is connectable with the power train (particularly by way of a clutch, such as the aforementioned friction clutch), and wherein a damper means operates between and yieldably opposes rotation of the first and second flywheels relative to each other. More particularly, the invention resides in improvements in the above outlined apparatus, the improvements including at least three of the following features:
Jackel Johann
Reik Wolfgang
Browne Lynne H.
Darby & Darby
Dunn Eileen A
uK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
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