GB971639A - Hydraulically-actuated friction coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

971,639. Friction clutches. JARMUFEJLESZTESI INTEZET. March 20, 1961 [March 18, 1960], No. 10079/61. Heading F2C. In a spring-released motor-vehicle friction clutch 9a, 9b, which may (Fig. 3, not shown) be arranged in parallel with an hydrodynamic fluid coupling, engagement is effected by the centrifugal pressure of a liquid supplied continuously from a pipe 6 to a pressure space 7 in a cylinder 1 secured to an input shaft 2, and the radial depth of the liquid is controlled by three sets of exhaust apertures 12, 13, 6a, to produce progressive engagement and an independently determined differential between engagement and disengagement speeds. Initially the liquid ring forms to a radial depth 12. Increased input speed first closes, without effect, the openings 13 by centrifugal valves 14, and later generates sufficient centrifugal pressure to cause a piston 3 to apply engaging pressure to the clutch plates 9a, 9b, thus driving an output shaft 11, and at the same time closing the piston apertures 12, whereupon the radial depth of the liquid ring increases to its maximum at the apertures 6a, producing full clutch engagement. On speed decrease the clutch remains engaged under pressure of the full radial depth of liquid until, at a speed which is lower than that of initial engagement and can be independently determined, the centrifugal valves 14 are spring-loaded inwards to open the apertures 13, at which radial depth a clutch release spring 4 disengages the clutch.