Automotive Products, Inc.

Automotive Products France, Sa

Ap Atm Limited

Ap Time Limited

Anthony John Curtis

Richard D Cooke

Adam Johnson Lambert

Robert John Murphy

Richard David Maitland Cooke

Alastair J Young

John Francis Fitzpatrick-Ellis

Stuart John Sleath

Peter Webster

Heinz Mergarten

Rober John Murphy

Michael Letzer

Franz Sedlmeier

Werner Wastl

Wolfgang Dieminger

Winfried Keller

Gerhard Ronner

Werner Kroger

Omar Moirano

Bradley Armitage

A torsional vibration damper, for example a twin mass flywheel ( ), has an input element ( ) and an output element ( ) which are relatively rotatable against the action of a damping means which includes a plurality of linkages ( ). Each linkage includes a plurality of interconnected links ( ), at least one of which is flexible in an axial sense relative to the remainder of the damper to accommodate forces applied to the flexible link as a result of relative tilting of the damper elements ( ) during use of the damper. Various designs of generally radially extending flexible bob weight links ( ) and additional connecting links ( ) are disclosed.

Torsional vibration dampers

A twin mass flywheel assembly in the form of a twin mass flywheel ( ), a clutch cover ( ) attached to the flywheel, a clutch driven plate ( ), a clutch pressure plate ( ), and spring means ( ) supported from the cover to clamp the driven plate between the flywheel and pressure plate to transmit torque through the assembly. The driven plate ( ) includes a central hub portion ( ) and an outer friction portion ( ) supported from the hub portion via a slipping clutch which may be in the form of a tolerance ring ( ) which allows relative rotation between these portions at torque levels above a predetermined torque thus protecting the assembly and associated driveline from damage due to high level but short duration torsional loading.

Twin mass flywheel assemblies

A torsional vibration damper such as a twin mass flywheel ( ), having an input clement ( ) and an output element ( ) which are relatively rotatable against the action of a damping means which includes a plurality of linkages( ). Each linkage has one or more links ( ) mounted on one element ( ) via pivot pins ( ) which are arranged to extend generally radially in use and connected with the other element ( ) by one or more additional links( ). The pivot pins ( ) of the generally radially extending links ( ) are supported from the associated damper element ( ) via spaced bearings (43 , 43 ). A number of Such spaced bearing arrangements are disclosed some of which hold grease captive.

A friction damping device (,) capable of generating friction torque for controlling the relative rotation of a first and a second flywheel mass of the twin mass flywheel (,), the friction damping device comprising a first (,) and a second (,) friction member operatively connected with one flywheel mass (,) via a common drive formation (cdf) which forms part of the second friction member. A third friction member (,) is sandwiched between the first and second friction members and is operatively connected with the other flywheel mass (,), and actuating means (,) is operative to axially displace the first and second friction members relative to each other to modify the friction generated by the device upon rotation of the third friction member relative to the first or second friction members resulting from relative rotation of the flywheel masses.

Twin mass flywheel friction damping device

A twin mass flywheel for a vehicle comprising two coaxially arranged relatively rotatable masses interconnected by a plurality of pivotal linkages. Each linkage comprises a first link pivotally connected to one flywheel mass, a second link pivotally connected to the other flywheel mass and a pivot joining the links to move radially outwardly. A resilient torque member in each common pivot operable after a predetermined rotation between the flywheel masses to resist said relative rotation. A variable hysteresis friction damping assembly, whose resistance to relative rotation changes as the relative angle of rotation is altered, acts between the flywheel masses. The damping assembly can be provided by two friction damping plates which operate at different stages of rotation. The relative rotation may be limited by a stop member on at least one of the flywheel masses which abuts an abutment surface on the other flywheel mass. The abutment surface can be resilient for cushioning abutment by the stop member.

Twin mass flywheel

A twin mass flywheel (10) in which two co-axially arranged flywheel masses (11,12) are mounted for limited angular rotation relative to each other and a plurality of pivotal linkages (40) interconnect the two flywheel masses. Each linkage comprises a first link (41) pivotally connected (43) to one (12) of the flywheel masses, a second link (42) pivotally connected (44) to the other (11) of the flywheel masses, and a pivot (45) for pivotally connecting the first and second links. A resilient member in the form of an elastomeric torsion unit (46) or spring (36) is associated with the pivotal connection (44) of at least one link (42) with its associated flywheel (11) for controlling the relative rotation of said flywheel masses (11, 12).

A twin mass flywheel for a vehicle comprising two co-axially arranged relatively rotatable masses interconnected by a plurality of pivotal linkages. Each linkage comprises a first link pivotally connected to one flywheel mass, a second link pivotally connected to the other flywheel mass and a pivot joining the links to move radially outwardly. A resilient torque member in each common pivot operable after a predetermined rotation between the flywheel masses to resist said relative rotation. A variable hysteresis friction damping assembly, whose resistance to relative rotation changes as the relative angle of rotation is altered, acts between the flywheel masses. The damping assembly can be provided by two friction damping plates which operate at different stages of rotation. The relative rotation may be limited by a stop member on at least one of the flywheel masses which abuts an abutment surface on the other flywheel mass. The abutment surface can be resilient for cushioning abutment by the stop member.

Twin mass flywheel sub-assembly for a motor vehicle

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Leamington Spa, United Kingdom

Anthony John Curtis