Horton, Inc.

Dave W Hein

A versatile apparatus (2) for controlling the transmission of rotational forces between first and second rotatable members preferably takes the form of a clutch that can be activated by axially shifting an internal actuation member (140) through the introduction of either liquid or gaseous mediums. The clutch includes first and second transmission members (177, 281) which are rotatably mounted within a housing (5) and adapted to be attached to the first and second rotatable members respectively. A coupling assembly (226), preferably including first and second sets of axially spaced interface elements (252-254 and 274, 275), is interposed between the transmission members (177, 284) within the housing and axial movement of the actuation member (140) causes the interface elements (252-254 and 274, 275) to be frictionally engaged. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second sets of axially spaced friction interface elements (252-254 and 274, 275) are biased to a disengaged position by back-to-back arranged belleville washers (264-268), which maintain a constant disengagement force regardless of wear on the frictional surfaces thereof. To minimize associated manufacturing costs, the housing (5) is cast from aluminum. To assure that the clutch can work effectively with various fluid mediums, internal surfaces (19, 58) of the housing (5), against which seals (155, 170) of the actuation member (140) slideably abut, are coated with a hard coat anodize having a TEFLON and epoxy filler.

Rotational control apparatus with bellville return spring assembly

An apparatus (10) for controlling the transmission of rotational forces between first (14) and second (66) members through an axially shiftable friction element (56) that rotates in unison with the first member (14) and can be selectively brought into engagement with the second member (66) is provided with a forced air cooling system that functions to cool the interface between the friction element (56) and the second member (66), as well as a first bearing (54) allowing relative rotation between the friction element (56) and an actuation member (38). A flow of cooling air is developed during operation of the apparatus by fins (172,174) formed about an outer radial surface portion of the friction element (56) and the air is caused to flow through enlarged lobe cut-out sections (156) in the second member (66) along the interface and through holes (164) formed in the friction element (56) which are arranged opposite the first bearing (54). The apparatus also incorporates a power transfer assembly that is extends directly adjacent an additional rotatable support bearing (30,80) that is mounted directly adjacent an end portion (16,18) on the first member (14). The power transfer assembly includes a coupling unit (102,137) which interconnects a power transfer member (88,126) to the end portion (16,18) of the first member (14) by developing a radial clamping force therebetween, while also functioning to axially retain the additional bearing (30,80) without inducing axially stresses on the additional bearing (30,80) during operation of the apparatus (10).

Rotational control apparatus with enhanced cooling and power transfer

Rotational control apparatus with selective fluid actuation supply

A pump (10) is disclosed including an integral clutch and including a housing (26) divided into a clutch zone and a pump zone by a dividing wall (58). An input shaft (12) including a clutch spider (16) is rotatably mounted by a ball roller bearing (54) to a clutch end plate (50). An output shaft (14) is rotatably mounted by linear roller bearings (62, 76) to a pump end plate (68) and the dividing wall (58). A disk pack (20) is slideably mounted to the clutch spider (16) and the output shaft (14) and sandwiched by a piston (34) moved by fluid pressure outward relative to a pressure cylinder (36) and against a pressure plate (28) removably connected to the axial end of the output shaft (14). Thus, axial clutch actuation loads are transmitted only through the disk pack (20) and not to any of the bearings (54, 62, 76). The free axially outer end of the output shaft (14) extends through the pump zone and is located in the pump end plate (68). Clutch actuation fluid is communicated without bearings by first and second passages (96) extending from the pressure cylinder (36) and intersecting with an axial bore (94) in the output shaft (14) into which fluid is introduced by a rotary union (98) carried by the output shaft (14) and the pump end plate (68).

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Oakdale, MN, United States of America

Dave W Hein