Borgwarner Inc.

Other

Ernest A Ferris

John W McColl

A one-way clutch assembly positioned between inner and outer races for the clutch and which includes a one-piece generally cylindrical cage formed of a suitable plastic material having a plurality of openings to receive sprags therein, and a pair of integral spring fingers in each opening to engage the opposite sides of a sprag and lightly urge the sprag into contact with the interior and exterior surfaces of the inner and outer races of the clutch. To provide a full-phased sprag clutch, an additional cage ring is provided concentric to and closely fitting the cage with a plurality of openings generally aligned with the cage openings to provide a full-phased clutch operation. Further, a separate metal spring member can be substituted for the integral spring fingers, which spring member clamps onto a cross piece of the cage and provides spring fingers extending into the cage opening to contact the sprag.

Plastic cage for a one-way clutch

A hydraulically-actuated starting clutch, and more particularly a starting clutch for a continuously variable transmission which is located at the output of the transmission to couple the vehicle wheels to the engine upon a signal from a throttle-induced system oil pressure. The clutch includes a housing connected to the drive shaft through a hub and forming a pressure chamber behind an annular piston, a Belleville spring connecting the driving shaft hub and a pressure plate together for simultaneous rotation; the piston urging the pressure plate against a clutch plate and an end plate secured in the housing. The piston includes a plurality of axial projections thereon contacting the surface of the pressure plate opposite to the clutch plate, and the clutch plate is operatively connected to a driven concentric sleeve shaft to drive the vehicle wheels. An annular balance cap secured in the housing between the piston and pressure plate has openings closely receiving the piston projections and provides a centrifugally shrouded zone for cooling oil to react against the centrifugal force acting on the hydraulic fluid urging the piston against the pressure plate.

Hydraulically-actuated starting clutch assembly with balanced piston

A hydraulically actuated starting clutch and more particularly a starting clutch for a continuously variable transmission which is located at the output of the transmission to couple the vehicle wheels to the engine upon a signal from the throttle induced system oil pressure. The clutch includes a cover connected to the drive shaft through a hub forming a pressure chamber behind a piston, a Belleville spring acted upon by the piston and urging a pressure plate against the clutch plate and an end plate secured in the cover. Weights are mounted on the Belleville spring to compensate for the centrifugal effect of the oil in the pressure chamber. The clutch plate is operatively connected to a sleeve shaft to drive the differential for the vehicle wheels.

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Oak Brook, IL, United States of America

Ernest A Ferris