Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

James Kevin Spring

Dale Arden Stretch

Erlen B Walton

Douglas A Hughes

G Clark Fortune

Douglas Anthony Hughes

William N Eybergen

Thomas J Waraksa

John D Prainito

Michael W Nank

A hydraulically-actuated device comprises a self-contained fluid reservoir comprising a tank for receiving a fluid, a reservoir port, and a flexible diaphragm. An actuation member comprises a hydraulically actuated piston in a cylinder. A pump case comprises an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir port, and the outlet port in fluid communication with the actuation member. A pump is within the pump case. The pump can be a reversible pump. The flexible diaphragm can flex in to the fluid reservoir when the pump transfers a fluid from the fluid reservoir to the actuation member and can flex away from the fluid reservoir when the pump transfers fluid from the actuation member to the fluid reservoir. The flexible diaphragm can hermetically seal a fluid within the fluid reservoir and have a second side in communication with atmospheric pressure.

Hydraulically actuated differential

An integrated motor and clutch assembly is provided, which includes a housing that rotatably supports an input shaft and an output shaft. A selectively engageable friction clutch is disposed between the input shaft and the output shaft for transferring torque therebetween. The friction clutch includes an outer hub connected for rotation with the output shaft. The integrated motor and clutch assembly also includes a motor having a rotor non-rotatably connected to the outer hub of the friction clutch and disposed coaxial with the input and output shafts. The motor also includes a stator secured to the housing and disposed concentric with the rotor.

Integrated motor and clutch assembly

A particle clutch and a ball-ramp-actuated friction clutch controlled by the particle clutch. The particle clutch includes input and output couplings, the transfer of force therebetween being determined by the shear viscosity of a magnetically reactive medium, comprising magnetic particles or a magnetorheological fluid, which fills a gap between corresponding surfaces operably connected to the input and output couplings. The shear viscosity of the medium is variable by the application of a magnetic field. The output coupling is operably connected to one side of the ball-ramp actuator, such that a transfer of force between the input and output couplings causes a relative rotation in the actuator, initiating a camming action that compresses friction plates within the friction clutch for transfer of torque through the friction clutch.

Ball-ramp-actuated friction clutch controlled by a particle-clutch

A differential device (,) of the type including a clutch pack (,), engaged by a ball ramp actuator (,), which is initiated by a viscous coupling (,). The output of the device (,) is an output shaft (,) which is hollow and extends through the entire axial extent of the device. The viscous coupling (,) includes, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, an annular input coupling member (,) and an annular output coupling member (,), within the input member, to define therebetween a cylindrical viscous shear chamber (,). The output coupling member (,) at least partially surrounds the first ramp plate (,) of the ball ramp actuator (,), and is in driving engagement therewith, for improved packaging. The clutch pack (,) and the actuator (,) are disposed about the output shaft (,) and axially retained between snap rings (,), so that all axial separation forces generated within the clutch pack and the actuator are taken up within a single member, such as the output shaft (,), rather than being exerted on the connection of the housing (,) and the end cap (,). In the FIG. 5 embodiment, the viscous coupling (,) is in driven engagement with the inner periphery of the first ramp plate (,), with the viscous coupling being of the type including interleaved plates (,).

Viscous actuated ball ramp clutch having through shaft capability

An apparatus (10) allows atmospheric pressure into an environmentally sealed enclosure for creating an equilibrium that allows a sensor (28) make a proper measurement. A slot or opening (26) in the cover (14) exposes outside atmospheric air to a restricted portion of a gas permeable membrane (18). The membrane (18) allows a selected gas to pass through the membrane (18) creating the equilibrium in the housing (12). A gasket (16) positioned between the cover (14) and housing (12) seals the housing in an air tight manner except for the gases allowed in through the membrane (18). Pressure sensor (28) can then make a more accurate measurement. Apparatus (10) finds particular utility in a low pressure tire management system.

Growing community of inventors

Brighton, MI, United States of America

James Kevin Spring