Mclaren Automotive Group, Inc.

Asha Corporation

Jeffrey Lowell

Joseph Treiber

Brian D Macy

A hydraulic coupling for use in a vehicle drivetrain includes a housing and a pair of rotary members projecting therefrom. The hydraulic coupling also includes a hydraulic circuit defining a low-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is at a first, lower pressure and a high-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is in a second, elevated pressure relative to the first pressure. A hydraulic pump is operatively supported within the housing and located within the path of the hydraulic circuit between the low pressure and high-pressure portions. The hydraulic pump is operable to pump hydraulic fluid from the low-pressure portion to the high-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit. In addition, a clutch is supported within the housing and located within the high-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit. The clutch is actuable by hydraulic fluid that is pumped by the hydraulic pump at the second, elevated pressure to couple the pair of rotary members together. Furthermore, the hydraulic coupling of the present invention includes a control valve that is operable in response to a signal from a controller to selectively control the actuation of the clutch independent of the fluid pressure in the high-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit.

Electronically controlled hydraulic coupling

A limited slip differential for use with an automotive vehicle comprising differential gearing including a pair of differential side gears, one side gear being connected to each of two axle shafts for vehicle traction wheels, a differential carrier housing supporting differential pinions engageable with the side gears, the differential carrier being connected drivably through a drive shaft to the vehicle engine, first and second clutches connecting the differential carrier with each side gear, a mechanical cam mechanism for transferring a clutch-engaging force from the carrier to each of the clutches, thereby establishing a mechanical torque bias in the differential mechanism, and a clutch spring acting on each clutch to partially engage the clutches whereby the clutch-engaging force increases as a function of engine throttle position at a first rate for low engine throttle settings and at a higher rate for advanced engine throttle settings.

Limited slip differential with spring-loaded clutches

A speed-sensitive, limited-slip, geared differential mechanism for transferring driving torque to each of two torque output shafts. Side gears located in a planetary gear carrier housing, one side gear being drivably connected to one pump member of a positive displacement pump and the planetary gear carrier being connected to another pump member. The pump is supplied with silicone fluid from a fluid reservoir. The pump creates a hydrostatic torque bias when differential motion of the side gears occurs as silicone fluid circulates through the pump.

Speed-sensitive differential

A limited slip differential gear mechanism, particularly for use with automotive vehicle axles, comprising differential side gears connected drivably to each of two driving axles for the vehicle. A pair of pressure plates splined to the carrier define a pair of opposed ramps. They are engaged by differential pinions carried by a pinion shaft. The pinions engage each of the two side gears. A friction clutch assembly is situated adjacent each side gear. The pressure plates transfer an axial component of the thrust force created on the ramp surfaces as torque is transmitted through the pinions and through each side gear to each of two axle shafts. Each friction clutch assembly includes friction disks carried by the side gears and by the carrier so that a bias torque is established as one axle shaft overspeeds the other. A hydrostatic pump has one pump member connected to the carrier and another connected to one of the axle shafts. The hydrostatic pump creates a differential speed-sensitive bias which complements the torque-sensitive bias developed by the ramps.

Growing community of inventors

Ventura, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey Lowell