The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 09, 1980
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1977
Karl A Nerstad, Peoria, IL (US);
Curtis E Chadwick, III, Edelstein, IL (US);
Gordon W Johnson, Dunlap, IL (US);
Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A fluid pressure operated clutch which transmits torque from an engine output shaft to a transmission input shaft, including a rotatable flywheel connected to the output shaft, an adapter connected to the flywheel for rotation with the flywheel, the adapter having a first annular plate with a fluid passage near the inner periphery of the plate, and a centrifugal piston which defines with the adapter a fluid chamber supporting a rotatable torus of hydraulic fluid. The piston has a second annular plate, slideable with respect to the first plate, and a second fluid passage near the outer periphery of the second plate. The first and second plates, at their inner peripheries, provide a controlled clearance to vary the rate of hydraulic fluid into the first fluid chamber as the second plate slides. A centrifugal relief valve is connected to the piston and has a conical valve member removably seated on an outlet of the valve to drain fluid from the chamber through the second passage and the outlet when engine overspeed occurs. A clutch pack of friction plates responds to movement of the piston to engage and disengage the clutch.