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. 24, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 31, 1995
Chris Nelson, Roseville, MN (US);
David R Hennessy, Minneapolis, MN (US);
James P LeClaire, St. Paul, MN (US);
Horton, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A rotational control apparatus (A) having a rotatable input (26 or 180) and output (26 or 180) with respective interface discs (106, 180). Three sets of two diametrically opposed pistons (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) are controllable to rotatably relate the interface discs (106, 180). The piston sets (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) include piston heads (76) with dissimilar diameters such that each of the sets of pistons (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) may apply a dissimilar torque for a given amount of air pressure. Each of the piston sets (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) may be actuated independently or in combination with each of the other sets of pistons (64 and 66, 68 and 70, 72 and 74) such that the interface discs (106, 180) may be rotatably related to each other with varying degrees of torque. The rotational control apparatus (A) also includes a unique interface disc (106) with a frustoconical annular projection (136) for drawing relatively hot air away from the hub (26) near the interface disc (106) and out of the apparatus (A). The rotational control apparatus (A) further includes a unique set of axially extending channels (38, 60, 111) for the conveyance of air for cooling the interface discs (106, 180) from a location remote from the interface discs (106, 180). Blades (152) on interface disc (106) draw relatively cool air through the channels (38, 60, 111) to the hub (26) near the interface disc (106).