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:
Aug. 18, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1996
Kurt R Baer, Toledo, OH (US);
George A Willford, Waterville, OH (US);
Timothy R Zuehlke, Toledo, OH (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A clutch actuator includes an outer cylinder housing having a plurality of ramps formed on an inner cylindrical surface thereof. Each of the ramps has a radially inwardly facing surface which includes a forwardly facing tapered surface and a rearwardly facing tapered surface. A hollow cylindrical piston is disposed concentrically within the outer cylinder housing and has a plurality of axially extending protrusions formed thereon. Preferably, the number of such protrusions is equal to the number of the ramps formed on the outer cylinder housing, and the protrusions are circumferentially interleaved within the ramps formed on the outer cylinder housing. Each of the protrusions has a radially outwardly facing surface which includes a forwardly facing tapered surface and a circumferentially extending groove. An inner cylinder housing is disposed concentrically within the piston. The outer and inner cylinder housings are fixed in position and define an annular chamber within which the piston can reciprocate axially. The piston is connected to a release sleeve of a clutch by means of a snap ring which is disposed within the grooves formed in the protrusions of the piston. Thus, the piston is connected to the release sleeve for axial movement therewith to operate the clutch. To disconnect the clutch actuator from the clutch, the piston is moved axially to a point where the snap ring engages the rearwardly facing tapered surfaces provided on the ramps of the outer cylinder housing. The rearwardly facing tapered surfaces provided on the ramps move the snap ring out of the grooves formed in the protrusions, thereby disconnecting the piston from the release sleeve.