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. 19, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 23, 1999
Adrian Chludek, Sankt Augustin, DE;
GKN Viscodrive GmbH, Lohmar, DE;
Abstract
A coupling device with two parts which are coaxially rotatable relative to one another, comprising a friction coupling whose friction plates are alternately connected to each of the rotatable parts. Further the coupling device comprises an actuating device for the friction coupling, which comprises an annular chamber formed in one of the rotatable parts and containing a highly viscous fluid. A rotational member is arranged in the annular chamber and is drivingly connected to the other one of the rotatable parts. The actuating device, when the rotatable parts rotate relative to one another, causes an increase in pressure of the highly viscous fluid for the purpose of loading the friction coupling. When the relative rotation between the rotatable parts exceeds a given value, the increase in pressure is checked to limit the torque transferred through the friction coupling.