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:
Apr. 23, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 10, 2000
Lyle Ward, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Paul L. Maceroni, Clinton Township, MI (US);
Otis Olson, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A supercharger clutch system has a clutch housing ( ) in which a clutch pack ( ) is disposed to transmit torque from an input, such as a pulley ( ), to one of the timing gears ( ). The clutch pack ( ) is disposed within a cage ( ), having a spring seat member ( ) adjacent thereto. A set of springs ( ) biases the seat member and the clutch cage ( ) to engage the clutch pack ( ). On the opposite side, axially, of the clutch pack there is a piston ( ) including a portion ( ) surrounding the clutch cage ( ) and engaging the seat member ( ). The piston ( ) and the clutch housing ( ) define a pressure chamber ( ) which, when pressurized, causes movement of the piston in a direction compressing the springs ( ) and disengaging the clutch pack. With the invention, the clutch system can be operated by engine lubrication oil, while still achieving rapid engagements (short response time), wherein the rate of engagement can be modulated to suit vehicle operating conditions.