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:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 14, 2002
Lawrence McAuliffe, Jr., Battle Creek, MI (US);
Ross K. Cheadle, Wixom, MI (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A differential gear mechanism of the limited slip type including a clutch pack ( ) operable to retard rotation between the side gears ( ) and the gear case ( ). The clutch pack may be loaded, to retard differentiating action by means of a retarding mechanism ( ) including a first ball ramp actuator ( ) operable to cause axial movement of a plurality of elongated engagement members ( ). When the members ( ) move axially, a cone clutch assembly ( ) is engaged, which retards rotation of a ramp plate ( ) of a second ball ramp actuator ( ). It is the ramping action of the second ball ramp actuator ( ) which applies a load to the clutch pack ( ) to limit, or prevent, differentiation within the differential gearing.