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:
Feb. 03, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 27, 2002
Joseph J. Page, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A clutch assembly for a transmission is configured to selectively interconnect a first rotatable member with a second rotatable member by engagement of a clutch pack. The clutch assembly includes a compensator and a piston which is axially moveable with respect to the compensator and configured to selectively abut and engage the clutch pack to interconnect the first and second rotatable members. A clutch housing encloses the piston, compensator and clutch pack. A piston cavity is formed between the housing and piston to receive fluid from a clutch apply feed orifice to actuate the piston. A compensator cavity is formed between the compensator and piston to receive fluid from a compensator feed orifice. The piston cavity and compensator cavity are configured such that fluid in the compensator cavity provides a greater centrifugal pressure force against the piston in a clutch release direction than fluid in the piston cavity provides against the piston in a clutch apply direction during rotation, thereby eliminating the need for a return spring in the compensator cavity.