Power transfer apparatus having a vibration dampening mechanism which provides structural support for the apparatus
First Claim
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1. A power coupling mechanism disposed between a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device and a transmission comprising:
- at least a first power input plate, a dampening mechanism coupled to said first power input plate and a driven plate coupled to said dampening mechanism;
said dampening mechanism including an annular housing formed with at least one axially extending annular protrusion;
said driven plate being formed with at least one annular groove engaging and inter-fitting with said annular protrusion such that engagement between said annular protrusion and said annular groove confines said driven plate against axial movement with respect to said first power input plate and provides structural support against thrust and radial forces experienced by the power coupling mechanism;
a flexible disk-like plate having a center hole and a plurality of bolt holes radially spaced apart from one another, defining a pitch circle, said flexible disk-like plate boltable to a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device via said bolt holes;
an inertia element rigidly connected to said driven plate; and
a ring gear rigidly connected to said inertia element.
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Abstract
A power coupling mechanism having fluid dampening device with interfitting members which assist in the absorption and transmittance of stress due to torsion and thrust loads, thus reducing the size of a bearing supporting relatively rotatable parts.
41 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A power coupling mechanism disposed between a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device and a transmission comprising:
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at least a first power input plate, a dampening mechanism coupled to said first power input plate and a driven plate coupled to said dampening mechanism; said dampening mechanism including an annular housing formed with at least one axially extending annular protrusion; said driven plate being formed with at least one annular groove engaging and inter-fitting with said annular protrusion such that engagement between said annular protrusion and said annular groove confines said driven plate against axial movement with respect to said first power input plate and provides structural support against thrust and radial forces experienced by the power coupling mechanism; a flexible disk-like plate having a center hole and a plurality of bolt holes radially spaced apart from one another, defining a pitch circle, said flexible disk-like plate boltable to a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device via said bolt holes; an inertia element rigidly connected to said driven plate; and a ring gear rigidly connected to said inertia element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A power coupling mechanism, comprising:
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a flex plate formed with a plurality of bolt holes for connection to a crankshaft, said bolt holes defining a pitch circle, said flex plate formed from a sheet-metal material; a drive plate rigidly connected to said flex plate proximate an outer peripheral portion of said flex plate; a driven plate disposed adjacent to said drive plate, said driven plate and said drive plate at least partially defining an annular housing, said driven plate being connectable with an input shaft of a transmission; a vibration dampening mechanism disposed within said annular housing between said drive plate and said driven plate elastically coupling said drive plate and said driven plate; a hub connected to said drive plate; a bearing connected to said hub between said drive plate and said driven plate to allow for relative rotation between said driven plate and said drive plate, said bearing having an outer diameter smaller that said pitch circle; and an inertia element rigidly connected to said driven plate. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A power coupling mechanism, comprising:
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a flex plate formed with a plurality of bolt holes for connection to a crankshaft, said bolt holes defining a pitch circle, said flex plate formed from a sheet-metal material; a drive plate rigidly connected to said flex plate proximate an outer peripheral portion of said flex plate; a driven plate disposed adjacent to said drive plate, said driven plate and said drive plate at least partially defining an annular housing, said driven plate being connectable with an input shaft of a transmission; a spring disposed within said annular housing between said drive plate and said driven plate elastically coupling said drive plate and said driven plate; a hub formed integrally with said driven plate; a bearing supported on said hub between said drive plate and said driven plate to allow for relative rotation between said driven plate and said drive plate, said bearing having an outer diameter smaller that said pitch circle, said bearing being supported on a portion of said hub such that an inner race of said bearing is mounted on a portion of said hub, and an outer race of said bearing supports said drive plate; and an inertia element rigidly connected to said driven plate.
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27. A power coupling mechanism, comprising:
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a flex plate formed with a plurality of bolt holes for connection to a crankshaft, said bolt holes defining a pitch circle, said flex plate formed from a sheet-metal material; a drive plate rigidly connected to said flex plate proximate an outer peripheral portion of said flex plate; a driven plate disposed adjacent to said drive plate, said driven plate being connectable with an input shaft of a transmission in the absence of a clutch mechanism; a vibration dampening mechanism disposed between said drive plate and said driven plate elastically coupling said drive plate and said driven plate; a bearing supported on a portion of said driven plate to allow for relative rotation between said driven plate and said drive plate, said bearing having an outer diameter smaller that said pitch circle; and an inertia element rigidly connected to said driven plate.
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Specification