Patent Application
20120090943
The present invention relates to clutch systems, and more particularly, to clutch systems configured to separate clutch plates.
Clutch systems that effectively separate clutch plates, e.g., when the clutch system is disengaged, remain an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings, drawbacks, and disadvantages relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique clutch system. Another embodiment is a unique clutch system. Another embodiment is a unique method. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for clutch systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nonetheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the illustration and description of certain embodiments of the invention. In addition, any alterations and/or modifications of the illustrated and/or described embodiment(s) are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. Further, any other applications of the principles of the invention, as illustrated and/or described herein, as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment, a clutch system includes a clutch having input clutch plates and output clutch plates. Power is transferred through the clutch when the input clutch plates and the output clutch plates are engaged. The clutch system maintains separation between the input clutch plates and output clutch plates when the clutch is disengaged. In one form, magnets are used to separate the input clutch plates and the output clutch plates from each other. In one form, the clutch system includes, in addition to the input clutch plates and the output clutch plates, an input shaft, an output shaft, input drive keys, and output drive keys. In various embodiments, the magnets used to separate the input clutch plates and the output clutch plates may be embedded into any of the components of the system, including the input shaft, the output shaft, input clutch plates, output clutch plates, input drive keys, and/or output drive keys. In one form, the magnets are arranged to repel each other, thereby maintaining separation of the input clutch plates and the output clutch plates
In some embodiments, the input clutch plates and the output clutch plates are separated by air that is circulated between the plates when the clutch is disengaged. In one form, openings, e.g., vent holes, are provided in one or more of the clutch plates and extend through the face of one or more of the plates to allow air to enter the area between adjacent clutch plates. This air creates a buffer to discourage the plates from contacting each other. In some embodiments, a separator may be disposed between discs to act as a pump for drawing air into the disc.
Referring to
In one form, clutch system 10 includes one or more magnets 12, an input shaft 14, an output shaft 16, input clutch plates 18, 24, and 30, output clutch plates 20 and 22, input drive keys 26, and output drive keys 28. Input clutch plates are configured to receive input power for transfer to output clutch plates 20 and 22 when clutch system 10 is engaged. Other embodiments can include lesser or greater numbers of input clutch plates and output clutch plates. As used herein, the terms “input” and “output” are used for convenience of description only and are not intended to be limited to embodiments in which the plates are used as only a drive or a driven system. For example, clutch plates 18, 24, and 30 may be used in some applications as input or drive plates, whereas in other applications, clutch plates 18, 24, and 30 may be employed as driven or output plates. Similarly, the output plates 20 and 22 can be used as driven plates in some applications, and as drive plates in others. In still other embodiments, clutch plates 18, 24, and 30, and clutch plates 20 and 22 may alternatingly function as input and output clutch plates.
Magnet(s) 12 are configured to separate clutch plates 18, 24, and 30 from clutch plates 20 and 22 when clutch system 10 is disengaged. In various embodiments, magnets 12 may be embedded into any of the components of clutch system 10. In one form, magnets 12 are installed in more than one component, and are configured to separate clutch plates 18, 24, and 30 from clutch plates 20 and 22 by using magnetic repulsive (repelling) force. In other embodiments, magnets 12 may be configured to separate clutch plates 18, 24, and 30 from clutch plates 20 and 22 using magnetic attractive forces in addition to or in place of magnetic repulsive forces.
In one form, input drive keys 26 are disposed on an internal portion input shaft 14, and output drive keys 28 are disposed on an external portion of output shaft 16 (note that shafts 14 and 16 are not drawn to the same scale as clutch plates clutch plates 18, 24, and 30 from clutch plates 20 and 22. In other embodiments, one or both of input drive keys 26 and output drive keys 28 may be disposed in other locations. In one non-limiting embodiment, the keys 26 are located on an inner surface of the input shaft 14, which is assembled onto the outer diameter of the input plates 18, 24, and 30, wherein keys 26 engage with slots 27 formed in the input clutch plates 18, 24, and 30. In one non-limiting embodiment, output shaft 16 is assembled into the internal portion of output clutch plates 20 and 22, and keys 28 engage slots the output clutch plates 20 and 22, e.g., in a manner described below in the description of
In some embodiments the clutch plates may be an assembly of components. In one non-limiting example, the clutch plates 20, 22, and 30 may be plates having separate parts that are attached together. For example, plates 20, 22, and 30 may be plates having separate halves which, in one form, are mechanically fastened together, such as through the use of rivets, bolts, or screws. An embodiment of a clutch plate having separate parts that are attached together is discussed below.
The present magnetic clutch system may be applied to any variety of clutch systems. Some system include, but are not limited to, automotive transmissions, industrial clutches, axial plate clutches, and high power C/C clutch packs. In one form the clutch system may be used in an aircraft. The aircraft may be powered by a variety of power plants, one of which includes a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine can take on a variety of forms such as a turbojet, turbofan, turboshaft, or turboprop. In some forms the gas turbine engine can be an adaptive cycle engine and/or a variable cycle engine.
As used herein, the term “aircraft” includes, but is not limited to, helicopters, airplanes, unmanned space vehicles, fixed wing vehicles, variable wing vehicles, rotary wing vehicles, unmanned combat aerial vehicles, tailless aircraft, hover crafts, and other airborne and/or extraterrestrial (spacecraft) vehicles. Further, the present inventions are contemplated for utilization in other applications that may not be coupled with an aircraft such as, for example, industrial applications, power generation, pumping sets, naval propulsion, weapon systems, security systems, perimeter defense/security systems, and the like known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
In one non-limiting embodiment a vertical/short take off and landing aircraft that uses a lift fan may have a clutch system 10 that engages and disengages the lift fan. For example, clutch system 10 may be engaged to permit generation of lift from the lift fan when desired. In one form the lift fan is driven by a gas turbine engine, and the clutch system 10 is used to engage and disengage the lift fan from a drive shaft coupled to the gas turbine engine.
device/construction/compound/etc. useful in coupling the left portion 35 and right portion 37 together. To set forth just a few non-limiting examples, the left portion 35 and right portion 37 can be fastened using mechanical devices or chemical adhesives, and furthermore can alternatively and/or additional be fastened using techniques such as welding. Other systems/techniques for fastening the left portion 35 and right portion 37 are also contemplated herein.
The inner diameter of the clutch plate(s) 34 is lugged, having lugs 36 separated by slots 33. Slots 33 are configured to engage drive keys 28 for transferring power between clutch plate 34 and output shaft 16. In other embodiments, other means of engagement may be employed.
Clutch system 40 employs air to separate adjacent clutch plates. For example, in one form, air that is in the vicinity of clutch system 40 is redirected to create a buffer zone between any of the plates 42, 44, 46, 48, 50. In other embodiments, air for use in separating the clutch plates may be obtained from other sources, e.g., including compressor bleed air. In one form, air can be routed through an interior of one or more of the plates, in which the plate(s) also include(s) small holes in the face of the plate(s) for the air to exit and create a buffer between the plate(s) and any adjacent plate(s).
As shown in the
Embodiments of the present invention include a clutch system, comprising: a plurality of clutch plates; and a plurality of magnets configured to maintain separation between the clutch plates when the clutch system is disengaged.
In a refinement, the clutch plates include at least one input clutch plate and at least one output clutch plate, wherein the plurality of magnets is configured to maintain separation between the at least one input clutch plate and the at least one output clutch plate.
In another refinement, the clutch system further comprises: an input shaft coupled to the at least one input clutch plate; and an output shaft coupled to the at least one output clutch plate.
In yet another refinement, the clutch system further comprises: an input drive key coupled to the input shaft; and an output drive key coupled to the output shaft.
In still another refinement, the magnets are coupled to at least one of the input shaft, the output shaft, the input clutch plate, the output clutch plate, the input drive key, and/or the output drive key.
In yet still another refinement, at least one clutch plate includes lugs.
In a further refinement, the lugs are located on an inner diameter of the at least one clutch plate.
In a yet further refinement, the lugs are located on an outer diameter of the at least one clutch plate.
In a still further refinement, the lugs are located on the inner or outer diameter of the at least one clutch plate.
Embodiments of the present invention include a clutch system, comprising: a first clutch plate; a second clutch plate disposed adjacent to the first clutch plate; and openings in at least one of the first clutch plate and the second clutch plate, wherein the openings are configured to receive air, wherein the clutch system is configured to separate the first clutch plate from the second clutch plate when the clutch system is disengaged using the air.
In a refinement, the at least one of the first clutch plate and the second clutch plate includes an air scoop arrangement configured to draw in the air.
In another refinement, the second clutch plate includes a wear face; and wherein the wear face includes a plurality of vent holes in fluid communication with the air scoop arrangement and operative to expel the air between the first and the second clutch plates to separate the first and the second clutch plates when the clutch system is disengaged.
In yet another refinement, the clutch system further comprises a passage inside the at least one of the first clutch plate and the second clutch plate configured to deliver air from the air scoop arrangement to the vent holes.
In still another refinement, the clutch system further comprises a plurality of lugs on an inner diameter of the clutch system.
Embodiments of the present invention include a method, comprising: disengaging a clutch system, the clutch system including a plurality of clutch plates; and separating the clutch plates using separation means.
In a refinement, the separation means includes an air scoop arrangement to draw in air on an inner clutch plate.
In another refinement, the separation means further includes a plurality of vent holes in one of the clutch plates to expel the air.
In yet another refinement, the separation means further includes a plurality of passages extending between the air scoop arrangement and the vent holes
In still another refinement, the separation means includes a plurality of magnets.
In yet still another refinement, the magnets may be coupled to an input shaft, an output shaft, an input clutch plate, an output clutch plate, an input drive key, and/or an output drive key.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/384,590 filed Sep. 20, 2010, entitled CLUTCH PLATE SEPARATION, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61384590 | Sep 2010 | US |
