Radial flow chamber for clutches in a clutch assembly

Abstract

The present invention broadly comprises a clutch assembly with a radial flow chamber including a first hub and a carrier. The first hub and carrier form at least one first opening and a first portion of at least one radial chamber or passageway in the clutch assembly. First and second radially disposed segments of the first hub and carrier, respectively, partially define the first portion. A second portion of the chamber is formed between the first segment and a third radially disposed segment connected to a second hub. Openings in the first segment connect the first and second portions. A third portion of the passageway is formed between the second segment and a fourth radially disposed segment. A plate forms at least a portion of an axial barrier with respect to a second clutch in the clutch assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a present invention hub and carrier assembly;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the hub and carrier assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hub and carrier assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hub and carrier assembly shown in FIG. 1 along line 4-4 in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a present invention clutch assembly with a radial flow chamber.

Claims

1. A hub and carrier assembly, comprising: a hub; and,a clutch carrier, wherein said carrier forms at least one first opening with said hub, said hub and said carrier form at least one chamber, and said at least one first opening and said at least one chamber are in fluid communication.

2. The hub and carrier assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one first opening is axially aligned.

3. The hub and carrier assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said hub further comprises an interface for a shaft and said at least one first opening is proximate said interface.

4. The hub and carrier assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one first opening comprises a single opening.

5. The hub and carrier assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said hub and carrier further comprise first and second radially disposed segments, respectively, a portion of said at least one chamber is formed between said first and second radially disposed segments, and said first radially disposed segment includes at least one second opening in fluid communication with said at least one chamber.

6. The hub and carrier assembly recited in claim 5 wherein said at least one first and second openings form the only openings to said at least one chamber.

7. The hub and carrier assembly recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second radially disposed segments are fixedly secured one to the other.

8. The hub and carrier assembly recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second radially disposed segments are arranged to transfer torque to said hub.

9. A hub and carrier assembly in a clutch assembly, comprising: a hub; and,a clutch carrier, wherein said carrier and hub form at least one first opening proximate a shaft interface for said hub, said hub and carrier form at least one chamber in fluid communication with said at least one first opening, first and second radially disposed segments of said hub and carrier, respectively, form a portion of said at least one chamber, and said first radially disposed segment includes at least one second axial opening in fluid communication with said at least one chamber.

10. A clutch assembly with a radial flow chamber, comprising: a first hub; and,a first clutch carrier for a clutch in said assembly, wherein said first hub and said first carrier form at least one first opening, said first hub and said first carrier form a first portion of at least one radial flow chamber in said clutch assembly, and said at least one first opening and said at least one chamber are in fluid communication.

11. The clutch assembly recited in claim 10 wherein said first hub comprises an interface for a shaft and said at least one first opening is proximate said interface.

12. The clutch assembly recited in claim 10 wherein said first hub and said first carrier further comprise first and second radially disposed segments, respectively, wherein said first and second radially disposed segments partially define said first portion, and wherein said first radially disposed segment includes at least one second opening.

13. The clutch assembly recited in claim 12 further comprising: a third radially disposed segment connected to a second hub; and, wherein a second portion of said at least one chamber is formed between said first and third radially disposed segments.

14. The clutch assembly recited in claim 13 wherein said at least one second opening is in fluid communication with said first and second portions.

15. The clutch assembly recited in claim 13 further comprising: a fourth radially disposed segment; and, wherein a third portion of said at least one chamber is formed between said second and fourth radially disposed segments, and wherein said third portion is in fluid communication with said first clutch.

16. The clutch assembly recited in claim 15 wherein said fourth radially disposed segment is a first plate.

17. The clutch assembly recited in claim 15 wherein said fourth radially disposed segment is integral to said third segment.

18. The clutch assembly recited in claim 15 wherein said clutch assembly further comprises a second clutch carrier for a first outer clutch and said fourth radially disposed segment is formed by said second carrier.

19. The clutch assembly recited in claim 10 further comprising: a second plate and a second outer clutch; and, wherein said second plate forms at least a portion of an axial barrier with respect to said second outer clutch.

20. A clutch assembly with a radial flow passageway, comprising: first and second hubs; and,a carrier for a first clutch in said assembly, wherein said carrier forms at least one axial opening with said first hub, said first hub and said carrier form a first portion of at least one radial passageway in said clutch assembly, said first and second hubs form a second portion of said at least one radial passageway, said first hub comprises at least one opening in fluid communication with said first and second portions, and said second portion is in fluid communication with a chamber at least partially formed by an outer circumference of said carrier.

21. The clutch assembly recited in claim 20 further comprising: a first radially disposed segment, a first radially disposed plate, and a second clutch; and, wherein said second clutch is in fluid communication with said first clutch, said first radially disposed segment at least partially defines said chamber, and said first radially disposed plate forms at least a portion of an axial barrier with respect to said second clutch.