초록 ▼

A hydraulic coupling for use in a vehicle drivetrain includes a housing and a pair of rotary members projecting therefrom. The hydraulic coupling also includes a hydraulic circuit defining a low-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is at a first, lower pressure and a high-pressure portion wh

A hydraulic coupling for use in a vehicle drivetrain includes a housing and a pair of rotary members projecting therefrom. The hydraulic coupling also includes a hydraulic circuit defining a low-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is at a first, lower pressure and a high-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is in a second, elevated pressure relative to the first pressure. A hydraulic pump is operatively supported within the housing and located within the path of the hydraulic circuit between the low pressure and high-pressure portions. The hydraulic pump is operable to pump hydraulic fluid from the low-pressure portion to the high-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit. In addition, a clutch is supported within the housing and located within the high-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit. The clutch is actuable by hydraulic fluid that is pumped by the hydraulic pump at the second, elevated pressure to couple the pair of rotary members together. Furthermore, the hydraulic coupling of the present invention includes a control valve that is operable in response to a signal from a controller to selectively control the actuation of the clutch independent of the fluid pressure in the high-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hydraulic coupling for use in a vehicle drivetrain including a housing and a pair of rotary members projecting therefrom, said hydraulic coupling comprising:a hydraulic circuit defining a low-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is at a first, lower pressure and a high-pressure portion

1. A hydraulic coupling for use in a vehicle drivetrain including a housing and a pair of rotary members projecting therefrom, said hydraulic coupling comprising:a hydraulic circuit defining a low-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is at a first, lower pressure and a high-pressure portion wherein the hydraulic fluid is at a second, elevated pressure relative to said first pressure; a hydraulic pump operatively supported within the housing and located within the path of the hydraulic circuit between said low pressure portion and said high pressure portion, said hydraulic pump operable to pump the hydraulic fluid from said low pressure portion to said high pressure portion of said hydraulic circuit; a clutch supported within the housing and located within said high pressure portion of said hydraulic circuit, said clutch being actuable by hydraulic fluid pumped by said hydraulic pump and at said second, elevated pressure to couple the pair of rotary members together; a control valve and a control circuit, said control circuit including a controller adapted to receive electronic input relating to the differential rotation of the rotary members with respect to each other, and an error amplifier adapted to receive a torque command signal from the controller; and said control valve adapted to receive a command drive signal from said error amplifier to selectively control the actuation of said clutch independent of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said high pressure portion of said hydraulic circuit.