Air actuated clutch for four wheel drive vehicles

Patent · Tue Dec 09 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7035726

Clohessy, K E

A control system is described for selectively engaging and disengaging a vehicle wheel and a vehicle drive mechanism comprising; a spindle having inside and outside rotative support surfaces, the spindle adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame, an axle portion rotatably supported on the inside support surface, and drive means for selectively and rotatively driving the axle portion relative to the spindle; a wheel hub assembly adapted to carry a vehicle wheel, the hub assembly rotatively supported on the outside support surface of the spindle; a sealed expansion chamber defined in part by the spindle, the axle portion, the hub assembly and a movable wall carried by the hub assembly, venting means venting the outer side of the movable wall to atmospheric pressure, the clutch ring engaged by the movable wall for movement of the clutch ring with movement of the movable wall as induced by a pressure difference generated within the chamber, and pressurizing means for selectively pressurizing and depressurizing the expansion chamber to thereby selectively shift the clutch ring between the positions of interlocking the axle portion and hub assembly and unlocking the axle portion and hub assembly.

• Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc., Bellevue, WA
• Patent Number(s): US 4627512
• OSTI ID: 7035726
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330602* -- Vehicle Design Factors-- Engine-Transmission Matching
AIR FLOW
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DEPRESSURIZATION
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
GEARS
MACHINE PARTS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS
MOTION
PNEUMATIC CONTROLLERS
PRESSURIZING
ROTATION
SEALS
SUPPORTS
SURFACES
VEHICLES
VENTS
WHEELS