Patent ID: 6076646
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A hydraulic coupling comprising:first and second rotary members;a transfer clutch operatively connected between said first and second rotary members; anda self-contained actuator assembly for engaging said transfer clutch in response to speed differentiation between said first and second rotary members, said actuator assembly including a drive shaft fixed for rotation with said first rotary member, and a housing fixed for rotation with said second rotary member which is sealed relative to said drive shaft to define an actuator chamber, said actuator chamber is filled with hydraulic fluid and includes a supply chamber and a piston chamber, said actuator assembly further including a hydraulic pump located in said actuator chamber to provide a pumping action in response to relative rotation between said first and second rotary members for pumping fluid from said supply chamber into said piston chamber, a piston disposed in said piston chamber and actuatable to engage said transfer clutch for rotatively coupling said first and second rotary members, a flow path between said piston chamber and said supply chamber, and a flow restrictor mounted in said flow path for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid from said piston chamber into said supply chamber.