Patent ID: 6092638
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A rotational control apparatus comprising, in combination: a support mount adapted to be maintained in a fixed position, with the support mount including a shaft portion having an outer surface and a first fluid passage therein; a hub including an inner diametric surface spaced concentrically about the shaft portion; a first member including a first portion adapted to be interconnected to a driving source, a second portion axially spaced from the first portion and an annular, axially extending portion; a first bearing unit interposed between the support mount and the first member, with the first bearing unit including an outer race having an outer diameter dimensioned substantially equal to the inner diametric surface of the hub and an inner race slidably received and retained on the outer surface of the shaft portion, with the first member being rotatably supported by the support mount through the first bearing unit; a first engagement surface provided at the second portion of the first member for concurrent rotation with the first member; a second member having first and second sections, with the second section of the second member extending radially inwardly from the first section and being axially spaced from the first portion of the first member; a second engagement surface provided at the first section of the second member; a central mounting hub formed as part of the second member; a piston positioned axially between the first portion of the first member and the second section of the second member, with the piston including a radial portion and an inner axially extending portion, with the axially extending portion of the first member slidably supporting the axially extending portion of the piston such that the piston is axially shiftable relative to the first member; at least one spring interposed between the first member and the radial portion of the piston; a cap member attached to the first member and arranged between the first bearing unit and the piston, with the cap member having a second fluid passage and an outer diameter dimensioned substantially equal to the inner diametric surface of the hub, with the outer race being positioned against the inner diametric surface of the hub and axially captured within the hub by the cap member, with the hub, outer race and cap member being rotatable in unison relative to the shaft portion, with the cap member, the first member and the piston defining an internal chamber within the rotational control apparatus; a rotary joint mounted between the cap member and the shaft portion, with the rotary joint including a conduit which fluidly interconnects the first and second fluid passages while enabling concurrent rotation of the hub, the outer race and the cap member relative to the shaft portion; a second bearing unit interposed between the axially extending portion of the piston and the mounting hub of the second member, with the second bearing unit being attached to and interconnecting each of the piston and the second member for the concurrent axial movement relative to the first member while permitting relative rotation between the piston and the second member; and means for axially shifting the piston relative to the first member to cause selective engagement between the first and second engagement surfaces when the piston is axially shifted to selectively interconnect the first and second members.