Patent ID: 6155947
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A geared differential mechanism for delivering torque from a driving member to each of two driven members;a first side gear connected drivably to one driven member and a second side gear connected to the other driven member;planetary pinions engaging drivably each side gear;a differential carrier housing enclosing the side gears and the planetary pinions;a pair of friction disk clutch packs, each having a first disk secured drivably to the carrier housing and a second disk secured drivably to one of the side gears;a pair of pressure rings in the carrier housing surrounding the side gears, a cam recess in the pressure rings defining ramp surfaces, the planetary pinions being disposed axially adjacent the ramp surfaces;axial thrust forces acting on the side gears being transferred through the pressure rings to the clutch packs thereby creating a torque-sensitive bias in the differential mechanism;a positive displacement pump comprising a driving pump member connected drivably to one driven member and a driven pump member connected drivably to the carrier housing;a silicone fluid reservoir formed in said carrier housing, the reservoir being filled with silicone fluid;a fluid supply port in the carrier housing establishing communication between the fluid reservoir and the inlet port;a one-way flow control valve in the fluid supply port;a pump fluid inlet port and a pump fluid outlet port, a fluid delivery passage connecting the inlet and outlet ports whereby pumped fluid recirculates through the pump as the carrier housing and the one driven member rotate relative to each other, whereby a speed-sensitive bias is established in the differential mechanism, the total torque bias being the sum of said torque-sensitive bias and said speed-sensitive bias.