Patent ID: 6766891
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: F16D,F16H

Abstract:
An automatic gearbox for transferring power between an engine and a rotational output, the automatic gearbox comprising:a torque input member; a torque output member; a reactive member in communication with the torque input member and the torque output member; a binary clutch for automatically switching the reactive member between a first mode coupling to a rotational reference and a second mode coupling to one of the torque input member and the torque output member, the binary clutch comprising a first clutch for coupling the reactive member to said one torque member, and a one-way clutch for progressively coupling and uncoupling the reactive member to and from the rotational reference when switching between the first and second mode, and wherein the first clutch includes a first clutch actuator, and the one-way clutch comprises a spiral-type one-way clutch, the spiral-type one-way clutch including a tubular clutch body, a tubular slipper disposed coaxial to the clutch body, a spiral channel disposed between the clutch body and the slipper and including a plurality of roller elements disposed therein, and a slipper actuator in communication with the slipper and the first clutch actuator for progressively radially moving the slipper relative to the clutch body in response to a position of the first clutch actuator.