Patent ID: 6116399
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
A friction clutch for a drive train of a motor vehicle, said friction clutch comprising:at least one clutch disc;said at least one clutch disc defining an axis of rotation and an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation;at least one pressure plate;said at least one pressure plate being disposed adjacent to said at least one clutch disc;said at least one pressure plate being configured and disposed to move in the axial direction;said at least one pressure plate being disposed to engage said at least one clutch disc to apply a force to said at least one clutch disc;a housing;said housing being disposed about said at least one clutch disc and said at least one pressure plate to enclose said at least one clutch disc and said at least one pressure plate;said housing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;at least a portion of said inner surface of said housing being disposed adjacent to said at least one clutch disc and said at least one pressure plate;said outer surface of said housing being disposed opposite to said inner surface of said housing;an operating arrangement being configured and disposed to move said at least one pressure plate to engage and disengage said at least one pressure plate with said at least one clutch disc;said operating arrangement comprising a cylinder arrangement;said cylinder arrangement being disposed adjacent to said inner surface of said housing;said cylinder arrangement being configured to contain a fluid;said cylinder arrangement being configured to move said at least one pressure plate in -response to flow of fluid into and out of said cylinder arrangement;said operating arrangement comprising a valve apparatus;said valve apparatus being configured to control flow of fluid into and out of said cylinder arrangement to control movement of said at least one pressure plate by said cylinder arrangement;said valve apparatus being detachably connected to said cylinder arrangement;a portion of said valve apparatus extending within said housing;a portion of said valve apparatus extending outside said housing;said valve apparatus comprising an arrangement to permit removal of said valve apparatus from said housing;said arrangement to permit removal of said valve apparatus being disposed to be accessible from said outer surface of said housing to permit removal of said valve apparatus from said outer surface of said housing upon said friction clutch being connected to a combustion engine and a motor vehicle transmission;said friction clutch comprising a fluid reservoir;said valve apparatus having a first operating position to connect said fluid reservoir to said cylinder arrangement to to permit flow of fluid from sadi fluid reservoir to said cylinder arrangement;said valve apparatus comprising an opening disposed therein to permit fluid exit said valve apparatus;said valve apparatus having a second operating position to connect said opening in said valve apparatus to said cylinder arrangement to permit flow of fluid from said cylinder arrangement to said opening;said valve appparatus being configured to switch between said first operating position and said second operating position in response to a difference value; andthe difference value being determined from an actual position of said operating arrangement and a predetermined position of said operating arrangement.