Patent GB-190701711-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Hydraulic Clutches, and Brakes adapted for use as a Variable Speed Device, especially suitable for Motor Vehicles.
Inventor: WATSON WILLIAM
Filed: 1907-01-23
Granted: 1908-01-23
Abstract: 1711. Watson, W. Jan. 23. Hydraulic transmission of power.-An hydraulic clutch for motor-cars, capable of acting as a clutch, variable-speed gear, brake, and spragging-device, comprises three concentric elements : a central driving-element, a driven element, and a fixed outer casing. The central driving element a is provided with a sleeve b which has three sliding keys d contacting with projections e, Figs. 3 and 4. Three blades g are operated by projections f on the sleeve b and by springs h. Fixed to the keys d is a collar k which is actuated by mechanisms m, n. For declutching, the rod n is pushed inwards, the sleeve b is thereby rotated, and the pieces f withdraw the blades g into the slots in the driving- member. The driven member consists of an annular casting o in which slide two blades q. Through the casting pass the pressure passages s and exhaust ports t in connexion with the annular space u between the driven and driving members. Around the member o is a fixed casing v within which are three sliding blocks w guided by pieces x. Each pair of guides is arranged so that the sliding pieces q are easily forced in when the rotation is in the direction of the arrow, but a spragging action occurs with oppositely-directed rotation. The casing forms chambers 3, 4 on each side of the members a, o, the chamber 3 communicating. with the ports t and the chamber 4 with the entry ports 5. Between the chambers are two perforated rings 6, 7, the relative positions of which can be suitably altered to 'brake' the flow of the liquid. The valves for controlling the blocks ware shown as sectional views in Fig. 1 at the positions A B, C D in Fig. 2. At the part z of the guide x, a passage 8 leads to a hole in the guide in which is located a sleeve 9 with an internal spindle 10. The spindle 10 has a diametrical hole 11 and is provided with gear teeth 21. The sleeve 9 is provided with holes and has a pinion 12. A passage 13 communicates with the back of the blocks w; another passage 14 connects the space 2 with a perforated sleeve 15, which is furnished with a pinion 16. Passing through this sleeve 15 is a spindle 22 having an axial hole 17 communicating with the chamber 3. This spindle has a gear-wheel 23 which gears with the wheel 21 on the spindle 10. The racks 18, 19 slide the blocks w an gear with the pinions 12, 16. Each set of valves has a lever 20 attached to the rod 10 for simultaneously actuating them. For ordinary driving, the blades g force the oil or other liquid through the ports s into the annular space 2. The liquid acts on the back of blades q at the same time as the liquid in front of the blades exhausts through the ports t. This exhaust liquid passes by way of the passages 3, 4, 5 back to the inner annular chamber u for the cycle of operations to be repeated. As the space 2 diminishes, the velocity of the driven member increases until it reaches that of the driving- members ; consequently, by moving the blocks w in and out the speed may be changed to any desired extent. To effect a movement of the blocks w, their outer surfaces are put in contact with the pressure water. The lever 20 is actuated so that the passage 11 establishes communication between the spaces 8, 13, thus allowing oil to press against the back of the blocks w. Owing to the motion of the racks 18, 19, the pinions 12, 16 turn the sleeves 9, thereby closing the valve. When the spindle 10 is turned, the spindle 22 is rotated through the pinions 21, 23 so that the passage 17 is put in communication with the passage 14. The liquid under pressure then passes to the passages 3. The liquid at the back of the blocks w is allowed to escape through the passage 17 by suitably operating the spindle 22. Fig. 5 is a section through the rings 6, 7 and the means for altering their relative positions.