System and method for hydraulic transformer clutches

Abstract

A hydraulic transformer clutch employs radial hydraulic piston assemblies with integrated electrohydraulic actuation. The hydraulic transformer clutch includes: an output shaft, an output disc affixed to the output shaft for rotation therewith, an input shaft, a rotatable housing affixed to one of the input shaft or the output shaft for rotation therewith, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, and a plurality of working pistons. The hydraulic cylinders are operatively connected to the rotatable housing, and are spaced about the rotatable housing. Each working piston is slidably mounted within a corresponding hydraulic cylinder of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, and is positioned to be selectively pushed, when actuated, to create a rigid connection between the input shaft and the output shaft. One or more actuator pistons are pushed by an electromagnet and create pressure that is distributed on working piston surfaces and generates active torque.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A hydraulic transformer clutch system employing axial hydraulic piston assemblies with integrated electrohydraulic actuation, the hydraulic transformer clutch system comprising:
 an output shaft;   an output disc affixed to the output shaft for rotation therewith;   an input shaft;   a rotatable housing affixed to the input shaft for rotation therewith;   a plurality of hydraulic cylinders operatively connected to the rotatable housing, the hydraulic cylinders positioned in an axial configuration and spaced about the rotatable housing;   a plurality of working pistons, each working piston of the plurality of working pistons being slidably mounted within a corresponding hydraulic cylinder of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, each working piston of the plurality of working pistons positioned to be selectively pushed, when actuated, towards the output disc and to create a rigid connection between the input shaft and the output shaft; and   at least one actuation piston that is urged by a solenoid plate that includes an electromagnet solenoid, wherein when an electric current passes the electromagnet solenoid, a generated electromagnetic force pushes the solenoid plate towards a coupling housing, and wherein the at least one actuation piston generates, via displaced volume, a pressure increase inside a working space associated with the plurality of working pistons.   
     
     
         11 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 10 , further comprising: roller engagement elements located outwardly of the working pistons, wherein the hydraulic fluid urges the roller engagement elements into engagement with the input ring, the engagement of the roller engagement elements with the input ring causing the output body to move in unison with the input ring. 
     
     
         12 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 11 , wherein the roller engagement elements are cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 10 , wherein the output body arms are angularly disposed with respect to one another at substantially equal angles. 
     
     
         14 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 10 , wherein at least two hydraulic cylinders and associated working pistons of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders and associated working pistons are disposed at a radially outward end of each of the output body arms. 
     
     
         15 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 10 , further comprising: a gear ring extending radially outwardly from the input ring for selective engagement with an electric motor/generator. 
     
     
         16 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 10 , further comprising: a hydraulic system operatively associated with the hydraulic cylinders and working pistons, wherein the hydraulic system enables actuation and de-actuation of the working pistons in the hydraulic cylinders, wherein the actuation of the working pistons in the hydraulic cylinders couples the input shaft to the output body and the de-actuation of the working pistons in the hydraulic cylinders decouples the input shaft from the output body. 
     
     
         17 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 10 , further comprising: a hydraulic variable displacement pump that is operatively associated with each hydraulic cylinder and associated piston. 
     
     
         18 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 17 , further comprising directional control valves that use the hydraulic fluid to selectively urge each piston to be pushed towards the output body when actuated. 
     
     
         19 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 18 , further comprising a hydraulic accumulator that is operatively associated with the hydraulic variable displacement pump and the directional control valves, wherein the hydraulic accumulator provides intermediate control of the hydraulic transformer clutch system by damping oscillations in the hydraulic transformer clutch system during actuation. 
     
     
         20 . The hydraulic transformer clutch system of  claim 10 , wherein the hydraulic transformer clutch system is incorporated into an automotive transmission.