A hybrid drive including a first drive motor coupled by a clutch to a shaft, and a second drive motor coupled rigidly to the shaft. A method for determining the temperature of the clutch in the hybrid drive includes the steps of: determining a temperature of the clutch; determining a temperature of the clutch housing; determining the temperature difference between the clutch and the clutch housing; determining the heat conductivity between the clutch and the clutch housing, wherein the heat conductivity is determined as a function of the rotational speed of the first drive motor and the rotational speed of the second drive motor; determining the heat flow between the clutch and the clutch housing on the basis of the product of the heat conductivity and the temperature difference; and adjusting the ascertained clutch temperature on the basis of the ascertained heat flow.

A clutch assembly, a torque converter clutch assembly, and a brake assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The clutch assembly and the brake assembly may have at least one reaction plate comprising an internal cavity containing a phase change material. The torque converter clutch assembly may have a front cover plate comprising an internal cavity containing a phase change material. The phase change material may be capable of absorbing at least some friction-induced heat generated at a friction interface of the reaction plate or front cover plate when the clutch assembly, the torque converter assembly, or the torque converter assembly is shifted to a closed position, such as when the clutch is activated or when the brakes are applied.

In an Oldham coupling, a first protruding part, protruding in a coaxial direction parallel to and extending in a first direction, is provided in one of first and second members, and the other of the first and second members includes a first notch part fitted to the first protruding part and slidable in the first direction along the first protruding part. A second notch part, extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, is formed in one of second and third members, and the other of the second and third members includes a second protruding part fitted to the second notch part and slidable in the second direction along the second notch part. At least one of the first, second, and the third members has a heat dissipating structure including mutually separated concentric hollow cylinders of different diameters, connected by a bridge part.

The present disclosure relates to a duct valve for a clutch assembly of an off-road vehicle. The duct valve is configured to be coupled to a housing of the clutch assembly. The duct valve comprises a first duct attached to the housing and a first valve cage attached to the first duct. The first valve cage is configured to hold a first floatable element therewithin. The first floatable element is configured to have a first buoyancy and is configured to displace towards a first air opening of the first duct corresponding to a level of a liquid to seal the first air opening.

A clutch and/or brake module has a heat sink which is attached to a transmission housing for the purpose of discharging heat. The brake module further has a brake disc, which is connected to a rotational member formed by a shaft (schematically indicated by a center line). The brake disc is provided on one side with a lining and faces with this side towards the heat sink. The brake is a dry brake and is not lubricated. The brake module further has an actuation system (cylinder with piston movable therein, schematically indicated by an arrow) which can exert an axial pressing force directly on the brake disc. The brake disc is located axially between the heat sink and the actuation system. The cooling plate is secured to a transmission housing, a part of which is schematically shown.

A flywheel for use in an automobile between an engine and a clutch assembly is provided. The flywheel is a circular member having an engine side and an opposite clutch side. An aperture is formed in the circular member having an axis, and the aperture is used to operatively attach the flywheel to the engine. A plurality of clutch fins and/or grooves are formed on the clutch side adjacent the outer edge of the circular member and spaced radially about the axis of the aperture of the flywheel. The clutch fins have a face that is generally coplanar with the clutch side of the circular member. The fins and grooves work to cool the internal components of the engine. Optionally, a second set of grooves and fins may be formed on the engine side of the flywheel to further aid in cooling the clutch disc and other engine components.

A flywheel for use in an automobile between an engine and a clutch assembly is provided. The flywheel is a circular member having an engine side and an opposite clutch side. An aperture is formed in the circular member having an axis, and the aperture is used to operatively attach the flywheel to the engine. A plurality of clutch fins and/or grooves are formed on the clutch side adjacent the outer edge of the circular member and spaced radially about the axis of the aperture of the flywheel. The clutch fins have a face that is generally coplanar with the clutch side of the circular member. The fins and grooves work to cool the internal components of the engine. Optionally, a second set of grooves and fins may be formed on the engine side of the flywheel to further aid in cooling the clutch disc and other engine components.

A device that employs shear forces to transmit energy includes an outer housing assembly, a disk, and a reservoir with a working fluid. The disk is received in and rotatable relative to the outer housing assembly. A working cavity is formed between a rotor portion of the disk and the outer housing assembly into which the working fluid is received to create shear forces. A plurality of flow altering structures are disposed on the outer housing assembly and are configured to reduce a thickness of a boundary layer of the working fluid in the working cavity in areas that are local to the flow altering structures.

A drive system for an apparatus separating hot particles being received by a moving surface includes a drive shaft for driving the moving surface receiving the hot particles, a drive unit for rotating the drive shaft, and a flexible coupling arranged between the drive shaft and the drive unit. The flexible coupling includes thin portions defining a portion of a heat transfer path from the drive shaft to the drive unit. The thin portions have large surface area to volume ratios for extending the heat transfer path. The thin portions dissipate heat when the flexible coupling is driven by the drive unit. A method for dissipating heat from a drive system for an apparatus for separating hot particles includes providing a flexible coupling and dissipating heat from the flexible coupling.

A hybrid drive including a first drive motor coupled by a clutch to a shaft, and a second drive motor coupled rigidly to the shaft. A method for determining the temperature of the clutch in the hybrid drive includes the steps of: determining a temperature of the clutch; determining a temperature of the clutch housing; determining the temperature difference between the clutch and the clutch housing; determining the heat conductivity between the clutch and the clutch housing, wherein the heat conductivity is determined as a function of the rotational speed of the first drive motor and the rotational speed of the second drive motor; determining the heat flow between the clutch and the clutch housing on the basis of the product of the heat conductivity and the temperature difference; and adjusting the ascertained clutch temperature on the basis of the ascertained heat flow.