英文翻译原文.docx

1、英文翻译原文CLUTCH ASSEMBLY COVER, METHOD OF MAKING SAME, AND OPTIONAL HEAT MANAGEMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 0001 This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of aprovisional application Ser. No. 61/436,433 filed Jan. 26, 2011, which application is hereby incorporated by reference

2、 in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION0002The present invention is generally related to a clutch assembly. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an improved clutch assembly cover and a method of making the cover, as well as an optional heat management feature that can be

3、included with the cover.RACKGROIJND OF THE INVENTION0003 As is well known, clutches for vehicles operate to selectively couple and decouple an engine to a transmission for the purpose of starting the vehicle movement while the engine is in gear, bringing the vehicle to a stop while the engine is run

4、ning, changing gears while the vehicle is in motion and putting the vehicle in motion from a dead stop. Conventional clutches include a cover assembly having an annular cover or housing and an annular pressure plate connected to the cover for conjoint rotation with the cover. The cover is fixedly at

5、tached to a flywheel driven by the vehicle engine, so that the pressure plate is located between the cover and the flywheel. Attachment of the cover to the flywheel is by a plurality of bolts, which space the cover and pressure plate from the flywheel. 0004A drive shaft is received through the cover

6、 assembly and flywheel free of fixed connection to any of these so that absent action of the clutch, the drive shaft and flywheel rotate independently of each other. The drive shaft is splined and one or more clutch friction discs are mounted on the splines for conjoint rotation with the drive shaft

7、, while being free to slide longitudinally on the drive shaft. The clutch friction discs are positioned between the pressure plate and the fly- wheel. Heat shields are disposed between the pressure plate and nearest friction disc, and also between the flywheel and nearest friction disc. Floater plat

8、es are disposed between adjacent friction discs. 0005 Springs between the cover and pressure plate force a ring away from the cover to clamp the friction discs against the flywheel. The clamping action mates the drive shaft and flywheel for conjoint rotation so that the drive shaft is driven by the

9、engine. However, some relative rotation or sliding between the friction discs and flywheel desirably occurs before there is conjoint rotation to reduce the impact loads on the engine and drive shaft as well as to make the motion of the vehicle smoother. 0006The clutch is released to permit independe

10、nt rotation of the flywheel and drive shaft by a mechanical linkage. Levers pivotally mounted on the cover are connected to pins fixedly attached to the pressure plate. The levers may be engaged by a release member of the mechanical linkage to pull the pressure plate toward the cover against the for

11、ce of the springs to release the clutch. 0007The cover protects the clutch and flywheel from being obstructed by foreign elements. The cover also provides a barrier to access within the clutch assembly to prevent accidental contact with the fast-spinning parts within the clutch assembly. A typical c

12、lutch cover is stamped or cast metal. The shapes can vary depending on a number of factors including type and manufacturer of clutch. 0008 However, casting and stamping requires the use of an expensive mold, and a new mold is required for each type or style of cover. One type or style of cast or sta

13、mped cover only fits one type or brand of motor or car, and is not transferrable between different automobiles or engines. Multiple molds increase costs greatly. In addition, special strengthening methods must be incorporated, such as having a greater thickness of metal, more metal material, special

14、 structural features, or the like. The strengthening is due to casting or stamping and the stresses experienced by the cover. The strengthening methods can add weight, increase the size, and otherwise be antagonistic to efficiency and economy of manufacturing the cover, use of space on the automobil

15、e, and operation of the automobile. 0009It is therefore a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that improves over the deficiencies in the art. 0010 It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an

16、improved clutch cover and method of making the same that is lighter in weight than prior art clutch covers. 0011 It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved clutch cover and method of making the same that has a smaller profile from the plane of a m

17、ounting flange to the plane at the opposite side of the cover. 0012 It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved clutch cover and method of making the same that occupies less space to be able to fit more clutch lining layers on the clutch disc to be

18、tter handle higher horsepower engines. 0013 It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an improved clutch cover and method of making the same that is less expensive than a die cast stamp, mold, or form. 0014 It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of

19、the present invention to provide an improved clutch cover and method of making the same that includes an optional heat management feature that can deter damage or deterioration of the clutch plates due to increased heat. 0015These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventi

20、on will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION0016 According to one aspect of the present invention, a

21、 clutch cover for connecting a clutch assembly to a flywheel of an engine is provided. The clutch cover includes a bowl- shaped member having an axis, a wide end, a narrow end, and an aperture through the narrow end along the axis. The bowl- shaped member is formed by deforming a spinning sheet of m

22、etal. A flange extends about the wide end of the bowl- shaped member. A rim is formed at the narrow end of the bowl-shaped member adjacent the aperture. A pattern of holes is machined in the flange and the rim, with the pattern of holes determined by the type of engine used. A plurality of apertures

23、 is formed through the bowl-shaped member and is configured to house release levers of a pressure plate assembly. 0017 According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a universal clutch cover for use with a clutch assembly used with virtually any make of vehicle engine is p

24、rovided. The method includes determining the make of the vehicle engine. A force is applied normal to a spinning sheet of metal having an aperture therethrough to forma generally bowl-shaped member with a flange at a wide end and a rim at a narrow end of the bowl-shaped member. A pattern of holes is

25、 machined in the flange of the bowl-shaped member, with the pattern of holes corresponding to the make of the vehicle engine. A plurality of apertures is machined through the bowl-shaped member between the flange and the rim. 0018 According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of

26、 forming a clutch cover for a clutch assembly of an engine is provided. The method includes forming a hole in a sheet of metal. The sheet of metal is spun on a spin-casting machine about the central axis of the hole. A force is applied normal to the sheet of metal starting at a predetermined distanc

27、e from the edge of the hole to form a bowl-shaped member having a rim adjacent a narrow end and a flange adjacent a wide end, with the rim and flange being generally perpendicular to the axis of the hole. A pattern of flange holes is machined in the flange, wherein the pattern of flange holes are co

28、nfigured to operably attach the clutch assembly to the engine. A plurality of apertures is cut in the bowl-shaped member, the apertures adapted to house release levers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS0019 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of components of a vehicle engine, including an engine block, flyw

29、heel, clutch assembly, and bell housing. 0020 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clutch assembly used in vehicles. 0021 FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the clutch assembly of FIG. 2. 0022 FIG.4 is a perspective view of a clutch cover according to the present invention. 0023 FIG. 5 is a bottom view of t

30、he clutch cover of FIG. 4. 0024 FIG. 6 is a side view of the clutch cover of FIG. 4. 0025 FIG. 7A shows a method of forming the clutch cover by use of an internal spin forming machine. 0026 FIG.7Bshows a method of forming the clutch cover by use of an external spin forming machine. 0027 FIG. 8 shows

31、 the steps of a process of forming the clutch cover according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS0028 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of components of a vehicle engine, including an engine block 30, a flywheel 32, a clutch disc 28, a clutch assembly 10, and a bell

32、housing 31. The flywheel 32 is connected to the engine 30 and the clutch assembly 10 is connected to the flywheel 32 with the clutch disc 28 therebetween. As is known in the art, the clutch assembly 10 works with the clutch disc 28 to selectively press the clutch disc 28 against the flywheel 32 in order to power a vehicle. Furthermore, the flywheel 32, clutch disc 28 and clutch assembly 10 are confined within the bell housing 31, which is attached to the engine 30. Therefore, it should be understood that the clutch assembly 10 ideally has a low height in order to tak