DONALD EUGENE FORTON
Pilots at Big Hand Rd, Columbus Township, MI
License number
Michigan A0612175
Issued Date
Aug 2015
Expiration Date
Aug 2017
Category
Airmen
Type
Authorized Aircraft Instructor
Address
Address
7809 Big Hand Rd, Columbus Township, MI 48063
Professional information
Self-Adjusting Clutches For Automotive Vehicles
US Patent:
7172061, Feb 6, 2007
Filed:
Aug 25, 2004
Appl. No.:
10/926177
Inventors:
William L. Cousins - Columbiaville MI, US
Charles M. Tomlinson - Southfield MI, US
Donald Eugene Forton - Columbus MI, US
Ronald G. Mattise - Davisburg MI, US
Richard D. Nixon - Davisburg MI, US
Charles M. Tomlinson - Southfield MI, US
Donald Eugene Forton - Columbus MI, US
Ronald G. Mattise - Davisburg MI, US
Richard D. Nixon - Davisburg MI, US
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:
F16D 13/75
US Classification:
192 7025, 192111 A, 745015 H
Abstract:
Self-adjusting clutches for automotive vehicles include a hydraulic cylinder as part of a clutch linkage connecting a clutch foot pedal to a clutch plate biased by a clutch spring to urge a friction disk into engagement with a flywheel of an engine. The hydraulic cylinder has a housing with a stop thereon that engages a bracket fixed to the vehicle when the clutch is engaged under the bias of the clutch spring. A piston within the housing is connected through a linkage in the form of a cable or rod assembly to the clutch. As the clutch wears, the piston is pulled toward the clutch for elongating the hydraulic cylinder to compensate for clutch wear by adjusting the length of the clutch linkage. A valve within the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the clutch pedal and is closed upon pressing the clutch pedal to retain the elongated length of the hydraulic cylinder and thus the adjusted length of the clutch linkage while the clutch is disengaged.