US Patent 7070527 Ventilated clutch assembly with reduced-slip sheave surfaces

The invention provides an apparatus and method for cooling a V-belt in a clutch assembly of a CVT. As previously mentioned, the CVT is comprised of a drive clutch assembly, a driven clutch assembly, and an endless V-belt disposed about the drive and driven clutch assemblies. The invention will cool the V-belt as it rides about the drive clutch and driven clutch assemblies. In addition, the invention provides a method for providing a reduced-slip sheave surface for the V-belt in a clutch assembly of a CVT. Normally, as the V-belt rides about the drive and driven clutch assemblies, the V-belt contacts inner surfaces of the clutch assemblies. The invention will reduce belt slippage across the inner surfaces of the clutch assemblies.