Abstract: A single revolution clutch with an auto-home feature. This feature, added to the single revolution clutch, provides a mechanical home position stop. It utilizes the motion of the case to accomplish this. Whenever the clutch is energized, the case is pulled in, or the 1 mm gap is closed. The control ring has an additional single home detent on the opposite side to the one or more detents normally found on the single revolution clutch. The case has a tab feature, which can be punched out of the case itself, or can be tacked on as an additional piece of metal or plastic. This tab feature, seen as an "L" shape from the side, will move with the case. When the case is energized and closes its 1 mm gap, the normal detents on both the control ring and the case, spin free of each other. However, the "L" tab now moves closer to the single home tab on the other side of the control ring, and locks the control ring within one revolution of rotation or less.

Abstract: A friction pad for use in a friction element used in a friction engagement device such as a brake or clutch, The friction element includes a carrier and a plurality of friction pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier, The pads may have a modular construction whereby pad portions are releasably secured to support portions. The pads may also be releasably secured to the carrier. Various friction pad constructions are contemplated including constructions in which the secondary support portion includes a membrane and the primary support portion includes a cylindrical member extending between the membrane and the friction pads. A continuous friction pad ring may be substituted for the discrete friction pads, The carrier may be provided with locator pins in the pad receiving bores to orient the pads properly. The carrier may have cuts and grooves formed therein to provide a flexible or even beam mounted support for the friction pads.

Abstract: A brake friction pad assembly is provided with a metallic backing plate element, a friction pad element having a mating surface, an air-dried and thermally cured elastomeric adhesive material film joined in cure-bonded relation to the mating surface of the friction pad element, and mechanical fasteners joining the friction pad element and adhered elastomeric adhesive material film to the backing plate element with the elastomeric adhesive material film in an intermediate position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly for an automotive air conditioning compressor is designed so that the return force, as a function of axial displacement, is better matched to the performance requirements of the system. A steel armature, which is pulled toward and into driving contact with a pulley friction disk, moves over a predetermined axial stroke comparable to the nominal axial gap between the armature and disk, plus an allowance for armature wear with time. The armature is attached to the shaft by a stamped stainless steel diaphragm which, in its free state, is concave or dished. When the energized compressor coil pulls the armature toward the disk, the diaphragm is mechanically flattened, as compared to a spring being stretched. The return force of the disk, as opposed to the return force of a stretched spring, is relatively small and flat over the desired axial stroke.

Abstract: A clutch comprises a reaction plate, a cover plate, a pressure plate, at least two friction discs arranged between the pressure and reaction plates, and at least two intermediate discs. The friction discs are arranged alternately with the intermediate discs. The latter are coupled for rotation with the reaction plate by virtue of at least one intermediate driving member. The intermediate discs carry a first part of a coupling of the tenon and mortice type, while the intermediate member carries the second part of the same coupling. The first part of the coupling comprises at least two elements, at least one of which defines an axis of symmetry which is not coincident with the center of rotation of the associated intermediate disc.

Abstract: A clutch includes a reaction plate, a cover plate, a pressure plate, and, disposed between the pressure and reaction plates, at least two friction discs and at least two intermediate discs. The intermediate driving member has at least one thrust surface facing towards the reaction plate, with the intermediate disc adjacent to the reaction plate having a reaction surface associated with the thrust surface for cooperation with the latter so as to locate the intermediate disc axially.

Abstract: The present invention is a clutch assembly used to engage a shaft. It includes a pulley adapted to be driven by a belt, pressure plates disposed on both sides of the pulley for engaging and rotating with the pulley, friction surfaces for selectively coupling the pulley to the pressure plates, and a cam mechanism coupled to the pressure plates for axially pressing one pressure plate into the friction surfaces to engage the pulley. The cam mechanism comprises a rotatable center cam plate bordered by an upper and a lower cam plate, with a plurality of balls disposed between each adjacent plate for axially moving the center cam plate when it rotates. The center cam plate presses the pressure plate by virtue of its axial movement into engagement with the pulley.

Abstract: The diaphragm spring of a clutch is connected in traction to the release bearing thereof by means of a gripping device comprising a collar held against the diaphragm spring by means of an annular resilient washer. By virtue of the contorted cross-sectional shape of the washer it provides the necessary elastic action whilst allowing a reduction in bulk.

Abstract: A friction band comprising an arcuate band or strap made of a filament-reinforced plastic material. The plastic material is preferably a thermosetting epoxy which provides a matrix in which are embedded or encapsulated a plurality of long-strand continuous filaments of glass or the like. The band is lined with a friction lining, and is reinforced by a fibrous bleeder cloth between the band and the friction lining. A special fixture applies tension to the band assembly to hold the filaments in tension during the curing of the plastic material forming the matrix of the band.

Abstract: A compactly sized spring-applied electromagnetically released radial face friction brake, with a ball-pocket torque booster producing increased torque capacity is disclosed. The friction brake is released by energization of an electromagnetic coil attracting an axially movable armature, which nullifies the spring operator force to release the brake. The friction brake includes a driving hub having a plurality of bosses which engage a plurality of slots in a rotatable member to be braked. Thus, the driving force from the hub is distributed to the rotatable member so that both brittle and nonbrittle friction materials can be used to form the rotatable member. In addition, a collar is provided to limit the axial movement between the armature and the stationary ferromagnetic housing which contains the electromagnetic coil therein. Thus, as the friction surface on the rotatable member wears away, the magnetic air gap cannot become so great as to prevent brake disengagement.

Abstract: The specification discloses a clutch assembly made up of a sleeve and a hub supported on each other for free rotation and being suitable for connecting a drive member to a driven member. The hub and sleeve have friction discs attached to them and the friction discs engage a pressure ring. A supply of oil under pressure is connected to the cavity that receives the clutch plate and when oil is admitted to the friction ring cavity it first fills this cavity then spills over into a cavity containing an actuating piston connected to the pressure ring where the oil forces the actuating piston together with the pressure ring into engagement with the clutch plates thereby forcing them into frictional engagement with each other. A reaction force against the clutch plate is provided by a pressure and adjusting ring from which a reaction force is transmitted to the clutch plate through a Belleville spring. By means of the adjusting ring, the pressure at which the clutch plates will slip can be adjusted.