Abstract: In a friction plate obtained by adhering a plurality of friction material segments onto a core plate, and axial thickness of each of the friction material segment in areas including adjacent portions between the adjacent friction material segments is thinner than the other portion of the friction material segment.

Abstract: A multiple-disc clutch pack. The clutch pack comprises a plurality of porous metal plates mounted concentrically and each having a first and a second surface with at least one of the surfaces impregnated with a magneto-rheological substance. A plurality of grooves is defined on at least one of the surfaces of at least one of the plates.

Abstract: A wet-type friction clutch plate surely keeps lubricant on a frictional slide face, stabilizes frictional torque transmission, and suppresses shuddering noise.

Abstract: A friction clutch has a plurality of iron inner clutch plates and a plurality of iron outer clutch plates. Both the clutch plates have sliding surfaces which are friction-engaged each other. A thin carbon film in a diamond form, which functions as a solid lubricant, is formed on each of the sliding surfaces of the outer clutch plates by a known method such as the Chemical Vapor Deposition method. A known nitride treatment or quenching and tempering treatment is applied to the sliding surfaces of the inner clutch plates. A coupling device has a pilot clutch mechanism with the friction clutch and an electromagnetic actuator. As a result, the friction clutch is resistant to wear and the coupling device is excellent in durability.

Abstract: Drive system torsional vibration resonance while an engine is idling is prevented. An input clutch pack is connected to a rotating drive plate connected to the engine. The input clutch pack is formed from a drive side comprising an input drum, metal plates, and a retaining plate and from a driven side comprising an input clutch hub and facing plates. When the input clutch pack is disengaged, the inertial mass on the engine side with the engine serving as the vibration source, the coil spring, and the inertial mass on the drive side form a single-degree-of-freedom drive system torsional vibration model. By increasing the thickness in the axial direction of the metal plates, the drive side inertial mass is made to be 50% to 100% of the engine side inertial mass. As a result, drive system torsional vibration resonance during idling is prevented while the weight increase is kept to a minimum.

Abstract: The pressure plate has at least one friction surface region which can be pressed against a friction facing arrangement of a clutch disk or the like, wherein the pressure plate is formed at least partially from a first material, and wherein a second material having thermal contact with the first material is provided in the pressure plate at least in some areas. In order to be able to compensate for negative umbrella deformation of the pressure plate caused by friction heat during operation of the clutch, the second material has a different thermal expansion, particularly a greater thermal expansion, than the first material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multiple-clutch device, such as a double-clutch device, for arranging in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, wherein the clutch device has a first clutch arrangement associated with a first transmission input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arrangement associated with a second transmission input shaft of the transmission for transmitting torque between the drive unit and the transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, it is suggested that plates in a plate stack of a clutch arrangement constructed as a plate clutch arrangement which have at least one friction facing can be brought into frictional engagement with plates having no friction facing, wherein at least one of the plates not having a friction facing is thicker in axial direction than friction facing carrying elements of adjacent plates having at least one friction facing.

Abstract: A clutch (1) with a multiplicity of clutch discs (5, 6) in the form of friction discs (6) and pressure discs (5), arranged between a clutch basket (2) and a clutch hub (3), and with means of positive torque transmission between the clutch discs (5, 6), the clutch basket (2) and with the clutch hub (3), wherein the means of torque transmission between the clutch hub (3) and the pressure discs (5) are provided by movable driver elements (12).

Abstract: Friction clutch plates have a first face exhibiting a surface finish of about Ra 0.5 to 0.9 and a second face having friction material secured thereto. The clutch plates are manufactured by rolling steel to a thickness of about 0.030 inches (0.76 mm) which exhibits a mill finish of about Ra 0.64 to 1.14. The rolled steel is then stamped to form circular clutch plate blanks. One surface is then smoothed, preferably by polishing, so that peaks and sharp points are flattened or removed. The resulting surface finish includes irregular relatively flat and smooth regions interspersed with and separating irregular recesses or pits and exhibits a surface finish of about Ra 0.5 to 0.9. Friction material is then secured to the opposite face of the clutch plates. The clutch plates are used in multiple plate friction clutch packs which are intended for use in dual clutch front and rear axle assemblies and motor vehicle transfer cases.

Abstract: Friction clutch plates have a first face exhibiting a surface finish of about Ra 0.5 to 0.9 and a second face having friction material secured thereto. The clutch plates are manufactured by rolling steel to a thickness of about 0.030 inches (0.76 mm) which exhibits a mill finish of about Ra 0.64 to 1.14. The rolled steel is then stamped to form circular clutch plate blanks. One surface is then smoothed, preferably by polishing, so that peaks and sharp points are flattened or removed. The resulting surface finish includes irregular relatively flat and smooth regions interspersed with and separating irregular recesses or pits and exhibits a surface finish of about Ra 0.5 to 0.9. Friction material is then secured to the opposite face of the clutch plates. The clutch plates are used in multiple plate friction clutch packs which are intended for use in dual clutch front and rear axle assemblies and motor vehicle transfer cases.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement, particularly a torque converter or fluid coupling, includes a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel provided in the housing arrangement, a lockup clutch arrangement by which a torque transmitting connection can be produced selectively between the turbine wheel and the housing arrangement. The lockup clutch arrangement includes at least two friction members which are rotatable with a one of the housing arrangement and turbine wheel, at least one counter-friction member which is interposed between two friction members and is rotatable with the other of the housing arrangement and turbine wheel and can be brought into contact with friction surface regions of the friction members in friction surface regions of the counter-friction member. The counter-friction member has a substantially ring-shaped counter-friction member body having an outer radius (Ra) in a ratio of 1.1:1 to 1.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement, particularly a torque converter or fluid coupling, includes a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel provided in the housing arrangement, and a lockup clutch arrangement by which a torque transmitting connection can be produced selectively between the turbine wheel and the housing arrangement. The lockup clutch arrangement includes .at least two friction members which are rotatable with one of the housing arrangement and turbine wheel, and at least one counter-friction member which is interposed between the two friction members and is rotatable with the other of the housing arrangement and turbine wheel. A first friction facing on at least one of the friction members at its first side faces the at least one counter-friction member. This at least one of the friction members can be brought into frictional interaction, via a second friction facing, with another counter-friction member on its second side located opposite to the first side.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a carbon/carbon clutch comprising a hub, a first clutch plate, and retaining means or locator releasably attachable to the first clutch plate thereby axially to define the position of the first clutch plate with respect to the hub.

Abstract: A selectively engageable torque transmitting mechanism has an apply piston, a plurality of first friction plates, a plurality of second friction plates, and a backing plate. The first friction plates are drivingly connected with one transmission member and the second friction plates are drivingly connected with another transmission member and alternately spaced with the first friction members. The friction plates are generally annular members having axial faces that are magnetized with opposite polarities. The magnetized faces of the first friction plates are disposed adjacent like polarity faces of the second friction plates to enforce separation thereof when the torque transmitting mechanism is in a disengaged state. The apply piston of the torque transmitting mechanism also has an annular face with a magnetic polarity disposed in opposition to an oppositely polarized surface on an adjacent member of the torque transmitting mechanism.

Abstract: A pressure plate for a motor vehicle includes an annular disc having a first frictional engagement surface. The first frictional engagement surface has an annular initial engagement region substantially normal to the axis of rotation, and a secondary engagement region disposed radially inwardly of the initial engagement region defining a concave surface within the pressure plate.

Abstract: A position is added to the drag lever travel in a lever drag reel; which position is called the “strip” drag position; and which is positioned just above the free spool position. At this position, an additional detent is added, splitting the original steep cam rise into two sections to provide a light drag setting before achieving free spool; thus preventing the operator from accidentally placing the drag lever into a free spool condition.

Abstract: The friction materials interposed between the respective externally toothed discs 31, 32, 33 and the respective internally toothed discs 41, 42, 43 which are located contiguously to one sides of the respective externally toothed discs 31, 32, 33 in an axial direction are each divided into a radially outer half portion 9a and a radially inner half portion 9b. The half portion 9b is attached to a thin recessed surface portion 3c formed on a radially inner side of the one side of each of the externally toothed portions 31, 32, 33 in the axial direction. However, the half portion 9a is attached to a thin recessed surface portion 4c formed on a radially outer side of the other side of each of the respective internally toothed discs 41, 42, 43 in the axial direction.

Abstract: In a friction plate obtained by adhering a plurality of friction material segments onto a core plate, and axial thickness of each of the friction material segment in areas including adjacent portions between the adjacent friction material segments is thinner than the other portion of the friction material segment.

Abstract: A wet multiplate clutch is construction of plural friction plates and plural separator plates, which are alternately arranged. Between each two friction plates arranged adjacent to each other, plural separator plates are disposed.

Abstract: A friction member is made up of a back plate, a non-asbestos friction material bonded to a surface of the back plate and produced by molding and curing a non-asbestos friction material composition, and a metal phosphate conversion coating formed between the back plate and the non-asbestos friction material. When new, the friction member has a breaking load, measured according to JIS D4422, of at least 9 MPa, and a percent bonded surface area, which is the ratio of the surface area of friction material attached to the back plate surface after shear to the surface area of friction material attached to the plate surface before shear, of at least 90%. Such friction members are highly resistant to rusting, have excellent adhesion and heat resistance, and can be produced with minimal sludge formation and easy process control.

Abstract: Drive system torsional vibration resonance while an engine is idling is prevented. An input clutch pack is connected to a rotating drive plate connected to the engine. The input clutch pack is formed from a drive side comprising an input drum, metal plates, and a retaining plate and from a driven side comprising an input clutch hub and facing plates. When the input clutch pack is disengaged, the inertial mass on the engine side with the engine serving as the vibration source, the coil spring, and the inertial mass on the drive side form a single-degree-of-freedom drive system torsional vibration model. By increasing the thickness in the axial direction of the metal plates, the drive side inertial mass is made to be 50% to 100% of the engine side inertial mass. As a result, drive system torsional vibration resonance during idling is prevented while the weight increase is kept to a minimum.

Abstract: A segmented friction member for use in a clutch assembly. The friction member is circular and constructed from a paper-like friction layer. An oil groove extends completely through each friction member segment defining inner and outer segments joined by first and second bridges positioned adjacent the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, respectively.

Abstract: A friction clutch comprising a flywheel having a rotational axis; a housing assembly which can be fixed to the flywheel for rotation in common about the rotational axis; a pressure plate mounted in the housing assembly so that it is free to move in the axial direction but is essentially unable to rotate relative to the housing; an energy storing device for loading the pressure plate toward the flywheel; a clutch disk assembly with an area located between the pressure plate and the flywheel, and an intermediate friction lining element assembly to transmit torque. The friction lining element assembly includes at least one friction lining element on the flywheel and/or at least one such element on the pressure plate.

Abstract: The pressure plate has at least one friction surface region which can be pressed against a friction facing arrangement of a clutch disk or the like, wherein the pressure plate is formed at least partially from a first material, and wherein a second material having thermal contact with the first material is provided in the pressure plate at least in some areas. In order to be able to compensate for negative umbrella deformation of the pressure plate caused by friction heat during operation of the clutch, the second material has a different thermal expansion, particularly a greater thermal expansion, than the first material.

Abstract: A multi-disk friction device includes a drive member having a plurality of drive disks supported for rotation with the drive member and a driven member having a plurality of driven disks supported for rotation with the driven member. The drive and driven disks are interleaved relative to each other such that each drive disk is adjacent to a driven disk and moveable toward and away from one another for providing selective frictional engagement therebetween and to transmit torque between the drive and driven members. Each of the drive and driven disks include a working face which is disposed for frictional engagement with the working face of an adjacent one of the disks. At least one of the working faces on an adjacent one of the disks includes a plurality of micro-pockets formed thereon. The micro-pockets act to store lubricating agents on the working faces.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a textured separator plate having specific desirable surface characteristics and method of manufacture of said plate. The separator plate in one embodiment is fashioned from steel which is textured by cold working, for example, by a laser-matte rolling process. Preferably, the surface texture is a repeatable bi-dimensional pattern exhibiting a surface profile which is plateau-like in appearance, the texture comprising a regular pattern of curvilinear recesses defining island-like features.

Abstract: A multiplate lockup clutch for use in fluid, principally in a torque converter is provided with a multiplicity of friction plates. Each of the friction plates is provided on a friction surface thereof with at least one combined groove, preferably, a plurality of combined grooves. Each combined groove consists of a first groove and a second groove. The first groove extends from an inner circumferential edge to an outer circumferential edge of the friction plate and communicates an inner circumference and an outer circumference of the friction plate with each other. The second groove intersects the first groove and extends in a circumferential direction of the friction plate. As an alternative, a multiplate lockup clutch useful in fluid, primarily in a torque converter is provided with a multiplicity of friction plates, and each of the friction plates is shaped in a waveform as viewed in a circumferential direction thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a brake rotor. The rotor includes a radially inner mounting section with a central mounting face for attaching the rotor to a wheeled vehicle. The mounting face has a plurality of fastener apertures and a central aperture. A hat wall extends axially from the periphery of the mounting face. The rotor also includes a radially outer annular friction section. The friction section has a pair of opposite friction surfaces machined to predetermined dimensions. Each machined friction surface is non-directional in that it does not include directional indentations. The non-directional friction surfaces include non-directional indentations such as dimples or pits.

Abstract: The friction materials interposed between the respective externally toothed discs 31, 32, 33 and the respective internally toothed discs 41, 42, 43 which are located contiguously to one sides of the respective externally toothed discs 31, 32, 33 in an axial direction are each divided into a radially outer half portion 9a and a radially inner half portion 9b. The half portion 9b is attached to a thin recessed surface portion 3c formed on a radially outer side of the one side of each of the externally toothed portions 31, 32, 33 in the axial direction. However, the half portion 9a is attached to a thin recessed surface portion 4c formed on a radially outer side of the other side of each of the respective internally toothed discs 41, 42, 43 in the axial direction.

Abstract: A pressure plate for a friction clutch has a friction-surface region which can be pressed against a friction-lining arrangement of a clutch disk or the like. The pressure plate, in the friction-surface region, is formed at least partially from a first material which provides rapid dissipation of heat generated by friction, and in a body region which adjoins the friction-surface region, is formed from a second material which has a high heat absorption capacity for the heat dissipated from the friction-surface region.

Abstract: There is described a method of manufacturing a flat friction ring which consists of a supporting ring (1) and a friction lining (2) provided on at least one side of the supporting ring and at least approximately forming radial oil grooves (3), which friction lining is first cut out of a friction lining web including slits (5) extending from at least one circumferential side for forming the future oil grooves (3), and is then glued onto the supporting ring (1). This method is characterized in that the friction lining (2) is cut out of the friction lining web in the form of a strip (7) and in the area of the connecting webs (6) between the friction lining sectors (4) separated from each other by the slits (5) is bent in a polygon-like manner to form a ring and is glued onto the supporting ring (1).

Abstract: There is disclosed a conversion for a clutch of a motor vehicle which uses a conventional Belleville spring to bias a pressure plate and clamp a clutch disc between the pressure plate and the flywheel of the vehicle. In this invention, the frictional linings of the conventional clutch are substituted by frictional linings which are preferably located at optimum geometric spacing, and which have from 30-70 percent less surface area for frictional engagement than that conventionally furnished with the clutch. The invention is particularly applicable to upgraded performance cars, e.g., the new line of SLP cars being introduced by some manufacturers.