Abstract: A clutch assembly comprising a sealed clutch and an adapter. The clutch being connected to the adapter and the adapter being connectable to a flywheel. The adapter including openings positioned for registration with the connection pattern of a flywheel for connecting the adapter to the flywheel. The openings of the adapter comprising at least two groups of openings for registration with the connection patterns of at least two different flywheels.

Abstract: A sealed clutch and a clutch plate, the sealed clutch including a spline connector for connecting the sealed clutch by splined connection to a transmission shaft of an automotive transmission. The spline connector comprising a connector housing and a spline ring. The spline ring including an opening having a spline configuration for cooperating with a splined portion of a transmission shaft. The connector housing being secured within the sealed clutch and the spline ring being removably connectable to the connector housing to enable the spline ring to be removed and replaced with a different spline ring for cooperating with a splined portion of a different transmission shaft. The clutch plate has a pair of drive plates having a coaxially aligned openings and a spline connector mounted between them.

Abstract: A clutch assembly including a sealed clutch and a spacer. The clutch is connected to the spacer and the spacer is connectable to a flywheel along a common axis and the spacer facilitates connection of the clutch to the flywheel in at least two different axially spaced positions. A connection ring can connect the spacer connection to flywheel.

Abstract: A clutch plate including first and second plates with the first plate having a friction material applied about its peripheral edge. A hub for connection to an output shaft and having a hub flange. The first and second plates being angularly displaceable relative to each other and being coupled by at least two drive springs. A sleeve extends about a portion of each of the drive springs so that a portion of each of the drive springs extends out of the sleeve. The sleeve being interposed between a radially outer surface of the springs and a facing bearing surface formed by the plates. The arrangement is such that during compression of the springs, the springs are moveable within the sleeves relative to the sleeves and the sleeves are moveable relative to the bearing surface of the plates.

Abstract: A clutch plate including first and second plates with the first plate having a friction material applied about its peripheral edge. A hub for connection to an output shaft and having a hub flange. The first and second plates being angularly displaceable relative to each other and being coupled by at least two drive springs. A sleeve extends about a portion of each of the drive springs so that a portion of each of the drive springs extends out of the sleeve. The sleeve being interposed between a radially outer surface of the springs and a facing bearing surface formed by the plates. The arrangement is such that during compression of the springs, the springs are moveable within the sleeves relative to the sleeves and the sleeves are moveable relative to the bearing surface of the plates.

Abstract: A clutch plate (100) including a plate assembly (111) having an annular periphery to which an assembly of friction material (114,115) is applied to face in opposite directions. A hub (120) is provided for connection to an output shaft and a hub flange (132) is driveable by the plate assembly to rotate. The hub (120) is driveable to rotate by the hub flange (132). The hub (120) and the hub flange (132) are angularly displaceable relative to each other within a predetermined range and are coupled together by a tension spring (125) which extends radially relative to the axis of rotation of the hub and which applies a biasing load against relative angular displacement between the hub (120) and the hub flange (132).

Abstract: A clutch plate (100) including a plate assembly (111) having an annular periphery to which an assembly of friction material (114,115) is applied to face in opposite directions. A hub (120) is provided for connection to an output shaft and a hub flange (132) is driveable by the plate assembly to rotate. The hub (120) is driveable to rotate by the hub flange (132). The hub (120) and the hub flange (132) are angularly displaceable relative to each other within a predetermined range and are coupled together by a tension spring (125) which extends radially relative to the axis of rotation of the hub and which applies a biasing load against relative angular displacement between the hub (120) and the hub flange (132).

Abstract: A pressure plate for use in a friction clutch assembly comprises a substantially flat annular coupling face for frictional engagement with a coupling face of a clutch plate and one or more discontinuities formed in the coupling face of the pressure plate. The discontinuity(ies) decrease a greater relative proportion of the surface area closer to an inner radius of the coupling face of the pressure plate than an outer radius of the coupling face of the pressure plate to increase a mean effective radius of the surface area. The discontinuity(ies) include a generally circumferential groove around an inner portion of the coupling face of the pressure plate and, at each end of the generally circumferential groove, a wiper portion of the coupling face of the pressure plate extending inwardly toward an axis of rotation of the pressure plate(s).

Abstract: A pressure plate for use in a friction clutch assembly comprises a substantially flat annular coupling face for frictional engagement with a coupling face of a clutch plate and one or more discontinuities formed in the coupling face of the pressure plate. The discontinuity(ies) decrease a greater relative proportion of the surface area closer to an inner radius of the coupling face of the pressure plate than an outer radius of the coupling face of the pressure plate to increase a mean effective radius of the surface area. The discontinuity(ies) include a generally circumferential groove around an inner portion of the coupling face of the pressure plate and, at each end of the generally circumferential groove, a wiper portion of the coupling face of the pressure plate extending inwardly toward an axis of rotation of the pressure plate(s).