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 of the kind having a plurality of friction discs also comprises: a reaction plate; a cover plate; an intermediate crown; and at least one intermediate pressure plate, which is rotatable with the crown but movable axially with respect to the latter; and driving means carried by the crown for effecting the said axial movement, the cover plate having a skirt portion in which apertures are formed. The intermediate crown is in the form of a simple ring, and the driving means comprise at least two dowels projecting axially from the ring that constitutes the intermediate crown, with each dowel engaging slidingly in a hole which is formed in a radially projecting lug of the intermediate pressure plate, each of these lugs lying in one of the apertures in the cover plate skirt portion.

Abstract: A clutch includes a reaction plate, a cover plate, a pressure plate and, arranged between the pressure and reaction plates, at least one friction disc. At least one intermediate disc is also provided, being arranged to come into contact with the pressure plate. The pressure plate and the adjacent intermediate disc associated with the pressure plate are secured together by a resilient gripping action, which is exerted by axial gripping members arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate.

Abstract: A clutch includes a reaction plate, a cover plate, a pressure plate and, arranged between the pressure plate and the reaction plate, at least two friction discs, together with at least one intermediate disc which is interposed between the two friction discs, the latter being mounted for rotation with a hub of the clutch. The hub, the friction discs and the intermediate disc are assembled together, to form a unit which can readily be handled and transported, due to the presence of at least one shoulder carried by each of the axial ends of the hub.

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: A clutch comprises two coaxial clutch parts. One clutch part includes a pressure plate and a reaction plate coupled with a first shaft for rotation therewith. The other clutch part includes at least one friction disc coupled with a second shaft for rotation therewith. The pressure plate is subjected to the action of a control mechanism arranged to urge it towards or away from the reaction plate. A torque limiter is coupled with one or other of the shafts for rotation with it. The torque limiter is also coupled for rotation with one of the two clutch parts so as to rotate with that clutch part. The torque limiter is mounted within its own housing, which is disposed outside the space defined between the pressure plate and reaction plate of the clutch. The torque limiter housing is secured to a fixed support, typically the clutch casing itself, and includes a detector for detecting longitudinal forces exerted by the torque limiter.

Abstract: An improvement to clutch release bearings which comprise an operating element and a drive element retained together and controlled by axially-acting elastic members formed by a limited number of separate elastic clamps. The elastic clamps are operable to apply a radial flange of the drive element against a radial flange of the operating element. Each elastic clamp comprises an axial part and a radial part. The axial part extends across the flange of the operating element through an opening in the flange. Two axial channels are provided in association with this opening to hold this elastic clamp radially in place. The invention is particularly applicable to self-centering clutch release bearings for automobiles wherein the bearings are capable of permanent self-centering.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism suitable for automotive vehicles comprises a pre-assembled pressure plate/diaphragm spring/clutch cover assembly. This assembly is fixed to the end of a driving shaft by means of the clutch cover and bolts which pass through openings formed for this purpose in the pressure plate. A friction disk is mounted elastically on a hub on a driven shaft. It is gripped between the pressure plate and a reaction plate, the latter attached to the clutch cover by means of screws which have their heads welded to the cover. A clutch operating pin acts directly on the center of the pressure plate which is dished for the purposes of oil recovery and evacuation.

Abstract: A torsional damper device comprises a first coaxial part in the form of a hub flange formed with circumferential slots and a second coaxial part in the form of two guide rings disposed one on each side of the hub flange. Spacers passing through the slots fasten the guide rings together. Relative angular movement between the first and second coaxial parts is permitted within predetermined limits defined by cooperation of the spacers with lateral edges of the slots. Circumferentially acting elastic members are disposed between the first and second coaxial parts to urge them into an idle configuration. At least one elastic abutment member is carried by one of the coaxial parts and selectively deployable between one of the spacers and at least one of the lateral edges of the associated slot, in order to resist elastically abutment of the spacer against this edge.

Abstract: A multiple rotating disk assembly comprises a stack of disks including first disks constrained to rotate with a first of two coaxial members and second disks alternating with the first disks and constrained to rotate with the second of the coaxial members. The first and second disks are movable axially relative to the coaxial members. Elastic separators are disposed between the first disks and adapted to urge them away from one another. The elastic separators have an elastic limit which is sufficiently low as to be systematically exceeded on each increase in the closeness of packing of the disks due to progressive wear of the friction surfaces carried by the latter, for at least part of the service life of the friction surfaces.

Abstract: A torsional damper device comprises coaxial parts adapted to rotate relative to one another within predetermined limits. Two of the coaxial parts mesh together with clearance, the meshing portions defining predetermined limits of relative angular movement. A circumferentially acting elastic element is disposed between these two coaxial parts to resist such relative angular movement. A centering device cooperating with the meshing portions is adapted to urge the two coaxial parts circumferentially towards a rest position between the predetermined limits of relative angular movement. These two coaxial parts are formed with shoulders and the centering device comprise at least one elastic member, constituting part of the circumferentially acting elastic element, colocated with the meshing portions. A respective bearing member is disposed between each end of the elastic member and the associated shoulder. Thus the elastic member bears on the shoulders through the intermediary of the bearing members.

Abstract: A torsion damping device for an automobile clutch friction disc comprises two coaxial parts angularly movable relative to one another to a limited extent in opposition to the action of first helicoidal springs disposed between the parts, these first springs damping vibrations between the clutch drive and driven shafts. One of the coaxial parts comprises a coaxial web and hub themselves angularly movable relative to one another over a limited sector defined by complementary toothings on the web and hub. Second helicoidal springs are disposed between the web and hub to oppose their relative angular movement, damping noise when in neutral gear. At least one block of elastomeric material is disposed between the toothings on the web and hub, the or each block allowing the toothings to strike positively against one another but braking their relative motion to reduce noise when torque in the clutch is reversed.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing is disclosed comprising an operating element having a transverse annular flange, a bearing plate lining one side of the annular flange and clips being provided for a relative elastic snap-fit engagement on the associated clutch fork. The clips are independent, generally U-shaped parts having a bight portion which is interposed between the bearing plate and the transverse annular flange of the operating element under a radial lug of the bearing plate. Alternatively, the bight portion extends on the side of the transverse annular flange remote from the bearing plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torsional-vibration damping hub for a clutch friction plate. The hub comprises two coaxial parts mounted for limited relative angular displacement against the action of circumferential springs disposed between the parts. Axially-acting spring means are also provided for acting on friction means disposed between the parts, and these spring means comprise a clamping disc provided with elastically deformable, radially projecting lugs. These lugs extend from the internal periphery of the clamping disc and are each bent to form a dihedral angle.This arrangement enables an improved distribution of the axial clamping force over known arrangements.

Abstract: The invention comprises a wear-compensating device for incorporation in a control linkage used for operating a motor vehicle clutch. The control linkage is arranged between the declutching fork and the clutch pedal and the device comprises two coupling parts, each of which is linked respectively to two successive sections of the linkage.According to the invention, the outermost coupling part carries a sleeve divided into jaws so that it can pass elastically from a free configuration of disengagement, at which the jaws are at a distance from the innermost coupling part, to an enforced configuration of engagement, at which the jaws are clamped to the latter.The device compensates for wear of the clutch friction surfaces by changing the effective length of the control linkage.

Abstract: A torsion damping center and a clutch plate assembly incorporating the torsion damping center are disclosed. The torsion damping center comprises a first hub which is the actual hub of the clutch plate assembly and which is coaxial to a second hub and mounted for relative angular displacement within predetermined limits, and a damper ring operatively interposed between the hubs for a range of relative angular displacements. The damper ring comprises a pair of identical annular plates of sheet metal construction and a pad of elastic material sandwiched between the plates and bonded thereto. The plates have at least one tooth at their inner periphery for connection for rotation with the first and second hubs respectively. The damper ring constitutes a first damping stage; the second damping stage comprising a series of circumferentially disposed coil springs interposed between the second hub and a friction disc carried on an annular subassembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a friction disc for a clutch, of the kind comprising a central hub having a plurality of radial blades carrying the friction linings on each outer face. The friction disc is provided with axial resiliency or "give" by forming each radial blade from two axially displaceable plates which are urged apart elastically, and coupling means are provided between the plates to limit the degree of axial displacement thereof. According to the invention, the coupling means comprise a lug integral with one plate which engages in a simple recess formed in the lateral edge of the other plate. Preferably a lug and a recess are formed in each plate, and the plates are identical.The construction simplifies the assembly of the friction disc and provides significant cost savings in manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-output clutch comprising two clutch assemblies between the two pressure plates of which are interposed two spring washers separated from one another by a spacer which is axially fastened on one of the reaction plates.The spacer forms an independent part which for the purpose of its axial fastening to the associated reaction plate bears through at least one of the spring washers against retaining means disposed axially beyond the said spring washer in relation to the spacer.

Abstract: A band brake for a clutch comprises a band, passed in a loop around a cylindrical bearing surface of a driven part of the clutch, and an operating member adapted to apply the brake band against part of the bearing surface, the operating member comprising two pistons hydraulically moveable in opposite directions in the same cylinder, one piston acting on the brake band and the other piston on the bearing surface, the pistons being actuated to brake the driven part of the clutch when the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: Clutch mechanisms are disclosed having two clutch assemblies associated with a single or two separate output shafts. To minimize the axial dimension of the clutch mechanism and yet provide the required spring loading when the clutch assemblies act independently, for example, the spring loading is provided by two Belleville type spring washers interposed between the pressure plates of the clutch assemblies. The spring washers are arranged axially and their configurations tends to converge in the same direction. Spacer ring members are interposed between the spring washers at both their inner and outer peripheries and between each of the spring washers and the pressure plate facing it so that the spring washers are borne exclusively by the spacer ring members.