Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first shaft extending along and rotatable about a first shaft axis, and a second shaft extending along and rotatable about a second shaft axis that is parallel with the first shaft axis. The clutch assembly also includes a first friction component coupled to and rotatable with the first shaft, and a second friction component coupled to and rotatable with the second shaft. The clutch assembly additionally includes a band clutch assembly. The band clutch assembly includes a retaining band disposed about the first and second friction components, and a retaining component coupled to the retaining band. The retaining band is engageable with the first and second friction components, and the retaining band and the retaining component are rotatable with the first and second shafts during rotation of the first and second shafts.

Abstract: A clutch system includes a first clutch member and a second clutch member for transmitting torque from a vehicle power generator. The first clutch member includes a first a first clutch element having a first surface and a first friction material disposed on said first surface. The second clutch member is configured to engage the first clutch plate and includes a second clutch element having a second surface and a second friction material disposed on the second surface. The first friction material is configured to be engaged with the second friction material during operation of the vehicle power generator.

Abstract: A friction material includes a friction-generating layer and a base layer. The base layer includes base fibers and presents a bonding surface. The friction-generating layer includes friction-adjusting particles deposited on the base layer and presents a friction-generating surface facing opposite the bonding surface of the base layer. A curable resin is present in the friction-generating layer and the base layer. The friction material also includes a composition including a plurality of triglycerides. The composition is present in at least one of the friction-generating layer and the base layer. The plurality of triglycerides comprises polyunsaturated fatty acid in a content of from 60 to 90% by weight based on a total weight of the plurality of triglycerides included in the composition.

Abstract: A friction plate includes a core plate defining a bore. The core plate includes an interior core surface defining the bore, an exterior core surface radially spaced from the interior core surface, a first clutch face extending between the interior core surface and the exterior core surface and facing a first direction, and a second clutch face extending between the interior core surface and the exterior core surface and facing a second direction opposite the first direction. The friction plate also includes a friction material disposed on at least one of the first and second clutch faces. The core plate also includes a fluid directing portion. A first plate thickness is defined between the first and second clutch faces. A second plate thickness is defined at the fluid directing portion. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A friction material includes a friction-generating layer, a core layer, and a base layer. The friction-generating layer presents a friction-generating surface and includes a friction-generating material. The friction-generating material includes friction-adjusting particles. The core layer is adjacent to the friction-generating layer and includes a core material. The core material includes core fibers. The base layer is adjacent to the core layer such that the core layer is disposed between the friction-generating and base layers. The base layer presents a bonding surface facing opposite the friction-generating surface of the friction-generating layer. The base layer includes a fibrous material. The fibrous material includes base fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, cellulose fibers, acrylic fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, glass fibers, mineral fibers, and combinations thereof. A resin is present in at least one of the friction-generating layer, the core layer, and the base layer.

Abstract: A clutch system includes a first clutch member and a second clutch member for transmitting torque from a vehicle power generator. The first clutch member includes a first a first clutch element having a first surface and a first friction material disposed on said first surface. The second clutch member is configured to engage the first clutch plate and includes a second clutch element having a second surface and a second friction material disposed on the second surface. The first friction material is configured to be engaged with the second friction material during operation of the vehicle power generator.

Abstract: A friction plate includes a core plate defining a bore. The core plate includes an interior core surface defining the bore, an exterior core surface radially spaced from the interior core surface, a first clutch face extending between the interior core surface and the exterior core surface and facing a first direction, and a second clutch face extending between the interior core surface and the exterior core surface and facing a second direction opposite the first direction. The friction plate also includes a friction material disposed on at least one of the first and second clutch faces. A first thickness is defined between the first and second clutch faces on a spline portion. A second thickness is defined between the first and second clutch faces on a friction portion. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A friction plate includes a core plate. The core plate includes an interior core surface, an exterior core surface, a first clutch face having a first plane extending, and a second clutch face having a second plane. The friction plate also includes a friction material disposed on at least one of the first and second clutch faces. The core plate includes a plurality of projections. At least one of the projections extends away from the first and second planes with respect to the axis such that the at least one of the projections is configured to provide a spring force to the other friction plate of the clutch assembly during disengagement of the friction plate from the other friction plate, and to direct the lubricant axially away from the first clutch face along the axis during rotation of the core plate for limiting drag torque in the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A friction plate includes a core plate defining a bore. The core plate includes an interior core surface defining the bore, an exterior core surface radially spaced from the interior core surface, a first clutch face extending between the interior core surface and the exterior core surface and facing a first direction, and a second clutch face extending between the interior core surface and the exterior core surface and facing a second direction opposite the first direction. The friction plate also includes a friction material disposed on at least one of the first and second clutch faces. The core plate also includes a fluid directing portion. A first plate thickness is defined between the first and second clutch faces. A second plate thickness is defined at the fluid directing portion. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A friction clutch selectively and directly couples a rotatable drive and driven members. The friction clutch includes first and second clutch members movable toward and away from each other along an axis between disengaged, partially engaged, and fully engaged positions. The first and second clutch members are independently coupled to the drive and driven members. The friction clutch further includes first and second friction materials positioned between the first and second clutch members. The first and second friction materials are each independently coupled to one of the first and second clutch members and are each independently engageable with an engagement surface of the other one of the first and second clutch members. The first friction material engages the respective engagement surface in the partially engaged position and the second friction material engages the respective engagement surface in the fully engaged position.

Abstract: A composite clutch (110) is adapted to transmit an operational range of torques (60) from a driving member (118) to a driven member (122). The composite clutch (110) incorporates both of a friction clutch assembly (124) and a dog clutch assembly (126), each assembly adapted to address one of two segments (62, 68) of the operational range of torques (60). The clutch (110) further includes a spring-loaded detent system (180) configured to control transition (66) between the two segments (62, 68) of operational ranges of torques (60). The friction clutch assembly (124) includes first friction clutch elements (128) coupled to the driving member (118) and second friction clutch elements (132) coupled to the driven member (122) for providing torque control within the lower operational range of torques (64).

Abstract: A friction clutch selectively and directly couples a rotatable drive and driven members. The friction clutch includes first and second clutch members movable toward and away from each other along an axis between disengaged, partially engaged, and fully engaged positions. The first and second clutch members are independently coupled to the drive and driven members. The friction clutch further includes first and second friction materials positioned between the first and second clutch members. The first and second friction materials are each independently coupled to one of the first and second clutch members and are each independently engageable with an engagement surface of the other one of the first and second clutch members. The first friction material engages the respective engagement surface in the partially engaged position and the second friction material engages the respective engagement surface in the fully engaged position.

Abstract: A dual gain friction clutch is adapted to transmit an operational range of torques from a drive member to a driven member. The dual gain friction clutch incorporates a first friction clutch pack and a second friction clutch pack, the pack being axially aligned and adapted to address one of two segments of the operational range of torques. The clutch further includes a spring-loaded skate detent unit configured to control transition between the two segments of operational ranges of torques. Each friction clutch pack may include identical respective friction discs coupled to the drive member and respective pressure plates coupled to the driven member for selectively providing torque control within either of the lower and higher segments of the operational ranges of torques.

Abstract: A composite clutch (110) is adapted to transmit an operational range of torques (60) from a driving member (118) to a driven member (122). The composite clutch (110) incorporates both of a friction clutch assembly (124) and a dog clutch assembly (126), each assembly adapted to address one of two segments (62, 68) of the operational range of torques (60). The clutch (110) further includes a spring-loaded detent system (180) configured to control transition (66) between the two segments (62, 68) of operational ranges of torques (60). The friction clutch assembly (124) includes first friction clutch elements (128) coupled to the driving member (118) and second friction clutch elements (132) coupled to the driven member (122) for providing torque control within the lower operational range of torques (64).

Abstract: A dual gain friction clutch (200) is adapted to transmit an operational range of torques (260) from a drive member (214) to a driven member (218). The dual gain friction clutch (200) incorporates a first friction clutch pack (220) and a second friction clutch pack (222), the pack being axially aligned and adapted to address one of two segments (262, 266) of the operational range of torques (260). The clutch (200) further includes a spring-loaded skate detent unit (240) configured to control transition (264) between the two segments (262, 266) of operational ranges of torques (260). Each friction clutch pack (220, 222) may include identical respective friction discs (220a, 222a) coupled to the drive member (214) and respective pressure plates (220b, 222b) coupled to the driven member (218) for selectively providing torque control within either of the lower and higher segments (262, 266) of the operational ranges of torques (260).

Abstract: A transmission band assembly (10) having a circular band (12) and a friction material liner (26). The liner (26) varies in density at predetermined locations along its length to modify the torque curve of the transmission to provide smooth shifting.

Abstract: The invention provides a double wrap brake band consisting of three band segments which are held together by tie members designed to break-away under shear forces applied by the apply pin and reaction or anchor member during operation of the transmission assembly. The break-away tie members hold the three band segments together to form a structurally sound cylindrical band during assembly of the transmission. The tie segments are then sheared the first time the band is actuated by the apply and reaction pins.

Abstract: An improved double-wrap brake band having a bracket member (16) consisting of an apply bracket (20), a reaction bracket (22), and a connector bracket (24) secured to three generally parallel bands (12A, 12B, 12C). The bands (12A, 12B, 12C) include a plurality of position oriented non-circular slots (36) designed to accept corresponding non-circular extruded tabs (44) extending from the bracket member (16). Each of the tabs has a longitudinal curvature that is substantially radially parallel to the annular inner peripheral surface (42) of the bracket member (44) and the annular inner peripheral surface (15) of the strap member (10). The tabs (44), after clinching, serve to retain the bracket member (16) securely on the bands (12A, 12B, 12C).

Abstract: A piston plate for providing a lock-up of a hydrodynamic torque transmitting unit has a friction lining bonded to a flat area thereon near the outer diameter which is arranged to slip with respect to the front cover of a rotating housing of the torque converter. The friction lining has an annular sealing segment to seal fluid leakage across the lining; and a plurality of grooves is formed from the outside diameter of the lining to an intermediate point on the width to communicate through an axial hole in the piston plate to provide a path for flow of cooling fluid through the lining for removing heat build up therefrom; the source of the cooling fluid also is the fluid source for applying pressure to the plate for providing lock-up in the torque transmitting unit.