Abstract: A hydraulic clutch assembly is equipped with a spring-drive hydraulic clutch, which includes a gear rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft and a clutch cylinder fixedly mounted on the transmission shaft, first and second friction elements respectively supported on the gear and the clutch cylinder in such a manner as to be slidable along an axis of the clutch (hereinafter sometimes referred to a clutch axis) and relatively non-rotatable thereto, a pressure disk disposed opposite to the friction elements, and a spring for moving the pressure disk towards the friction elements to bring the first friction element into engagement with the second friction element, in which the pressure disk is moved away from the friction elements by an effect of hydraulic pressure, thereby withdrawing the friction elements from engagement with each other.

Abstract: A friction device (10, 110) having a drive member (12, 112) and a driven member (14, 114) which define a clutch housing (16, 116) therebetween. A clutch pack (24, 124) is interposed between the drive and driven members and is operable to connect and disconnect the drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A control valve (74, 174) is supported in the clutch housing (16, 116) and is moveable between open and closed positions. The control valve (74, 174) is operable to control the flow of cooling fluid from the source to the clutch pack (24, 124).

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of the clutches of a dual clutch transmission, which includes the steps of providing a predetermined flow of cooling fluid to at least one clutch of the dual clutch transmission for controlling bulk clutch temperature, monitoring the temperature of the cooling fluid at the clutch, and changing the flow of the cooling fluid to the clutch as a function of a change in the bulk clutch temperature.

Abstract: A wet friction plate assembly which is capable of discharging the lubricant existing between the friction plate and the separation plate to restrict the accompanying rotation of the separation plate of a wet multiple-plate clutch etc. while it is disengaged.

Abstract: A lubrication control apparatus for properly lubricating an electromagnetic start clutch of an automatic transmission is comprised of an oil supplying section that supplies lubricating oil to the start clutch, an oil returning section that returns the lubricating oil from the start clutch to the automatic transmission, and a quantity varying section varies a supply quantity of the lubricating oil supplied to the start clutch according to a slipping state of the start clutch.

Abstract: A frictional engaging device and frictional engagement control method, wherein the phenomenon of the frictional coefficient of the friction surfaces of a friction engagement device being changed when an electric field is applied to the friction surfaces, is utilized to control the transmittal force. Under the action of a pushing force, friction engagement members are brought into direct contact with each other for frictional engagement. When an electric field is applied between the frictional engagement members, the frictional coefficient of the friction surfaces changes, which means that the transmittal force can be changed. An example of the frictional engagement device is a clutch device (10). A friction member (20) made of insulation material is attached to an input disk (16) and engages an output disk (22). The friction surfaces are lubricated. A control device (30) controls a voltage applying device (28) and applies a voltage to an electrode (26) to provide a desired transmittal force.

Abstract: An input clutch lubrication control apparatus for an automatic transmission, including an oil pump, a sleeve, an input shaft rotatably supported by the sleeve, an electromagnetic input clutch drivingly coupled with the input shaft upon being applied, first and second lubrication circuits fluidly communicating the electromagnetic input clutch with the oil pump, and a controller programmed to control the first and second lubrication circuits to regulate an amount of the lubricating oil fed to the electromagnetic input clutch. First lubrication circuit includes an annular space between the input shaft and the sleeve. Second lubrication circuit includes an axial bore of the input shaft.

Abstract: Multi-disk clutch connected downstream of a power split transmission consisting of a double clutch whose individual clutches rotate in opposite directions, the rotational-speed dependent axial forces being compensated on the shift piston, and has a valve which releases or blocks the flow of coolant to the disks and a return spring with an increasing spring characteristic line for calibrating the clutch.

Abstract: A lubrication control apparatus for properly lubricating an electromagnetic start clutch of an automatic transmission is comprised of an oil supplying section that supplies lubricating oil to the start clutch, an oil returning section that returns the lubricating oil from the start clutch to the automatic transmission, and a quantity varying section varies a supply quantity of the lubricating oil supplied to the start clutch according to a slipping state of the start clutch.

Abstract: A work vehicle configured for selectively applying power to a load and comprising a frame, a plurality of ground support devices movably secured to the frame, an engine supported by the frame, a source of hydraulic fluid at a pressure, a clutch for selectively coupling the engine to the load in response to a control signal, the clutch including a clutch actuator configured for engaging the clutch upon receipt of an actuating fluid at least a first predetermined pressure, the clutch configured to dissipate heat of engagement to a flow of a lube fluid; and a clutch control valve located intermediate the fluid source and the clutch and disposed in the path of the actuating fluid and the lube fluid.

Abstract: A friction device includes piston assembly is responsive to the pressure of fluid in an expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating a clutch pack to connect and disconnect drive and driven members. The piston assembly includes a main body having an outer ring annularly disposed about the main body. The outer ring includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The outer ring is movable between a first position wherein the orifice is closed and the drive and driven members are disconnected and a second position where the orifice is open to allow the flow of pressurized fluid through the orifice and from the outer diameter of the clutch pack between the adjacent plates and disks to the inner diameter of the clutch pack to cool same when the drive and driven members are connected.

Abstract: A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston carries a control module responsive to pressure in the expandable chamber for controlling coolant flow through a dedicated coolant flow passage through the actuator piston that includes mist-forming outlets on the face of the actuator piston.

Abstract: In a vehicle wherein a supplementary speed change mechanism (12; 112) having selectively operable two fluid-operated clutches (29F, 29R; 129L, 129H) and a main speed change mechanism (15; 18) having selectively operable plural fluid-operated clutches (36, 37, 38; 45, 46, 47) are connected in series, and wherein fluid pressure applied to the clutches of supplementary speed change mechanism is once reduced in response to the shifting operation of main speed change mechanism, a flow control valve (50) is connected to an output flow path (49) of a pump (49) for dividing its inflow into a constant flow and a surplus flow. A flow divider valve (52; 52A) is provided for dividing the constant flow into two flows of a constant ratio one of which is supplied to the clutches of main speed change mechanism and the other of which is supplied to the clutches of supplementary speed change mechanism. The surplus flow is used as lubricant supplied to the clutches of supplementary speed change mechanism.

Abstract: A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston is responsive to the pressure of fluid in the expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating the clutch pack. An outer ring is slidably supported within the housing to form a second expandable chamber. The outer ring includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The piston closes the orifice in the outer ring when the drive and driven members are disconnected and has a second position where the orifice is open. A second source of lubricant pressure separate from the piston actuating fluid flows into the second expandable chamber thence through the orifice and from the outer diameter of the clutch pack between the adjacent plates and disks to the inner diameter of the clutch pack for cooling the pack.