Abstract: The present invention is directed to “wet” friction clutch packs used in land motor vehicle's transmissions. The clutch pack comprises a multitude of friction plates and steel plates, which are stacked one upon the other. The clutch pack further comprises a multitude of splines attached to the outer portions of the steel plates. The steel splines have rubber inserts attached to them. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the clutch pack it is compressed engaging the friction and steel plates and allowing the clutch pack to rotate, however, when the pressure is released the friction plates stay static, whereas the steel plates rotate. The rubber inserts facilitate a rapid release when the clutch pack is disengaged. When pressure is applied to the clutch pack, the rubber inserts do not interfere with the proper operation of the clutch pack.

Abstract: A friction clutch is provided that includes a clutch cover, an intermediate plate that is spaced apart from an engine flywheel, a first friction disk positioned between the flywheel and the intermediate plate, a pressure plate spaced apart from the intermediate plate and a second friction disk positioned between the intermediate plate and the pressure plate. The clutch further includes a first drive strap for applying a load to the intermediate plate, a second drive strap for applying a load to the pressure plate and a separator arm attached to the intermediate plate. The separator arm engages the second drive strap such that axial movement of the intermediate plate relative to the clutch cover is a fraction of the corresponding axial movement of the pressure plate during engagement and disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided that includes a flywheel. A clutch cover is secured to the flywheel. An intermediate plate is spaced from the flywheel, and a pressure plate is arranged between the clutch cover and the intermediate plate. The intermediate plate may be secured to the clutch cover by flexible straps or another similar device. The straps retract the pressure plate from an engaged position to a disengaged position. First and second friction discs are respectively arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate and the intermediate plate and the flywheel. The pressure plate forces the intermediate plate and the friction discs toward the flywheel to couple and engine and transmission together. A separator moves the intermediate plate with the pressure plate from the engaged position to the disengaged position thereby permitting self-disengagement of the friction discs from the flywheel.

Abstract: A brake is provided that includes a friction disc assembly having two opposing friction discs separated by at least one resilient biasing member. A brake disc is positioned between the friction discs of the friction disc assembly and is splined to rotate with the shaft. A side of each friction disk that faces the brake disc is covered with a friction material. In normal operations, the friction discs are spaced apart from the brake disc. When it is desired to slow the rotation of the shaft, a release member contacts and compresses the friction disc assembly against a housing causing the friction material on each of the friction discs to contact and slow rotation of the brake disc. The present invention is particularly suited for use as a clutch brake for slowing rotation of an input shaft disposed between a clutch and a transmission of a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to “wet” friction clutch packs used in land motor vehicle's transmissions. The clutch pack comprises a multitude of friction plates and steel plates, which are stacked one upon the other. The clutch pack further comprises a multitude of splines attached to the outer portions of the steel plates. The steel splines have rubber inserts attached to them. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the clutch pack it is compressed engaging the friction and steel plates and allowing the clutch pack to rotate, however, when the pressure is released the friction plates stay static, whereas the steel plates rotate. The rubber inserts facilitate a rapid release when the clutch pack is disengaged. When pressure is applied to the clutch pack, the rubber inserts do not interfere with the proper operation of the clutch pack.

Abstract: A friction device includes drive and driven members rotatable about a common axis and defining a housing therebetween in which a piston assembly is supported and an expandable chamber is defined. A clutch pack is interposed between the drive and driven members and has separation plates interleaved with friction plates. The piston assembly is adapted to move among disengaged, pre-staged, and engaged positions wherein the friction plates are disposed in non-contacting, proximate contacting, and contacting relationship, respectively, with the separation plates. In the engaged position, the piston assembly is disposed forcing such contacting relationship to actuate the clutch pack to connect the drive and driven members.

Abstract: A pneumatic clutch assembly comprises: a hub having a flange and a cylindrical wall, an inner plurality of longitudinally extending splines which project outwardly from the cylindrical wall, a longitudinally extending passage in the hub for receiving a shaft, and a plurality of driver plates slideably disposed on the splines and biased in a spaced relationship. A driving ring includes a plurality of inwardly extending splines on which a plurality of spaced circular friction plates are slideably disposed and positioned between the driver plates. A holding plate is superposed over the driver plates at the distal end of the hub to capture the driver plates and friction plates and secured to the hub by fasteners. An annular spring is positioned in each recess formed between two driver plates, and between the innermost driver plate and the flange. These springs maintain separation between the driver plates until the holding-plate fasteners are torqued down, compressing the annular springs.

Abstract: A pressure plate is held in a housing so as to be movable in direction of an axis of rotation (A) and is acted upon or can be acted upon by an energy accumulator. The pressure plate is coupled with the housing by at least one coupling arrangement which acts upon the pressure plate axially during torque transmission. The thrust plate assembly further comprises a lifting force generating arrangement for generating a lifting force for the pressure plate.

Abstract: A transmission having a gear component with a gear housing with a housing cover allocated in axial direction to the housing in installation position. The gear housing has an essentially cylindrical interior space for the reception of individual gear elements. The gear unit includes a device for the at least indirect resetting of actuating elements of non positive coupling and/or braking arrangements with at least two friction surface-carrying elements, the friction surfaces of which are connectable with one another over a further friction surface-carrying intermediate element.

Abstract: In a clutch for a motor vehicle, an axially displaceable contact-pressure disk has a number of driver elements guided by a guide and further driver elements which are supported with spring elements in another guide. In the disengaged state of the clutch, the spring elements preload the contact-pressure disk into a central position, in which the guided driver element is remote from a stop. This prevents the driver element from digging into the stop and hence prevents sticking of the contact-pressure disk in the engaged state of the clutch.

Abstract: A thrust plate assembly comprises a housing having a rotational axis, a pressure plate arrangement which is movable axially in the housing arrangement, and at least one coupling arrangement by which the pressure plate is coupled with the housing for transmission of torque, wherein a force component acting axially upon the pressure plate can be generated by the at least one coupling arrangement when the pressure plate is acted upon by rotational force in a first direction with respect to the housing arrangement. The at least one coupling arrangement is connected in a first coupling area thereof with a first coupling portion of the pressure plate and is connected in a second coupling area thereof with a second coupling portion of the housing, wherein the first coupling area and the second coupling area of the at least one coupling arrangement are axially offset relative to one another.

Abstract: A pressure plate assembly for a friction clutch includes a housing arrangement and a pressure plate arrangement, which is held by at least one leaf spring arrangement with freedom of axial movement relative to the housing arrangement. The at least one leaf spring arrangement is fixed by a first attachment area to a first fastening area of the pressure plate arrangement and by a second attachment area to a second fastening area of the housing arrangement. The end area of the first fastening area and/or the second fastening area curves away from the minimum of one leaf spring arrangement, this end area being located in the area along which the at least one leaf spring arrangement extends.

Abstract: A thrust plate assembly for a friction clutch, including a housing having an axis of rotation and a pressure plate arrangement which is held so as to be movable axially with respect to the housing by means of at least one leaf spring arrangement. The leaf spring arrangement has a first coupling area secured to a first mounting area of the pressure plate, a first longitudinal area adjoining the first coupling area, and a second longitudinal area adjoining the second coupling area. A leaf spring arrangement support is arranged in such a way that when the first coupling area and the second coupling area approach one another in a circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation, at least one of the first longitudinal area and second longitudinal area contacts the leaf spring arrangement support.

Abstract: A friction device includes drive and driven members rotatable about a common axis and defining a housing therebetween in which a piston assembly is supported and an expandable chamber is defined. A clutch pack is interposed between the drive and driven members and has separation plates interleaved with friction plates. The piston assembly is adapted to move among disengaged, pre-staged, and engaged positions wherein the friction plates are disposed in non-contacting, proximate contacting, and contacting relationship, respectively, with the separation plates. In the engaged position, the piston assembly is disposed forcing such contacting relationship to actuate the clutch pack to connect the drive and driven members.

Abstract: A multi-plate clutch for a motor vehicle has a U-shaped spring element fastened to an intermediate plate for holding adjacent pressure plates at a distance from one another. The intermediate plate is reliably held between the pressure plates. Grinding of friction facings arranged between the intermediate plate and the pressure plates is accordingly minimized. The spring element is arranged in an area of an external toothing of the intermediate plate and therefore does not contribute to an increase in the radial dimensions of the multi-plate clutch.

Abstract: A clutch assembly of an automatic transmission includes a clutch pack mounted on a turbine shaft, a piston mounted to one end of the clutch pack for selectively depressing the clutch pack, a stopper plate fixed at the other end of the clutch pack for supporting the clutch pack, and a plurality of return springs arranged parallel with the clutch pack between the stopper plate and the piston, for returning the piston.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated friction coupling comprising a multiple friction disc assembly having a single piston actuator and having first and second springs operatively configured and arranged in response to pressurization of the piston actuator to selectively engage first and second sets plates and friction components for varying the gain of the coupling.