Disconnect clutch

摘要

A disconnect clutch and method of controlling the connection of a parasitic load to an engine disposed on a machine is disclosed. The disconnect clutch may comprise a flywheel assembly, a friction plate and a coupling. The flywheel assembly may include a flywheel having a cavity, a chamber, a piston moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position, a pressure plate, a lever, and a coupling operably connected to the friction plate. The flywheel may include an end plate. The chamber may be defined by the flywheel and the piston. The lever may apply an activation force to the pressure plate when the piston is in the expanded position. The friction plate may be attached to and rotatable with the flywheel assembly when the piston is in the expanded position and generally stationary when the piston is in the contracted position.

主权项

1. A disconnect clutch comprising:
a flywheel assembly that includes;
a rotatable flywheel having a cavity, the flywheel including an end plate;a chamber disposed inside the cavity and defined by the flywheel and a piston;the piston disposed inside the cavity and moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position piston is generally annular and has a piston inner circumference and a piston outer circumference, and in which the flywheel includes a ledge disposed adjacent to the piston inner circumference; anda pressure plate disposed inside the cavity; a friction plate disposed inside the cavity between the pressure plate and the end plate, the friction plate attached to and rotatable with the flywheel assembly when the piston is in the expanded position and spaced apart from the flywheel assembly and generally stationary when the piston is in the contracted position; anda coupling operably connected to the friction plate, further including a lever disposed inside the cavity between the piston and the pressure plate, the lever oriented in relation to the piston and the pressure plate to apply an activation force to the pressure plate when the piston is in the expanded position.