Low driven inertia dual clutch

摘要

A clutch apparatus includes a clutch pack having a plurality of friction disks. The clutch pack will selectively transfer torque from a torque supplying member to a first torque receiving member. The apparatus also includes a first piston chamber positioned radially outward of the clutch pack. The first piston chamber is operably connected to the clutch pack for exerting a compressive force on at least a portion of the clutch pack as a first fluid is pressurized into the first piston chamber.

主权项

1. A clutch apparatus comprising:
a first clutch pack having a plurality of friction disks, wherein the first clutch pack will selectively transfer torque from a torque supplying member to a first torque receiving member; a first piston chamber positioned completely radially outward of the first clutch pack, wherein the first piston chamber is operably connected to the first clutch pack for exerting a compressive force on at least a portion of the first clutch pack as a first fluid is pressurized into the first piston chamber, and wherein the first clutch pack, a first piston and the first piston chamber rotate simultaneously about a common axis; a first balance chamber formed at least partially between the first piston and a first balance chamber wall, wherein an amount of a second fluid equal to that of the first fluid is displaced from the first balance chamber upon movement of the first piston, thereby maintaining a rotational weight and a rotational inertia of the clutch apparatus; and a second piston chamber positioned radially outward of a second clutch pack, wherein the second piston chamber is operably connected to the second clutch pack for exerting a compressive force on at least a portion of the second clutch pack; wherein the second clutch pack has a plurality of friction disks, wherein the second clutch pack will selectively transfer torque from the torque supplying member to a second torque receiving member, and wherein the first piston chamber is positioned radially outward of the second clutch pack.