# US 10,371,215 B2 · Transmission and transmission clutch system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,215 B2 - Document ID: US10371215B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/195,350 - Filed: 2016-06-28 - Published: 2017-12-28 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-28 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Carl Garbacik; Marvin Young; Mark William Marchie; Jau-Wen Tseng; Bhupinder Singh; Patrick Duff - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371215B2 ## CPC - F16D 13/648: {for clutches with multiple lamellae} - F16D 13/52: Clutches with multiple lamellae {; Clutches in which three or more axially moveable members are fixed alternately to the shafts to be coupled and are pressed from one side towards an axially-located member (F16D13/385 takes precedence)} - F16D 13/68: Attachments of plates or lamellae to their supports {(one or more discs connected to the linings transmitting torque to one or more discs connected to the hub by helical springs in windows in the discs, i.e. rotary vibration dampers F16F15/12)} - F16D 13/76: specially adapted to incorporate with other transmission parts, i.e. at least one of the clutch parts also having another function, e.g. being the disc of a pulley - F16D 25/0638: with more than two discs, e.g. multiple lamellae - F16D 25/10: Clutch systems with a plurality of fluid-actuated clutches (arrangements or mounting of clutches in vehicles B60K17/00) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A vehicle transmission includes a first rotating element, second rotating element, first retainer ring, and second retainer ring. The first rotating element has an exterior surface that defines a first ring groove. The second rotating element is configured to limit movement of friction plates during clutch engagement. The second rotating element is disposed about the exterior surface and has an interior surface that defines a second ring groove. The first retainer ring is disposed in the first ring groove. The second retainer ring is disposed in the second ring groove and thereby restricts movement of the first retainer ring in a radially outward direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle transmission comprising: a first rotating element having an exterior surface defining a first ring groove; a second rotating element, configured to limit movement of friction plates during clutch engagement, disposed about the exterior surface and having an interior surface defining a second ring groove; a first retainer ring disposed in the first ring groove; and a second retainer ring disposed in the second ring groove thereby restricting movement of the first retainer ring in a radially outward direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transmission of claim 1, further comprising a third retainer ring disposed between the first and second retainer rings, wherein the third retainer ring contacts an upper surface of the first retainer ring restricting movement of the first retainer ring in a radially outward direction and wherein the third retainer ring contacts a side surface of the second retainer ring such that second retainer ring restricts movement of the third retainer ring in an axial direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The transmission of claim 2, wherein the third retainer ring has an L-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The transmission of claim 2, wherein the third retainer ring has a rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The transmission of claim 1, wherein the first ring groove and the second ring groove are defined on opposing faces of the first rotating element and second rotating element, respectively. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The transmission of claim 1, wherein the first ring groove is offset from the second ring groove in an axial direction with respect to the first rotating element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The transmission of claim 1, wherein the first rotating element is a shell. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The transmission of claim 1, wherein the second rotating element is clutch reaction plate. ### Claim 9 A clutch comprising: a reaction plate disposed about a rotating element defining a first ring groove, wherein the reaction plate is configured to limit axial movement of friction plates and defines a second ring groove; a first retainer ring disposed in the first ring groove; and a second retainer ring disposed in the second ring groove thereby restricting movement of the first retainer ring in a radially outward direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The clutch of claim 9, further comprising a third retainer ring disposed between the first and second retainer rings, wherein the third retainer ring contacts an upper surface of the first retainer ring restricting movement of the first retainer ring in a radially outward direction and wherein the third retainer ring contacts a side surface of the second retainer ring such that second retainer ring restricts movement of the third retainer ring in an axial direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The clutch of claim 10, wherein the third retainer ring has an L-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The clutch of claim 10, wherein the third retainer ring has a rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The clutch of claim 9, wherein the first ring groove and the second ring groove are defined on opposing faces of the rotating element and reaction plate, respectively. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The clutch of claim 9, wherein the first ring groove is offset from the second ring groove in an axial direction with respect to the rotating element. ### Claim 15 A transmission comprising: a rotating element defining an exterior ring groove; a clutch-pack backing plate defining an interior ring groove and disposed about the rotating element such that the exterior and interior ring grooves are adjacent to each other; an exterior retainer ring disposed in the exterior ring groove; and an interior retainer ring disposed in the interior ring groove thereby restricting movement of the exterior retainer ring in a radially outward direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The transmission of claim 15, further comprising an intermediate retainer ring disposed between the exterior and interior retainer rings, wherein the intermediate retainer ring contacts an upper surface of the exterior retainer ring restricting movement of the exterior retainer ring in a radially outward direction and wherein the intermediate retainer ring contacts a side surface of the interior retainer ring such that interior retainer ring restricts movement of the intermediate retainer ring in an axial direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The transmission of claim 16, wherein the intermediate retainer ring has an L-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The transmission of claim 15, wherein the rotating element is a shell. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The transmission of claim 15, wherein the exterior ring groove and the interior ring groove are defined on opposing faces of the rotating element and clutch-pack backing plate, respectively. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The transmission of claim 15, wherein the exterior ring groove is offset from the interior ring groove in an axial direction with respect to the rotating element.