# US 10,480,589 B2 · Fluid draining through clutch plates having separator features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,589 B2 - Document ID: US10480589B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/634,600 - Filed: 2017-06-27 - Published: 2018-12-27 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-27 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Clinton E Carey; Daryl A Wilton; James M Hart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480589B2 ## CPC - F16D 13/648: {for clutches with multiple lamellae} - F16D 13/69: Arrangements for spreading lamellae in the released state - F16D 13/74: Features relating to lubrication - F16D 25/00: Fluid-actuated clutches - F16D 28/00: Electrically-actuated clutches (arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00) - 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: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A friction clutch assembly for an automatic transmission is provided. The friction clutch assembly is configured to move between an applied position and a released or disengaged position. A plurality of clutch plates may include friction plates and interleaved reaction plates, plus an apply plate and a backing plate. A separator feature is disposed adjacent to at least one of the reaction plates, the friction plates, the apply plate, and the backing plate. At least one of the reaction plates, the friction plates, the apply plate, and the backing plate defines a passage configured to allow fluid to flow through the friction clutch assembly and around the separator feature. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clutch plate configuration for use in an automotive transmission, the clutch plate configuration comprising: a plurality of reaction plates, each reaction plate of the plurality of reaction plates having a plurality of teeth disposed along an outer diameter, a radial section extending radially inwardly from the outer diameter, and an inner section extending radially inwardly from the radial section, each reaction plate defining a plurality of passages within the radial section of the reaction plate; a plurality of separator features interleaved with the plurality of reaction plates, each separator feature overlapping with at least one passage of the plurality of passages so that fluid may flow past the plurality of separator features through the plurality of passages, each separator feature being configured to bias the reaction plates apart; an apply plate disposed adjacent to a first end of the plurality of reaction plates and a backing plate disposed adjacent to a second end of the plurality of reaction plates, the apply plate and the backing plate each having a radial section extending radially inwardly from an outer diameter and an inner section extending radially inwardly from the radial section, each of the apply plate and the backing plate defining a plurality of passages therein, each passage being defined in the radial sections; and a plurality of friction plates interleaved with the plurality of reaction plates, each friction plate being disposed radially inwardly of the radial section of each reaction plate and radially inwardly of the plurality of separator features, the plurality of friction plates being spaced apart from the plurality of separator features, each friction plate having a plurality of teeth extending from an inner diameter of the friction plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clutch plate configuration of claim 1, the clutch plate configuration being configured to move between an applied position and a released position, the clutch plate configuration further comprising: a first transmission member and a second transmission member, the plurality of friction plates being splined to the first transmission member and the plurality of reaction plates being splined to the second transmission member; an apply plate disposed adjacent to a first end of the plurality of reaction plates; and a backing plate disposed adjacent to a second end of the plurality of reaction plates. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The clutch plate configuration of claim 2, wherein each separator feature is an annular spring plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The clutch plate configuration of claim 3, each spring plate being piloted by the second transmission member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The clutch plate configuration of claim 4, the first transmission member being an inner hub and the second transmission member being a housing surrounding the plurality of friction plates, each spring plate being disposed radially outward of the plurality of friction plates. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The clutch plate configuration of claim 5, wherein the passage is one of an outer groove and an aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The clutch plate configuration of claim 6, wherein each of the reaction plates defines a plurality of passages therein, the plurality of passages being located circumferentially about a central axis and located radially outward of each friction plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The clutch plate configuration of claim 7, wherein each of the apply plate and the backing plate define a plurality of passages therein. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The clutch plate configuration of claim 8, each friction plate having friction material disposed on a face of the friction plate, the friction material defining friction material grooves formed therethrough. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The clutch plate configuration of claim 9, further comprising an actuator disposed on one side of the plurality of clutch plates, the actuator being configured to compress the plurality of clutch plates into the applied position, the actuator being one of electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic; and each passage extending radially inwardly from the spring plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The clutch plate configuration of claim 1, each separator feature being a wavy annular plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The clutch plate configuration of claim 11, each passage being defined as one of an outer groove and an aperture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The clutch plate configuration of claim 12, each friction plate having friction material disposed on a face of the friction plate, the friction material having grooves formed therethrough to allow fluid to flow past the plurality of friction plates. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The clutch plate configuration of claim 13, further comprising an actuator disposed adjacent to the apply plate, the actuator being configured to be engaged and disengaged, the actuator being one of electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic, wherein when the actuator is engaged, the actuator is configured to compress the pluralities of reaction plates and friction plates into an applied position, each separator feature being configured to assist with returning the reaction plates to a separated position when the actuator is disengaged, and wherein each passage extends radially inwardly from the separator features. ### Claim 15 A clutch plate configuration for use in an automotive transmission, the clutch plate configuration comprising: a plurality of reaction plates, each reaction plate of the plurality of reaction plates having a plurality of teeth disposed along an outer diameter, a radial section extending radially inwardly from the outer diameter, and an inner section extending radially inwardly from the radial section, each reaction plate defining a plurality of passages within the radial section of the reaction plate; a plurality of separator features interleaved with the plurality of reaction plates, each separator feature overlapping with at least one passage of the plurality of passages so that fluid may flow past the plurality of separator features through the plurality of passages, each separator feature being configured to bias the reaction plates apart; and a plurality of friction plates interleaved with the plurality of reaction plates, each friction plate being disposed radially inwardly of the radial section of each reaction plate and radially inwardly of the plurality of separator features, the plurality of friction plates being spaced apart from the plurality of separator features, each friction plate having a plurality of teeth extending from an inner diameter of the friction plate.