Pneumatic clutch actuator

A pneumatic clutch actuator for a clutch assembly, comprising:

• an actuator housing;
• a piston assembly disposed within the actuator housing and movable between a first position and a second position, the piston assembly configured to selectively change a clutch state between an engaged state and a disengaged state, the piston assembly having a piston head, an elongate member extending from the piston head, and a lock ring coupled to the elongate member;
• a bearing carrier that supports a bearing, the bearing carrier slidably disposed on a portion of the actuator housing;
• a locking element operatively connected to the piston assembly and engages the bearing carrier to adjust a total length of the piston assembly as the piston assembly moves from the second position towards the first position to compensate for wear of the clutch assembly;
• and
• a release ring connected to the actuator housing, the release ring having a collar that selectively engages the locking element in response to movement of the piston assembly from the second position to the first position, the release ring extending through a slot formed within the elongate member, wherein the collar extends from an end of the release ring, and wherein the locking element includes a first locking element end received within a groove that is defined by the elongate member and the lock ring and a second locking element end that engages the bearing carrier.