Clutched power transmitting device with reduced lag time for actuation

A power transmitting component comprising:

• a friction clutch having a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates that are interleaved with the first clutch plates;
• a reservoir configured to hold a hydraulic fluid;
• a hydraulic ram coupled to the friction clutch, the hydraulic ram having a piston chamber and a piston that is movable in the piston chamber between a first position which is retracted relative to the first and second clutch plates, and a second position in which the piston is extended toward the first and second clutch plates to a greater extent than when the piston is in the first position;
• a pump having a first inlet/outlet and a second inlet/outlet, the first inlet/outlet coupled for fluid communication to the reservoir, and the second inlet/outlet coupled for fluid communication with the piston chamber;
• a fluid storage device configured to hold a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid;
• and
• a valve disposed between the fluid storage device and the piston chamber, the valve including a first valve element and a second valve element, the valve being selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein when the valve is in the first mode, the first valve element inhibits fluid communication from the fluid storage device to the piston chamber and permits fluid communication from the second inlet/outlet to the fluid storage device, and wherein when the valve is in the second mode, the second valve element inhibits fluid communication from the second inlet/outlet to the fluid storage device and permits fluid communication from the fluid storage device to the piston chamber.

A power transmitting component comprising:

• a friction clutch having a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates that are interleaved with the first clutch plates;
• a reservoir configured to hold a hydraulic fluid;
• a hydraulic ram coupled to the friction clutch, the hydraulic ram having a piston chamber and a piston that is movable in the piston chamber between a first position which is retracted relative to the first and second clutch plates, and a second position in which the piston is extended toward the first and second clutch plates to a greater extent than when the piston is in the first position;
• a pump having a first inlet/outlet and a second inlet/outlet, the first inlet/outlet coupled for fluid communication to the reservoir, and the second inlet/outlet coupled for fluid communication with the piston chamber;
• a fluid storage device configured to hold a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid;
• a fluid control system disposed between the fluid storage device and the piston chamber, wherein the fluid control system includes a switchable valve that is switchable between a first mode and a second mode, wherein when the switchable valve is in the first mode, the fluid control system is configured to maintain pressurized hydraulic fluid within the fluid storage device while the piston is moved from the second position to the first position, wherein when the switchable valve is in the second mode, the fluid control system is configured to release the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the piston chamber while the piston is moved from the first position to the second position to supplement a flowrate of the pump to the piston chamber;
• wherein the fluid control system further includes a first one-way valve that permits fluid communication from the second inlet/outlet to the fluid storage device and inhibits fluid communication from the fluid storage device to the piston chamber and the second inlet/outlet;
• wherein when the switchable valve is in the first mode, fluid communication through the switchable valve from the fluid storage device to the piston chamber is inhibited and fluid communication through the switchable valve from the piston chamber to the fluid storage device is inhibited;
• wherein when the switchable valve is in the second mode, the switchable valve permits fluid communication from the fluid storage device to the piston chamber and inhibits fluid communication from the piston chamber and the second inlet/outlet to the fluid storage device.

A power transmitting component comprising:

• a friction clutch having a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates that are interleaved with the first clutch plates;
• a reservoir configured to hold a hydraulic fluid;
• a hydraulic ram coupled to the friction clutch, the hydraulic ram having a piston chamber and a piston that is movable in the piston chamber between a first position which is retracted relative to the first and second clutch plates, and a second position in which the piston is extended toward the first and second clutch plates to a greater extent than when the piston is in the first position;
• a pump having a first inlet/outlet and a second inlet/outlet, the first inlet/outlet coupled for fluid communication to the reservoir, and the second inlet/outlet coupled for fluid communication with the piston chamber;
• a fluid storage device configured to hold a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid;
• and
• a fluid control system disposed between the fluid storage device and the piston chamber, wherein the fluid control system includes a switchable valve that is switchable between a first mode and a second mode, wherein when the switchable valve is in the first mode, the fluid control system is configured to maintain pressurized hydraulic fluid within the fluid storage device while the piston is moved from the second position to the first position, wherein when the switchable valve is in the second mode, the fluid control system is configured to release the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the piston chamber while the piston is moved from the first position to the second position to supplement a flowrate of the pump to the piston chamber;
• wherein the switchable valve is configured to inhibit fluid communication from the second inlet/outlet to the fluid storage device when a pressure of the piston chamber is less than a predetermined pressure.