Bi-directional clutch unit

#The present invention relates to drive units incorporating a clutch. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-contained hydraulic clutch unit that can be driven in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

#Oil shear brake and clutch units have been developed to eliminate the problems associated with the dry friction type of units. Properly designed oil shear clutch or brake drives offer the advantage of little or no wear of the friction plates in the disk stacks and no fading. These oil shear units thus provide a more precise operation of the machine tool and dramatically increase the machine tool's up-time. The oil film between the adjacent friction plates carries the heat generated by the starting and stopping of the machine tool away from the friction plate stacks. This removal of heat offers the advantage that there is now no practical limit in the disengage/engage rate or in the speed of the input device.

#Oil shear clutch units are utilized to intermittently transfer rotational power from a continuously rotating input shaft to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to the input of a machine tool. The clutch unit is normally operating in a disengaged condition. The input shaft is rotating with respect to the output shaft and there is no power being transmitted through the clutch unit. When a control system gives a command to operate the machine tool, the clutch unit is engaged to lock the input shaft to the output shaft and transmit power through the clutch unit.

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the clutch unit in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the hydraulic control system for the clutch unit shown in FIG. 1; and

#The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

#Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 a clutch unit in accordance with the present invention and which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. Clutch unit 10 comprises a main housing 12, a fan housing 14, an actuation assembly 16, an input shaft 18, an output shaft 20, a clutch assembly 22 and a control block assembly 24.

#Main housing 12 defines a chamber 30 which is filled to a specified level with hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid within chamber 30 lubricates all of the moving components of clutch unit 10 as well as providing the hydraulic fluid for engaging clutch unit 10 as is detailed below. Main housing 12 also defines a cavity 32 within which is mounted a bearing 34. Bearing 34 rotatably supports input shaft 18 as detailed below.