Double friction clutch with individual control

A friction clutch assembly for independently controlling transmission of drive to a pair of concentric output shafts comprising a first driven plate adapted to be mounted on the inner output shaft so as to be capable of transmitting torsional loads thereto while being free to move axially;

• a first pressure plate mounted co-axially with the first driven plate for engagement of a frictional surface thereof;
• a reaction plate mounted co-axially of the first driven plate and first pressure plate and spaced axially thereof;
• a second driven plate mounted co-axially of the reaction plate and adapted to be mounted on the outer output shaft so as to be capable of transmitting torsional loads thereto while being free to move axially thereof;
• a second pressure plate mounted co-axially of the second driven plate for engagement of a frictional surface thereof;
• first and second cover members mounted co-axially of one another;
• first spring means acting between the first cover member and the second pressure plate to urge the second pressure plate and second driven plate against the reaction plate, thereby applying a clamping load to the second driven plate;
• second spring means acting between the second cover member and an annular pressing having a series of circumferentially separated axially extending arcuate fingers which extend through corresponding arcuate apertures in the first cover member and reaction plate and engage in a groove in the first pressure plate to urge the first pressure plate towards the first driven plate and apply a clamping load to the first driven plate;
• and individual means associated with each of the first and second spring means for relieving the load applied thereby to remove the clamping load applied to the associated driven plate;
• means being provided to drivingly interconnect said first and second cover members and fix them axially with respect to said reaction plate, said first and second pressure plates being drivingly interconnected with said reaction plate, first cover member and second cover member by means which will permit limited axial movement of each pressure plate relative thereto.