Device for transmitting torque between two rotatable shafts

A device for transmitting torque between two rotatable, coaxial shaft members (1, 2) in a stationary housing (4), the device containing a number of alternate clutch discs (11, 12) connected to the two shaft members and engageable to counteract differential rotational speed between the shaft members, at least one hydraulic clutch piston (14) to engage the clutch discs, and a hydraulic pump arrangement (1', 18-21, 11", 14-17;

• 1', 18-21, 14-17, 33-38), driven by the speed differential between the two shaft members to create a hydraulic pressure on the clutch piston,
• characterized in that the hydraulic pump arrangement (1', 18-21, 11", 14-17;
• 1', 18-21, 14-17, 33-38) includes
• a supply piston (18) and the clutch piston (14), both axially movable in the housing (4) coaxially with the shaft members (1, 2),
• piston actuating members (17, 21) rotatable with one of the shaft members (2) and engaging the other of the shaft members (1) via cams (1', 11";
• 1', 33'), which are angularly offset in relation to each other, so as to impart to the pistons a reciprocating movement at a differential rotational speed between the shaft members, and
• a hydraulic line system (25, 27, 29, 31) connecting a cylinder (23) at the supply piston (18) on one hand with a tank (24) via a check valve (26) and on the other hand--via a line (27) with a check valve (28)--with an outlet line (31) and connecting a cylinder (30) at the clutch piston (14) with the outlet line, wherein the piston actuating members are rollers (17, 21) rotatably arranged in a radial flange of one of the shaft members (2) and cooperating with its respective, ring-shaped piston (14, 18) by means of a ring (16, 20) and an axial bearing (15, 19).

A device for transmitting torque between two rotatable, coaxial shaft members (1, 2) in a stationary housing (4), the device containing a number of alternate clutch discs (11, 12) connected to the two shaft members and engageable to counteract differential rotational speed between the shaft members, at least one hydraulic clutch piston (14) to engage the clutch discs, and a hydraulic pump arrangement (1', 18-21, 11", 14-17;

• 1', 18-21, 14-17, 33-38), driven by the speed differential between the two shaft members to create a hydraulic pressure on the clutch piston,
• characterized in that the hydraulic pump arrangement (1', 18-21, 11", 14-17;
• 1', 18-21, 14-17, 33-38) includes
• a supply piston (18) and the clutch piston (14), both axially movable in the housing (4) coaxially with the shaft members (1, 2),
• piston actuating members (17, 21) rotatable with one of the shaft members (2) and engaging the other of the shaft members (1) via cams (1', 11";
• 1', 33'), which are angularly offset in relation to each other, so as to impart to the pistons a reciprocating movement at a differential rotational speed between the shaft members, and
• a hydraulic line system (25, 27, 29, 31) connecting a cylinder (23) at the supply piston (18) on one hand with a tank (24) via a check valve (26) and on the other hand--via a line (27) with a check valve (28)--with an outlet line (31) and connecting a cylinder (30) at the clutch piston (14) with the outlet line, wherein the clutch piston (14) has members (17) cooperating with cams (11") on a cam ring (11') engaging the clutch discs (11, 12) (FIG. 1).