Semi-active clutch assembly

A sheet separator for use in sheet separating assembly for breaking down multifeeds of two or more overlapping sheets, the assembly advancing a multifeed having a first and a second opposed outside surfaces in a feed direction along a sheet path, the sheet separator comprising:

• (a) a plurality of rotatable separator rollers each adapted for rotation by the second surface of the multifeed, said plurality of rotatable separator rollers each being mounted for independent rotation in the feed direction and the counterfeed direction;
• (b) a plurality of recoil mechanisms each associated with a respective rotatable separator roller of said plurality of rotatable separator rollers, each of said plurality of recoil mechanisms for accepting rotational energy, for biasing said respective separator roller to rotate in the counterfeed direction, when said respective separator roller is rotated in the feed direction by advancement of the second surface of the multifeed in the feed direction, each recoil mechanism comprising a drag to resist rotation of said respective separator rollers in the feed direction responsive to forward movement of said multifeed;
• and
• (c) a replaceable roller sleeve having an outer, generally cylindrical surface positioned to frictionally engage the second surface of the multifeed and an inner, generally cylindrical, surface engaging said plurality of rotatable separator rollers.