Multi-clutch system with blended output system for powertrain transmissions

An automotive clutch system rotatable about a central axis responsive to external stimuli comprising:

• a plurality of disk stacks, each disk stack disposed to transfer torque from a torque input to an output shaft;
• a pressure chamber associated with each disk stack, each pressure chamber having a fluid supply and a pressure piston, the pressure piston disposed to reversibly engage and actuate the disk stack transferring torque from the torque input to the output shaft when the pressure chamber is pressurized by the fluid supply;
• a balance chamber associated with each pressure piston, the balance chamber having a fluid supply, the balance chamber disposed to exert a compensating fluid pressure against the pressure piston in opposition to fluid pressure in the first pressure chamber induced by centrifugal forces resulting from the rotation of the clutch assembly;
• each balance chamber in fluid communication with a fluid supply, the fluid supply disposed to provide a gravity assisted flow to the balance chamber under low flow conditions effective to maintain a compensating fluid pressure in the balance chamber offsetting the fluid pressure in the first chamber induced by the centrifugal forces;
• each disk stack in communication with a control system disposed to signal the simultaneous transfer of an amount of torque through each disk stack to an associated transmission gear ratio;
• the amount of torque transferred through each disk stack sufficient to produce an effective gear ratio output to a drivetrain in response to the external stimuli;
• the effective gear ratio within a range defined by the first and the second transmission gear ratios.

A method for operating a clutch system for a driven assembly in response to stimuli external to the system comprising the following steps:

• providing a plurality of independently operable clutch friction assemblies reversibly engageable to transfer torque from a torque input source to a plurality of transmission gear ratios in operative relation to a drivetrain,
• providing at least a first and a second friction assembly in operative relation with a first and a second transmission gear ratio;
• the transmission gear ratios disposed to combine the torque transferred by each friction assembly providing an effective gear ratio output to the drivetrain;
• providing each friction assembly with a control system disposed to signal the simultaneous transfer of an amount of torque through each friction assembly to its associated transmission gear ratio;
• providing a signal in response to the external stimuli to each friction assembly indicating the amount of torque to be transferred through the assembly to produce an effective gear ratio output to the drivetrain within a range defined by the first and the second transmission gear ratios.

A method of launching a vehicle to a predetermined wheel speed comprising:

• providing a transmission system having a plurality of independently operable friction assemblies and a plurality of gear ratio elements for providing an effective gear ratio output to a drivetrain to accelerate the vehicle;
• at launch engaging a first friction assembly in the transmission system associated with a first gear element having a predetermined gear ratio to transmit a majority of torque to the drive train;
• at launch engaging a second friction assembly in the transmission system associated with a second gear element having a gear ratio lower than the predetermined gear ratio for transmitting a minority of the torque to the drive train;
• providing an effective gear ratio of torque transfer to the drive train that is lower than the first gear ratio and greater than the second gear ratio;
• and varying the effective gear ratio to accelerate the vehicle at a desired rate determined by an operator or a control system.