Clutch and brake latch mechanism

A clutch comprising:

• a first piston;
• a first fluid chamber at least partially formed by the first piston, wherein the first piston is displaceable by pressure in the first fluid chamber to operate a clutch pack;
• a second piston;
• a second fluid chamber at least partially formed by the first and second pistons and separate from the first chamber, wherein the second piston is displaceable by fluid pressure in the second fluid chamber;
• at least one ball displaceable by the second piston, wherein the at least one ball is displaceable to axially fix the first piston to close the clutch pack when the second fluid chamber is pressurized, wherein, in response to a loss of fluid pressure in the second chamber, the second piston is displaceable to enable displacement of the at least one ball to open the clutch pack, and wherein the at least one ball remains axially fixed when the pressure in the first fluid chamber is removed and the second chamber remains pressurized.

A method of operating a clutch comprising the steps of:

• applying fluid pressure to a first fluid chamber partially formed by first and second pistons;
• axially displacing the first piston to engage and displace a locking means;
• fixing the locking means using the first piston;
• axially displacing the second piston to close the clutch pack;
• and,
• holding, with the locking means, the clutch pack in a closed position.

A method of operating a clutch comprising the steps of:

• applying a first fluid pressure to a first fluid chamber partially formed by a first piston;
• axially displacing the first piston to close a clutch pack;
• applying a second fluid pressure to a second fluid chamber, separate from the first fluid chamber, partially formed by the first piston and a second piston;
• axially displacing the second piston to engage and displace at least one ball;
• fixing the at least one ball using the second piston;
• axially fixing, with the at least one ball, the first piston to hold the clutch pack in a closed position;
• removing the pressure in the first fluid chamber while maintaining pressure in the second fluid chamber;
• and,
• maintaining, using the second piston, an engagement of the at least one ball and the first piston to hold the clutch pack in the closed position.