Separator spring for clutch plate separation and stabilization

A clutch assembly comprising

• a plurality of friction plates,
• a plurality of reaction plates interposed between the friction plates,
• an actuator configured to act on the reaction plates to urge the reaction plates together to engage the friction plates to transfer torque from the reaction plates to the friction plates, and
• a separator spring configured to be coupled to the plurality of reaction plates or the plurality of friction plates, the separator spring including (i) a plurality of first portions, each of the first portions engaged with a different one of the plurality of plates and comprising a clamp and a pair of grips coupled to the clamp, the grips engaging surfaces on opposite faces of a plate, and (ii) a plurality of second portions coupled to the first portions, the second portions biased to maintain a predetermined first distance between the first portions when the actuator is de-energized and deflectable to a second distance smaller than the first distance when the actuator is energized.