US 9,284,993 B1 · Clutch assembly with dual actuation piston

Abstract

A clutch assembly includes a fluid-actuated piston that allows clutch usage in both high pressure and low pressure applications. The configuration of the clutch assembly allows the piston to be used with different seal arrangements. These different seal configurations create differently sized piston surface areas against which the inlet pressure will act to drive the piston. The ability to change the size of the affected piston surface areas allows for the piston to receive essentially the same driving force under both high pressure and low pressure applications. Thus, the clutch assembly enables use of high hydraulic pressure (e.g., 320 psi) in combination with a seal arrangement that creates a small piston-driving surface area, and also use of low pneumatic pressure (e.g., 120 psi) with a seal arrangement that creates a large piston-driving surface area.

An apparatus comprising:

a clutch assembly structure arrangement,
wherein the arrangement includes housing structure,
wherein the housing structure includes at least one fluid inlet,
wherein the at least one fluid inlet is configured to respectively receive both hydraulic fluid and pneumatic fluid,
wherein the arrangement includes a plurality of discs that are rotatable about an axis,
wherein the discs include at least one separator disc and at least one friction disc,
wherein the arrangement includes a fluid pressure-activated piston,
wherein the piston includes a plurality of annular seal recesses,
wherein each respective seal recess is configured to hold a seal,
wherein the plurality of annular seal recesses include an outer seal recess, an intermediate seal recess, and an inner seal recess,
wherein the inner seal recess is in a flow path with the at least one fluid inlet at a position that is located downstream from the intermediate seal recess,
wherein the position causes the inner seal recess to be in flow communication with the at least one fluid inlet only when the intermediate seal recess is without a seal,
wherein the plurality of annular seal recesses allow the piston to be used with different arrangements of seals,
wherein the piston includes a plurality of axially extending piston surfaces,
wherein the plurality of axially extending piston surfaces include an outer piston surface which comprises the outer seal recess, an intermediate piston surface which comprises the intermediate seal recess, and an inner piston surface which comprises the inner seal recess,
wherein the outer piston surface is radially spaced from the intermediate piston surface,
wherein at least one first radially extending piston surface is located between the outer piston surface and the intermediate piston surface,
wherein the at least one first radially extending piston surface forms a first annular surface area against which fluid pressure is axially appliable to the piston,
wherein the intermediate piston surface is radially spaced from the inner piston surface,
wherein at least one second radially extending piston surface is located between the intermediate piston surface and the inner piston surface,
wherein the at least one second radially extending piston surface forms a second annular surface area against which fluid pressure is axially appliable to the piston,
wherein the piston is located adjacent to the housing structure,
wherein the piston is configured to axially move relative to the housing structure while in sealed engagement with the housing structure,
wherein the piston is axially movable in a first direction relative to the housing structure, responsive to pressure received through the at least one fluid inlet,
wherein axial movement of the piston in the first direction is operative to impart an axial directed engagement force to the discs,
wherein when the at least one fluid inlet receives a relatively high pressure of 320 psi with hydraulic fluid and both the outer seal recess and the intermediate seal recess respectively holding a seal, then the arrangement causes:
the high pressure to be in fluid communication with the first annular surface area but not the second annular surface area, and
the piston to receive a first applied total force that imparts axial movement to the piston in the first direction;
wherein when the at least one fluid inlet receives a relatively low pressure of 120 psi with pneumatic fluid and both the outer seal recess and the inner seal recess respectively holding a seal but the intermediate seal recess absent a seal, then the arrangement causes:
the low pressure to be in fluid communication with both the first annular surface area and the second annular surface area, and
the piston to receive a second applied total force that imparts axial movement to the piston in the first direction,
wherein the second applied total force substantially equals the first applied total force.

29 more elements

Clutch assembly with dual actuation piston

Life of this patent

Clutch assembly with dual actuation piston

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20