Clutch assembly and transmission
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas, Jeffrey Edward Maurer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transmission utilizes a three clutch module. The clutch module may be pre-assembled before it is assembled into the transmission. All three clutch packs are splined to a common shell at their outer diameter. One of the clutch pistons passes through openings in the clutch pack of one of the other clutches. The common shell is fixedly coupled to a hollow shaft through which the transmission input shaft protrudes. Pressurized fluid to engage the three clutches is routed through axial passageways in the input shaft.
Claims19
A clutch module comprising:
- a hollow shaft having an inner surface;
- a shell fixedly coupled to the hollow shaft;
- first, second, and third pressure plates splined to the shell;
- and
- first, second, and third pistons configured to slide axially with respect to the hollow shaft and to apply axial force directly to the first, second, and third pressure plates respectively, wherein the first piston extends through an opening in the second pressure plate.
A transmission comprising:
- an input shaft supported for rotation about a transmission axis;
- a shell supported for rotation with respect to the input shaft;
- first, second, and third pressure plates, each pressure plate having an outer edge splined to the shell;
- and
- first, second, and third pistons configured to slide axially with respect to the shell and to apply axial force to the first, second, and third pressure plates respectively.
A transmission comprising:
- an input shaft defining four axial passageways;
- a hollow shaft supported for rotation about the input shaft and defining four radial passageways;
- five seals in contact with the input shaft and with the hollow shaft to define four chambers fluidly connecting the axial passageways to respective radial passageways;
- and
- three clutches configured to couple the hollow shaft to three gears in response to fluid pressure in three of the axial passageways, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.