Clutch unit

Claim 2

In a clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting spaced, generally coaxially arranged rotatably driving and driven elements, a first generally cylindrical hub member adapted to be fixedly secured to and be rotatable with one of said elements, a second generally cylindrical hub member spaced axially away from said first hub member and adapted to be fixedly secured to and be rotatable with the other of said elements, a clutch assembly adapted to be interposed between said hub members, said clutch assembly comprising, a clutch hub member arranged generally coaxially of said elements and fixedly secured to one of said first mentioned hub members, said clutch hub member having a first plurality of friction discs non-rotatably secured thereto, a driven ring member arranged concentrically of and spaced radially outwardly from said clutch hub member, said driven ring member being fixedly secured to the other of said first mentioned hub members and having a second plurality of friction discs nonrotatably secured thereto, said first and second pluralities of friction discs being axially movable to drivingly connect said clutch hub member and said driven ring member, actuating means movable axially of said assembly for selectively axially moving said friction discs including means providing a source of fluid for operating said actuating means and for providing fluid circulation between and around said friction discs to minimize wear and effect cooling thereof, and means for removing said clutch assembly as a unit including said clutch hub member and ring member from its normal operative position interjacent said first and second hub members without requiring displacement of said first and second hub members or said driving and driven elements.

Claim 3

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 1 which includes means providing a common source of fluid for operating said actuating means and for providing said fluid for circulation between and around the said friction discs.

Claim 4

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second pluralities of friction discs are alternatively disposed axiaLly of said clutch hub member.

Claim 5

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch hub member is fixedly secured to said first hub member and said driven ring member is fixedly secured to said second hub member.

Claim 6

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 1 which includes a housing substantially enclosing said clutch assembly and providing a fluid reservoir.

Claim 7

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 5 which includes means preventing fluid egress between the outer periphery of said first and second hub members and said enclosure.

Claim 8

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuating means is carried on said clutch hub member and is movable axially thereof in response to preselected application of fluid pressure thereto.

Claim 9

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 1 which includes means providing fluid passages extending axially of said clutch assembly for communicating actuating fluid to said actuating means and cooling fluid to said friction discs.

Claim 10

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 8 which includes first and second axially extending fluid passages formed in said clutch hub member, which includes an oil seal ring carried on one of said hub members and communicable with said passages, and means communicating actuating and cooling fluid from said source thereof to said oil seal ring.

Claim 11

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 1 which includes means providing formations on said friction discs, said clutch hub and said driven ring for non-rotatably securing said first plurality of friction discs to said clutch hub and said second plurality of friction discs to said driven ring.

Claim 12

In a clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting a pair of generally coaxially arranged, axially spaced apart shafts, a pair of generally cylindrically shaped hub elements adapted to be fixedly secured one on each of the shafts, said hub elements comprising axially spaced confronting end portions, a clutch assembly adapted to be operatively mounted between said end portions for drivingly connecting said hub elements, said clutch assembly comprising, a first generally cylindrical member fixedly secured at one end thereof to one of said end portions, a second generally cylindrical member arranged concentrically of said first member and fixedly secured at one end thereof to the other of said end portions, a plurality of friction discs extending radially between said cylindrical members, with some of said discs being non-rotatably secured to one of said members and other of said discs being non-rotatably secured to the other of said members, and actuating means for selectively biasing said discs into driving relation with one another, means defining a pair of axially spaced shoulders on said hub elements for cooperatively receiving opposite axial ends of said second cylindrical member, and means for selectively securing said second cylindrical member to one of said hub elements during normal operation of said clutch assembly and to the other of said hub elements to permit said assembly to be withdrawn from said clutch unit, at least one of said members being axially movable relative to said hub elements to permit said assembly to be withdrawn from between said hub elements without necessitating movement of said hub elements and said shafts.

Claim 13

In a clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting a pair of generally coaxially arranged, axially spaced apart shafts, a pair of generally cylindrically shaped hub elements adapted to be fixedly secured one on each of the shafts, said hub elements comprising axially spaced confronting end portions, a clutch assembly adapted to be operatively mounted between said end portions for drivingly connecting said hub elements, said clutch assembly comprising, a first generally cylindrical member fixedly secured at one end thereof to one of said end portions, a second generally cylindrical member arranged concentrically of said first member and fixedly secured at one end thereof to the other of said end portions, a plurality of friction discs extending radially between said cylindrical members, with some of said discs being non-rotatably secured to one of said members and other of said discs being non-rotatably secured to the other of said members, and actuating means for selectively biasing said discs into driving relation with one another, means defining a pair of axially spaced shoulders on said hub elements for cooperatively receiving opposite axial ends of said second cylindrical member, and means for selectively securing said second cylindrical member to one of said hub elements during normal operation of said clutch assembly and to the other of said hub elements to permit said assembly to be withdrawn from said clutch unit, at least one of said members being axially movable relative to said hub elements to permit said assembly to be withdrawn from between said hub elements without necessitating movement of said hub elements and said shafts.

Claim 14

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 11 which includes first attachment means securing one end of said second cylindrical member to one of said hub elements and second attachment means adapted to secure the opposite end of said second cylindrical member to the other of said hub elements.

Claim 15

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 11 wherein said actuating means comprises an annular, axially movable member carried on said first cylindrical member.

Claim 16

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 11 which includes means providing fluid passages extending axially of said clutch assembly for communicating actuating fluid to said actuating means and cooling fluid to said friction discs.

Claim 17

A clutch unit as set forTh in claim 11 which includes means providing formations on said friction discs, and said first and second cylindrical members for non-rotatably securing said first plurality of friction discs to said members.

Claim 18

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 15 which includes first and second axially extending fluid passages formed in one of said cylindrical members, which includes an oil seal ring carried on one of said hub elements and communicable with said passages, and means communicating actuating and cooling fluid from said source thereof to said oil seal ring.

Claim 19

A clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting a pair of generally coaxially aligned, axially spaced shafts, said unit comprising an enclosure having spaced side portions through which the shafts project, a pair of generally cylindrically shaped hub elements fixedly secured one to each of said shafts, means preventing fluid egress between said hub elements and said enclosure, said hub elements comprising axially spaced confronting end portions, a clutch assembly adapted to be operatively mounted between said end portions for selectively drivingly connecting said hub elements, said clutch assembly comprising, a generally cylindrically shaped clutch hub, means defining a first generally radially disposed shoulder extending around the outer periphery of said clutch hub, first attachment means securing said last mentioned means and said clutch hub to said end portion of one of said hub elements, a driven ring spaced radially outwardly from said clutch hub and arranged generally concentrically thereof, means defining a second generally axially extending shoulder on said end portion of the other of said hub elements and adapted for engagement with one end of said driven ring, second attachment means for securing said one end of said driven ring to said other hub element, a plurality of torque transmitting discs extending radially between the outer periphery of said clutch hub and the inner periphery of said driven ring, with some of said discs being non-rotatably secured to said clutch hub and other of said discs being non-rotatably secured to said driven ring, an actuating member for biasing said discs into driving relation, and means for axially shifting said driven ring between a first position wherein said one end thereof is engaged with said second shoulder, and a second position wherein the opposite end of said driven ring is engaged with said first shoulder, whereby to permit removal of said clutch assembly without requiring movement of said hub elements and said shafts.

Claim 20

A clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting a pair of generally coaxially aligned, axially spaced shafts, said unit comprising an enclosure having spaced side portions through which the shafts project, a pair of generally cylindrically shaped hub elements fixedly secured one to each of said shafts, means preventing fluid egress between said hub elements and said enclosure, said hub elements comprising axially spaced confronting end portions, a clutch assembly adapted to be operatively mounted between said end portions for selectively drivingly connecting said hub elements, said clutch assembly comprising, a generally cylindrically shaped clutch hub, means defining a first generally radially disposed shoulder extending around the outer periphery of said clutch hub, first attachment means securing said last mentioned means and said clutch hub to said end portion of one of said hub elements, a driven ring spaced radially outwardly from said clutch hub and arranged generally concentrically thereof, means defining a second generally axially extending shoulder on said end portion of the other of said hub elements and adapted for engagement with one end of said driven ring, second attachment means for securing said one end of said driven ring to said other hub element, a plurality of torque transmitting discs extending radially between the outer periphery of said clutch hub and the inner periphery of said driven ring, with some of said discs being non-rotatably secured to said clutch hub and other of said discs being non-rotatably secured to said driven ring, an actuating member for biasing said discs into driving relation, and means for axially shifting said driven ring between a first position wherein said one end thereof is engaged with said second shoulder, and a second position wherein the opposite end of said driven ring is engaged with said first shoulder, whereby to permit removal of said clutch assembly without requiring movement of said hub elements and said shafts.

Claim 21

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 17 wherein said enclosure includes means providing a fluid reservoir.

Claim 22

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 17 wherein a portion of said enclosure is removable to permit removal of said clutch assembly from said unit.

Claim 23

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 17 which includes means defining at least one axially extending aperture on said driven ring, and which includes attachment means extending between the adjacent of said hub elements and said aperture for securing said driven ring thereto.

Claim 24

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 17 which includes means providing fluid passages extending axially of said clutch assembly for communicating actuating fluid to said actuating member and cooling fluid to said friction discs.

Claim 25

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 21 which includes first and second axially extending fluid passages formed in said clutch hub, which includes an oil seal ring carried on one of said hub elements and communicable with said passages, and means communicating actuating and cooling fluid from said source thereof to said oil seal ring.

Claim 26

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 17 which includes means providing formations on said friction discs, said clutch hub and said driven ring for non-rotatably securing a first plurality of friction discs to said clutch hub and a second pluRality of friction discs to said driven ring.

Claim 27

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 23 wherein said plurality of friction discs are splined to said clutch hub and said driven ring.

Claim 28

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 17 wherein said actuating member is axially slidably carried upon said clutch hub and is actuatable in response to preselected fluid pressure applied thereto.

Claim 29

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 17 wherein the diameter of said first and second shoulders are approximately equal.

Claim 30

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 26 wherein the inner diameter of said driven ring is approximately equal to the diameter of said shoulders.

Claim 31

A clutch unit as set forth in claim 22 which includes a plurality of fluid flow orifices communicating fluid from one of said axial passages to said friction discs for communicating fluid thereto.

Claim 32

In a clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting spaced, generally coaxially arranged rotatably driving and driven elements, a housing defining a fluid reservoir, a first generally cylindrical hub member at least partially located in said reservoir adapted to be fixedly secured to and be rotatable with one of said elements, a second generally cylindrical hub member adapted to be fixedly secured to and be rotatable with the other of said elements and spaced axially away from said first hub member, said second hub member also at least partially located in said reservoir; clutch means located in said reservoir for drivingly connecting said first and second hub members; actuating means associated with said clutch means for selectively drivingly engaging and disengaging said driving and driven elements; and fluid passage means for introducing a fluid media to said clutch means, said passage means including a stationary seal ring supported by one of said hub members, manifold means immovably supported by said housing for receiving said fluid media; and fluid conduit means having opposite ends in fluid communication with said seal ring and said manifold means, said conduit means being fixedly connected to one of said ring and manifold means and movably connected relative to the other whereby to compensate for misalignment between said driving and driven elements.

Claim 33

In a clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting spaced, generally coaxially arranged rotatably driving and driven elements, a housing defining a fluid reservoir, a first generally cylindrical hub member at least partially located in said reservoir adapted to be fixedly secured to and be rotatable with one of said elements, a second generally cylindrical hub member adapted to be fixedly secured to and be rotatable with the other of said elements and spaced axially away from said first hub member, said second hub member also at least partially located in said reservoir; clutch means located in said reservoir for drivingly connecting said first and second hub members; actuating means associated with said clutch means for selectively drivingly engaging and disengaging said driving and driven elements; and fluid passage means for introducing a fluid media to said clutch means, said passage means including a stationary seal ring supported by one of said hub members, manifold means immovably supported by said housing for receiving said fluid media; and fluid conduit means having opposite ends in fluid communication with said seal ring and said manifold means, said conduit means being fixedly connected to one of said ring and manifold means and movably connected relative to the other whereby to compensate for misalignment between said driving and driven elements.

Claim 34

The clutch unit as set forth in claim 29 wherein said manifold means includes a first member adapted to be connected to a source of said fluid media, a second member having a bore in fluid communication with said first member and slidably connected thereto, and wherein said conduit means is slidably located in said bore whereby said conduit means is free to move radially relative to said elements to compensate for radial misalignment and said second member is slidable axially to compensate for axial misalignment.

Claim 35

The clutch unit as set forth in claim 29 wherein said manifold means provides a common source of fluid media for operating said actuating means and for providing said fluid media for circulation between and around said clutch means.

Claim 36

The clutch unit as set forth in claim 29 wherein said actuating means is carried on said clutch means and is movable axially thereof in response to preselected application of pressurized fluid media.