Wet type friction clutch

Claim 1

A friction clutch arrangement comprising, in combination: a. an input member; b. an output shaft, said member and said shaft being mounted for rotation about a common axis; c. friction elements mounted on said member and on said shaft respectively; d. yieldably resilient pressure means axially biassing said elements toward torque transmitting engagement for thereby coupling said shaft to said member; e. a radially extending clutcH disengaging member having a radially central portion pivotally secured to said input member for rotation therewith of said clutch disengaging member and for axial movement of a radially inner terminal portion thereof relative to said input member, and a radially outer terminal portion; f. means operatively connecting said radially outer terminal portion of the disengaging member to said pressure means for deactivating said pressure means and for thereby permitting disengagement of said elements in response to said axial movement; g. a stationary tubular support coaxially enveloping said shaft; h. a sleeve member axially slidable and rotatable on said support about said axis; i. an abutment member fixedly fastened to said sleeve member and formed with a circumferentially closed recess, said recess being open radially outward and axially toward said friction elements, the radially inner terminal portion of the clutch disengaging member being received in said recess for joint rotation and joint axial movement therewith; j. a pump housing extending about said sleeve member; k. bearing means interposed between said pump housing and said sleeve member for axially securing said housing and said sleeve member to each other while permitting relative rotation about said axis; l. an externally toothed first gear fixedly and coaxially fastened to said sleeve member and enclosed in said pump housing; m. an internally toothed second gear having a pitch diameter substantially greater than the pitch diameter of said first gear, said second gear meshingly engaging said first gear in said pump housing; n. partition means interposed between said gears in said pump housing and defining a suction compartment and a compression compartment; o. conduit means for connecting said suction compartment to a source of liquid lubricant; p. nozzle means communicating with said compression compartment for discharging said lubricant toward said friction elements; and q. operating means for axially moving said pump housing while preventing rotation thereof about said axis.