Centrifugally balanced rotating clutch

Claim 1

In a fluid operated rotary clutch having rotatable clutch discs and plates which are movable into frictional engagement for engaging said clutch and movable out of frictional engagement for disengaging said clutch and having fluid pressure responsive actuating means for selectively engaging and disengaging said clutch; balance means for negating the effect of centrifugally generated fluid pressure upon said actuating means, said actuating means including first separate actuator piston means movable in response to fluid pressure for causing said discs and plates to engage said clutch, said balance means including second separate balance piston means connected to and movable with said actuator piston means, said actuAtor piston means and said balance piston means being housed respectively within separate first and second axially spaced aligned chambers having substantially equal cross-sectional areas and being separated by an annular radial wall, said first and second aligned chambers being annular and the inner and outer radii of each of said first and second chambers being respectively equal, said actuating means further including a source of high pressure actuating fluid and communication means for selectively communicating said highpressure fluid to said first chamber and for selectively venting said first chamber, said separate first and second aligned annular chambers being separated by said annular radial wall, said wall being transpierced by at least one axial bore, and rod means slidably extending through said at least one axial bore and interconnecting said separate actuator piston means and said separate balance piston means for unitary axial movement thereof, said balance means further including spring means disposed between said annular radial wall and said balance piston means for urging said balance piston means axially away from said annular radial wall, said balance means further including a source of low-pressure fluid and further communication means for selectively communicating said low-pressure fluid to said second chamber and for venting fluid therefrom, said fluid operated rotary clutch further including an annular output gear for providing clutch output torque, and said first and second aligned annular chambers being disposed concentrically within said annular output gear, said fluid operated rotary clutch receiving input torque from a first shaft and said further communication means including a second passageway formed within and extending axially along said first shaft, cooling means for supplying cooling fluid to said discs and plates, said cooling means including a radial passage in communication with said second passageway formed within said first shaft and receiving coolant fluid from said source of low-pressure fluid.