Clutch-brake unit

Claim 2

In clutch-brake unit including a housing for containing a supply of oil and having first and second opposite end portions, an input shaft rotatably supported by said first end portion of said housing, an output shaft rotatably supported by said second end portion of said housing and extending in axial alignment with said input shaft, a first series of interfitting clutch plates and clutch discs within said housing, said clutch plates mounted on said input shaft for rotation therewith and the interfitting said clutch discs mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, a second series of interfitting brake plates and brake discs positioned in axially spaced relation to said first series of clutch plates and discs, said brake discs mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith and the interfitting said brake plates being supported for nonrotation by said housing, an annular actuating piston supported within said housing coaxial with said output shaft and for nonrotating axial movement, means connected to said piston for applying an axially compressive force to said first series of clutch plates and discs in response to movement of said piston in one axial direction to couple said input shaft with said output shaft, and means for applying an axially compressive force to said second series of brake plates and discs in response to movement of said piston iN the other axial direction for braking said output shaft to said housing, the improvement comprising an oil pump impeller on said output shaft and including vane means extending through said first series of clutch plates and discs and second series of brake plates and discs for supplying oil under pressure to said plates and discs upon rotation of said output shaft, said impeller having an inlet located generally between said second series of brake plates and discs and said second end portion of said housing, and means defining a passage for directing oil within said housing to said inlet of said impeller.

Claim 3

A clutch-brake unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for applying an axially compressive force include an anti-friction bearing positioned coaxially with said shafts, and said vane means of said impeller extend through said bearing.

Claim 4

A clutch-brake unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said annular actuating piston is disposed between said first series of clutch plates and discs and said second series of brake plates and discs, and said vane means of said impeller extend through said piston.

Claim 5

A clutch-brake unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said second end portion of said housing includes means defining a cylindrical chamber for receiving said piston, and said vane means of said impeller extend through said piston.

Claim 6

A clutch-brake unit as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of circumferentially spaced passages surrounding said inlet for directing oil to said impeller in a zone where centrifugal action on the oil is minimum.

Claim 7

A clutch-brake unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said second end portion of said housing includes an inwardly projecting portion cooperating to define said passages.

Claim 8

A clutch-brake unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for applying an axially compressive force include a sleeve member mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, spline means on said output shaft and supporting said sleeve member for axial movement between said first and second series of plates and discs, and said vane means of said impeller extend through said sleeve member.

Claim 9

In clutch-brake unit including a housing for containing a supply of oil and having a first and second opposite end portions, an input shaft rotatably supported by said first end portion of said housing, an output shaft rotatably supported by said second end portion of said housing and extending in axial alignment with said input shaft, a first series of interfitting clutch plates and clutch discs within said housing, said clutch plates mounted on said input shaft for rotation therewith and the interfitting said clutch discs mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, a second series of interfitting brake plates and brake discs positioned in axially spaced relation to said first series of clutch plates and discs, said brake discs mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith and the interfitting said brake plates being supported for nonrotation by said housing, an annular actuating piston supported within said housing co-axial with said output shaft and for nonrotating axial movement, means connected to said piston for applying an axially compressive force to said first series of clutch plates and discs in response to movement of said piston in one axial direction to couple said input shaft with said output shaft, and means for applying an axially compressive force to said second series of brake plates and discs in response to movement of said piston in the other axial direction for braking said output shaft to said housing, the improvement comprising an oil pump impeller on said output shaft and including vane means extending within said first series of clutch discs for supplying oil under pressure to said first series of clutch plates and discs upon rotation of said output shaft, said vane means extending along said output shaft from said first series of clutch discs and continuing within second series of brake discs for supplying oil under pressure to said second series of brake plates and discs upon rotation of said output shaft, said impeller having an inlet located generally between said second series of brake discs and said second end portion of said housing, and means defining a passage for directing oil within said housing to said inlet of said impeller.

Claim 10

In clutch-brake unit including a housing for containing a supply of oil and having a first and second opposite end portions, an input shaft rotatably supported by said first end portion of said housing, an output shaft rotatably supported by said second end portion of said housing and extending in axial alignment with said input shaft, a first series of interfitting clutch plates and clutch discs within said housing, said clutch plates mounted on said input shaft for rotation therewith and the interfitting said clutch discs mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, a second series of interfitting brake plates and brake discs positioned in axially spaced relation to said first series of clutch plates and discs, said brake discs mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith and the interfitting said brake plates being supported for nonrotation by said housing, an annular actuating piston supported within said housing co-axial with said output shaft and for nonrotating axial movement, means connected to said piston for applying an axially compressive force to said first series of clutch plates and discs in response to movement of said piston in one axial direction to couple said input shaft with said output shaft, and means for applying an axially compressive force to said second series of brake plates and discs in response to movement of said piston in the other axial direction for braking said output shaft to said housing, the improvement comprising an oil pump impeller on said output shaft and including vane means extending within said first series of clutch discs for supplying oil under pressure to said first series of clutch plates and discs upon rotation of said output shaft, said vane means extending along said output shaft from said first series of clutch discs and continuing within second series of brake discs for supplying oil under pressure to said second series of brake plates and discs upon rotation of said output shaft, said impeller having an inlet located generally between said second series of brake discs and said second end portion of said housing, and means defining a passage for directing oil within said housing to said inlet of said impeller.