Remote-activated, power shift clutch assembly with positive locking

Claim 2

In a shift mechanism for controlling engagement and disengagement between a first rotatable drive member and a second member to be driven, the improvement comprising: shift means including a plurality of annular non-rotatable pressure chambers arranged in juxtaposed relation to one another including chamber walls shiftable in response to changes in differential pressure between said pressure chambers; and shift-actuating means including means for applying pressure to each of said pressure chambers whereby to regulate the differential pressure between said chambers to reversibly shift said chamber walls toward and away from said member to be driven, said drive member following the displacement of said chamber walls into and out of engagement with said member to be driven.

Claim 3

In a shift mechanism according to claim 1, including first releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said drive member in engaged relation to said member to be driven and second releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said drive member in disengaged relation to said member to be driven.

Claim 4

In a shift mechanism according to claim 2, including release means for releasing either of said first or second locking means from their locked positions in response to changes in differential pressure between said pressure chambers.

Claim 5

In a shift mechanism according to claim 1, said shaft means having a stationary, radially extending divider wall between juxtaposed of said pressure chambers, said shiftable chamber walls displaceable in an axial direction toward and away from said divider wall in response to changes in differential pressure in said pressure chambers.

Claim 6

In a shift mechanism according to claim 4, said shift means including an outer fixed tubular wall, said divider wall extending in an inward radial direction from said fixed tubular wall, and an inner tubular wall extending between said chamber walls and slidable in an axial direction in sealed relation to said divider wall.

Claim 7

In a shift mechanism according to claim 5, said inner tubular wall and said chamber walls being of unitary construction and of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, and sealing means between said chamber walls and said outer fixed tubular wall.

Claim 8

In a shift mechanism according to claim 6, said pressure applying means including valve means in fluid communication with each of said pressure chambers.

Claim 9

In a shift mechanism according to claim 7, said pressure chambers disposed in outer concentric relation to said member to be driven.

Claim 10

In a clutch assembly for controlling engagement and disengagement between a first rotatable drive member and second member to be driven in which an axially displaceable first clutch member is connected for rotation to said first drive member and a second clutch member is connected to said second member, and shift means associated with said first clutch member including operator-controlled shift-actuating means for actuating said shift means to advance said first clutch member into and out of engagement with said second clutch member, the improvement comprising: first releasable locking means associated with said shift means for positively locking said first clutch member in engaged relation to said second clutch member against accidental release therebetween, and second releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said first clutch member in disengaged relation to said second clutch member; release means responsive to said operator means for releasing either of said first or second locking means from their locked positions as a preliminary to engagement and disengagement of said first and second clutch members; and said shift means including a pair of pressure chambers in juxtaposed relation to one another, said release means defined by fluid flow control means for establishing a differential pressure between said pressure chambers causing either of said first or second locking means to be released.

Claim 11

In a clutch assembly for controlling engagement and disengagement between a first rotatable drive member and second member to be driven in which an axially displaceable first clutch member is connected for rotation to said first drive member and a second clutch member is connected to said second member, and shift means associated with said first clutch member including operator-controlled shift-actuating means for actuating said shift means to advance said first clutch member into and out of engagement with said second clutch member, the improvement comprising: first releasable locking means associated with said shift means for positively locking said first clutch member in engaged relation to said second clutch member against accidental release therebetween, and second releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said first clutch member in disengaged relation to said second clutch member; release means responsive to said operator means for releasing either of said first or second locking means from their locked positions as a preliminary to engagement and disengagement of said first and second clutch members; and said shift means including a pair of pressure chambers in juxtaposed relation to one another, said release means defined by fluid flow control means for establishing a differential pressure between said pressure chambers causing either of said first or second locking means to be released.

Claim 12

In a clutch assembly according to claim 9, each of said locking means including a movable limit stop responsive to a predetermined pressure in an associated pressure chamber to lock said first clutch member in one of said engaged and disengaged positions.

Claim 13

In a clutch assembly according to claim 10, said shift means undergoing axial displacement between two end limits of travel in response to the differential pressures established between said pressure chambers, alternate ones of said limit stops movable into registry with a groove at each of said opposite end limits of travel.

Claim 14

In a clutch assembly according to claim 11, said release means defined by fluid channels establishing communication between each of said pressure chambers and said grooves to apply fluid under pressure from an associated pressure chamber forcing one of said limit stops out of registry with a groove.

Claim 15

In a clutch assembly for controlling engagement and disengagement between a first rotatable drive member and second member to be driven in which an axially displaceable first clutch member is connected for rotation to said first drive member and a second clutch member is connected to said second member, and shift means associated with said first clutch member including operator-controlled shift-actuating means for actuating said shift means to advance said first clutch member into and out of engagement with said second clutch member, the improvement comprising: first releasable locking means associated with said shift means for positively locking said first clutch member in engaged relation to said second clutch member against accidental release therebetween, and second releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said first clutch member in disengaged relation to said second clutch member; release means responsive to said operator means for releasing either of said first or second locking means from their locked positions as a preliminary to engagement and disengagement of said first and second clutch member; and said first releasable locking means mounted externally of said shift means in the path of movement of said first clutch member, and said release means including a release member extending from said shift means into engagement with said first releasable locking means.

Claim 16

In a clutch assembly for controlling engagement and disengagement between a first rotatable drive member and second member to be driven in which an axially displaceable first clutch member is connected for rotation to said first drive member and a second clutch member is connected to said second member, and shift means associated with said first clutch member including operator-controlled shift-actuating means for actuating said shift means to advance said first clutch member into and out of engagement with said second clutch member, the improvement comprising: first releasable locking means associated with said shift means for positively locking said first clutch member in engaged relation to said second clutch member against accidental release therebetween, and second releasable locking means associated with said shift means for locking said first clutch member in disengaged relation to said second clutch member; release means responsive to said operator means for releasing either of said first or second locking means from their locked positions as a preliminary to engagement and disengagement of said first and second clutch member; and said first releasable locking means mounted externally of said shift means in the path of movement of said first clutch member, and said release means including a release member extending from said shift means into engagement with said first releasable locking means.

Claim 17

In a clutch assembly according to claim 13, said first releasable locking means defined by a ring-like member on said drive member and said first release member having a complementary ring-like portion movable into engagement with said first releasable locking ring to disengage said locking ring from said drive member so that said first clutch member is axially displaceable away from engaged relation to said second clutch member.

Claim 18

In a clutch assembly according to claim 14, said second releasable locking means defined by friction plates interposed between said first clutch member and said second clutch member and said release means including a spring member urging said friction plates out of frictional engagement with one another.

Claim 19

In a clutch assembly according to claim 15, said locking ring member being of generally cup-shaped configuration and said ring-like release member being complementary to said locking ring and movable along an inclined wall surface of said locking ring to cause said locking ring to expand out of engagement with a groove in said drive member.