Patent ID: 9651097
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: F16D

Claim:
1. A friction clutch comprising: a first clutch member, the first clutch member being formed of a first magnetically susceptible material; a second clutch member; a plurality of first clutch plates axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the first clutch member, the first clutch plates being formed of a second magnetically susceptible material; a plurality of second clutch plates axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the second clutch member, the second clutch plates being interleaved with the first clutch plates; and a first electromagnet having a first pole that is magnetically coupled to the first clutch member, wherein the first clutch plates are driven apart from one another when the first electromagnet is operated to generate a magnetic field; wherein the second clutch member is formed of a third magnetically susceptible material, wherein the second clutch plates are formed of a fourth magnetically susceptible material, and wherein the friction clutch further comprises a second electromagnet having a second pole that is magnetically coupled to the second clutch member, wherein operation of the first and second electromagnets drives the first and second clutch plates into engagement with one another.