Patent ID: 9732807
Date: 2017-08-15
CPC Classifications: B63B,B63H,F16D

Claim:
1. Apparatus comprising: a clutch configured to operatively engage a driver device and a driven device in selective slipping engagement, including, a coupling, wherein the coupling is configured to be in fixed operative connection with one of the driver device and the driven device, a shaft, wherein the shaft is configured to be in fixed operative connection with the other of the driver device and the driven device, a disc housing, wherein the disc housing is in fixed operative rotational connection with the coupling, a hub, wherein the hub extends in concentric relation and radially inward of the disc housing, wherein the hub is in fixed operative rotational connection with the shaft, wherein the hub and disc housing are relatively rotationally movable, a disc pack, including: an annular piston, wherein the piston is selectively axially movable responsive to fluid pressure, and wherein the annular piston is in operative connection with the disc pack, a liquid manifold, wherein the manifold is disposed radially inward of the disc pack, wherein the manifold is configured to deliver a liquid that is movable radially outward between the at least two clutch discs and the at least one separator disc, wherein selective axial movement of the piston between a plurality of slip positions in which the at least two clutch discs and at least one separator disc are in axially noncontacting relation, is operative to cause fluid shear force of the liquid between the discs of the disc pack to cause the disc pack to selectively partially transmit input rotational movement from the driver device at a first rotational speed to the driven device, wherein the driven device is driven at a selectively variable second speed lower than the first speed, and wherein selective axial movement of the piston to at least one engaged position is operative to cause the at least two clutch discs and at least one separator disc to be in axially contacting compressed, nonslip engagement, wherein the driven device is driven at the first rotational speed.