Patent ID: 8905212
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A composite clutch for transmitting an operational range of torques from a driving member to a driven member, comprising: a friction clutch assembly including a number of first friction clutch members coupled to the driving member and a number of second friction clutch members coupled to the driven member; a dog clutch assembly including a first dog member coupled to the driving member, a second dog member coupled to the driven member, a dog arm slidably coupled to the second dog member, and a spring disposed between the dog arm and the second dog member biasing the dog arm in a refracted position spaced from the first dog member; and an actuator assembly operatively coupled to the dog clutch assembly wherein the first and second friction clutch members are movable from an unengaged position to a torque transmitting position while a force supplied by the actuator assembly is less than a force required to compress the spring.