Patent ID: 6244407
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: F16D,F16F

Abstract:
a friction device comprising:a drive member and a driven member which are rotatable about a common axis and which define a clutch housing therebetween;a clutch pack interposed between said drive and driven members and operable to connect and disconnect said drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween;a piston assembly supported in said clutch housing and defining an expandable chamber between said piston assembly and said clutch housing;a source of pressurized fluid in communication with said expandable chamber, said piston assembly being responsive to the pressure of fluid in said expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating said clutch pack to connect and disconnect said drive and driven members;said piston assembly including a main body having an outer ring disposed about said main body, said outer ring including a plurality of orifices extending through said outer ring and arcuately spaced relative to one another about said common axis;said outer ring being movable between a first position wherein said orifice is closed and said drive and driven members are disconnected and a second position wherein said orifice is open to allow flow of pressurized fluid through said orifice and into contact with said clutch pack thereby cooling same when said drive and driven members are operatively connected through said clutch pack.