Patent ID: 7513349
Filing Date: 2009-04-07
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A multi-position clutch for selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable power transmitting shafts, the three rotatable power transmitting shafts each being respectively coupled to one of at least three power input/output devices, the clutch comprising: at least three cooperation elements each respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable power transmitting shafts for selective engagement therebetween; each of said at least three cooperation elements being mounted to one of said at least three rotatable power transmitting shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements, an actuating mechanism associated to at least one of said at least three cooperation elements for selectively coupling said at least two adjacent cooperation elements from said at least three cooperation elements, the actuating mechanism comprising an actuating element having two opposite sides, the actuating element being mounted about said third rotatable shaft between said first and second contact disks, said actuating element including two electromagnetic coils mounted on said two opposite sides of said actuating element; whereby selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements of said at least three cooperation elements couples at least two respective power transmitting shafts, thereby coupling at least two respective power input/output devices; and whereby, in operation, i) energizing said first electromagnetic coil causes said actuating element to engage said contact rings of said first cooperation elements resulting in the coupling of said first and third shafts; ii) energizing said second electromagnetic coil causes said actuating element to engage said contact rings of said second cooperation elements resulting in the coupling of said second and third shafts; and iii) energizing both said first and second electromagnetic coils causes said actuating element to engage said contact rings of both said first and second cooperation elements, resulting in the coupling of said first, second and third shafts.