Patent ID: 7886885
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A clutch comprising: a reaction plate for exerting a compression force; a friction plate disposed adjacent the reaction plate for frictionally engaging the reaction plate to transfer a driving torque between the reaction plate and the friction plate when the compression force is applied; a compressible resilient friction layer attached to the friction plate and opposing the reaction plate, the friction layer has a coefficient of friction that is sufficient to prevent relative rotation of the reaction and friction plates when the friction layer is compressed by the reaction plate, wherein the friction layer has a thickness, and wherein the friction layer has at least one groove; at least one non-compressible member disposed in the at least one groove for preventing further compression of the friction layer by the reaction plate, wherein the at least one non-compressible member is adhered to the friction plate, and wherein the at least one non-compressible member has a predefined height; and a fluid lubricant disposed between the reaction plate and the friction plate for providing a lubrication layer between the plates; and wherein the friction plate and the at least one non-compressible member further comprise at least one aperture for allowing the fluid lubricant to pass through the friction plate and the at least one non-compressible member to contact the reaction plate, and wherein the predefined height of the at least one non-compressible member is greater than the thickness of the friction material layer after the friction layer has been compressed when the clutch is in a low speed slip operating condition.