Patent ID: 10060485

Abstract:
A composite clutch (110) is adapted to transmit an operational range of torques (60) from a driving member (118) to a driven member (122). The composite clutch (110) incorporates both of a friction clutch assembly (124) and a dog clutch assembly (126), each assembly adapted to address one of two segments (62, 68) of the operational range of torques (60). The clutch (110) further includes a spring-loaded detent system (180) configured to control transition (66) between the two segments (62, 68) of operational ranges of torques (60). The friction clutch assembly (124) includes first friction clutch elements (128) coupled to the driving member (118) and second friction clutch elements (132) coupled to the driven member (122) for providing torque control within the lower operational range of torques (64). The dog clutch assembly (126) includes a first dog clutch element (136) coupled to the driving member (118) and a second dog clutch element (138) coupled to the driven member (122), in which the first and second dog clutch elements (136, 138) are configured to mechanically lock together during the higher operational range of torques (70).