Patent ID: 6920971

Claim:
A hydraulic clutch/brake mechanism adapted for providing a smooth clutch/brake application, comprising: an arrangement including first and second torque transmitting members, a fluid inlet port, a piston bore in open communication with the fluid inlet port, and a disk chamber adjacent to the piston bore; a plurality of disks disposed in the disk chamber and intermeshed one with the other and having a first portion of the disks thereof connected with the first torque transmitting member and a second portion of the disks thereof connected with the second torque transmitting member; an actuator piston assembly slideably disposed in the piston bore, the actuator piston assembly having a first side in communication with the fluid inlet port and a second side disposed adjacent the plurality of disks; and a damping arrangement including a piston disposed in the actuator piston assembly and being operative during operation to damp the movement of the actuator piston assembly relative to the plurality of disks such that a rate of pressure increase applied against the plurality of disks is controlled to substantially prevent harsh engagement of the actuator piston assembly with the plurality of disks.