Patent ID: 7121392

Claim:
A dual clutch assembly for a transmission with two coaxially arranged output shafts, the clutch assembly comprising: a clutch housing member driven by a torque input; two clutches within the clutch housing and radially spaced from a rotatable hub, each clutch having a first set of friction elements and a second set of friction elements, the first clutch having an actuating piston selectively engaging the friction elements transferring torque from the clutch housing member to the inner output shaft, and the second clutch having an actuating piston selectively engaging the friction elements transferring torque from the clutch housing member to the outer output shaft, both actuating pistons can be actuated against the force of one or more return springs braced against a support element of a compensating piston; and the first friction elements of each clutch mounted on a common disk carrier, at least one end of the common disk carrier supported by and engaged with the clutch housing member transferring torque therethrough to the first friction elements, the disk carrier and at least one of the actuating pistons cooperating to transfer torque from the clutch housing member to the first friction elements without passing substantial torque through the hub, the clutch housing member being connected to the hub, a cylinder is provided and axially attached to the hub, and at least one actuating piston is guided to be axially displaceable on the cylinder.