Patent ID: 7422537

Claim:
A multi-path torque coupling comprising: an input shaft adapted to be connected to a source of torque; an output shaft from which torque is delivered, said input shaft and said output shaft having a common axis of rotation; a wet-plate clutch having first and second clutch members capable of rotating at different angular velocities, said wet-plate clutch configured for transferring torque between said first and second clutch members when engaged, said first clutch member being connected to said input shaft; a pumping mechanism configured to engage said first and second clutch members of said wet-plate clutch responsive to said first and second clutch members rotating at different angular velocities; a planetary set including first, second, third, and fourth elements organized about said common axis of rotation, said first element connected to said first clutch member and to said input shaft, said second element connected to said second clutch member, said third element connected to said output shaft, and said fourth element connected between said first element and said second element, and between said second element and said third element; wherein said input shaft, said wet-plate clutch, said second element, said third element, said fourth element, and said output shaft define a first torque path through said multi-path torque coupling; and wherein said input shaft, said first element, said third element, said fourth element, and said output shaft define a second torque path through said multi-path torque coupling.