Patent ID: 7766144

Claim:
An engageable clutch assembly having a friction interface adapted for use with a pressurized fluid, the clutch assembly being adapted for reducing clutch shudder or vibration due to slippage across the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly comprising: a rotatable friction plate with friction material attached to a side thereof, the friction material defining a plurality of surface fluid channels; a rotatable reaction plate having a reaction surface adjacent to the friction material, wherein the friction plate and the reaction plate define the friction interface at a location therebetween; and wherein the reaction plate defines a plurality of internal fluid passages that intersect with each other within the reaction plate and are in fluid communication with the friction interface and the surface fluid channels, and wherein the internal fluid passages are configured to conduct the pressurized fluid through the reaction plate in a radial direction during all conditions, and through the reaction plate directly to a low pressure region of the friction interface in an axial direction during a transient high temperature, low relative velocity condition of the clutch assembly, thereby reducing the clutch shudder or vibration during the transient high temperature, low relative velocity condition.