Patent ID: 8708122

Claim:
A multiple-disk clutch for transmitting power from a crankshaft of an engine to a transmission input shaft, the multiple-disk clutch comprising: an inner clutch member adapted to be connected to the transmission input shaft; an outer clutch member disposed around at least a portion of the inner clutch member and adapted to be connected to the crankshaft; a plurality of driving friction disks connected to and extending from the outer clutch member toward the inner clutch member; a plurality of driven friction disks connected to and extending from the inner clutch member toward the outer clutch member, the driven friction disks and the driving friction disks being arranged alternately; a first pressure member being axially movable to compress the driving and the driven friction disks together and to disengage the driven friction disks from the driving friction disks, the first pressure member being biased to urge the driving and driven friction disks together in a compression direction; a first actuation system having a first portion connected to the first pressure member, the first actuation system being adapted to overcome the biasing force urging the driving and driven friction disks together in the compression direction and release the compression force exerted by the first pressure member on the driving and the driven friction disks such that the friction disks are spaced apart and power transmission through the multiple-disk clutch is interrupted; and a second actuation system including a second pressure member, the second pressure member being axially movable to compress the driving and the driven friction disks together, the driving and driven friction disks being disposed between the first and second pressure members, the second actuation system being a centrifugal actuation system being adapted to apply pressure to the driving and driven friction disks as a function of a speed of rotation of the multiple-disk clutch, a second portion of the first actuation system being connected to the second pressure member such that the second portion of the first actuation system is axially movable with the second pressure member.