Means Industries, Inc.

Carl Thomas Beiser

Brice A Pawley

George J Coppens

A clutch assembly or module having multiple one-way clutches, each clutch operates independently of the others to control torque transmission to and from a common or shared notch plate. The assembly or module also controls rotation, including the direction thereof, of the common or shared notch plate. Depending upon the position of each one-way clutch, multiple modes of torque transfer and common or shared notch plate rotation can be achieved.

Clutch assembly

A controllable or selectable coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a retained control element is provided. The assembly includes first and second coupling members having first and second coupling faces, respectively, in close-spaced opposition with one another. A locking member is disposed between the coupling faces of the coupling members. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. A control element is mounted for controlled movement between the coupling faces and is operable to control position of the locking member. The control element has at least one opening which extends completely therethrough to allow the locking member to extend therethrough. A retainer mechanism is operative to allow limited movement of the control element towards the first coupling face and prevent the control element from contacting the first coupling member in the overrun mode thereby reducing spin losses when the assembly is disengaged.

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Frankenmuth, MI, United States of America

Carl Thomas Beiser