Valeo Corporation

Massimo Rubatto

Carlo Beccaris

A clutch comprises two coaxial clutch parts. One clutch part includes a pressure plate and a reaction plate coupled with a first shaft for rotation therewith. The other clutch part includes at least one friction disc coupled with a second shaft for rotation therewith. The pressure plate is subjected to the action of a control mechanism arranged to urge it towards or away from the reaction plate. A torque limiter is coupled with one or other of the shafts for rotation with it. The torque limiter is also coupled for rotation with one of the two clutch parts so as to rotate with that clutch part. The torque limiter is mounted within its own housing, which is disposed outside the space defined between the pressure plate and reaction plate of the clutch. The torque limiter housing is secured to a fixed support, typically the clutch casing itself, and includes a detector for detecting longitudinal forces exerted by the torque limiter. The detector is connected with a monitoring unit for monitoring the control pressure exerted by the control mechanism of the clutch on the pressure plate.

Growing community of inventors

Turin, Italy

Massimo Rubatto