Dana Corporation

Orville E Phelps

Richard A Flotow

A self-contained friction clutch having a low inertia driven disc assembly is disclosed. The clutch includes a cover having a friction plate secured thereto in spaced apart fashion. The cover and the friction plate are secured to a flywheel as a unit, with the friction plate being disposed adjacent to the flywheel. Radial and circular grooves are formed in the face of the flywheel adjacent to the friction plate to permit cooling air to flow therebetween. A pressure plate is disposed between the cover and the friction plate for rotation therewith and axial movement relative thereto. Friction pads are secured to the adjacent faces of the friction plate and the pressure plate. A driven disc assembly is disposed between the friction plate and the pressure plate. The driven disc assembly includes a support plate extending between the pads secured to the friction plate and the pressure plate. When the clutch is engaged, the friction pads on the friction plate and the pressure plate frictionally engage the support plate for rotation therewith. The support plate may have a curled outer peripheral edge to increase the stiffness thereof.

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Taipei, Taiwan

Orville E Phelps