Friction clutch pressure plate device 11 which is provided between spring device 12 and clutch disc unit 4 of friction clutch 1 comprises primary pressure plate 19, secondary pressure plate 22 which is capable of approaching and receding from primary pressure plate 19, and a plurality of weight plates 23 which are slidably arranged between mutually opposed side faces 19a, 22a of primary pressure plate 19 and secondary pressure plate 22. Primary pressure plate 19 comprises first outer circumferential wall 25 having inclined inner wall face 24, secondary pressure plate 22 comprises second outer circumferential wall 28 having perpendicular inner wall face 27, and weight plate 23 comprises tip portion engaging surface that engages with perpendicular inner wall face 27 and a tip portion inclined surface 32 that engages with inclined inner wall face 24.

Friction clutch pressure plate device 11 which is provided between spring device 12 and clutch disc unit 4 of friction clutch 1 comprises primary pressure plate 19, secondary pressure plate 22 which is capable of approaching and receding from primary pressure plate 19, and a plurality of weight plates 23 which are slidably arranged between mutually opposed side faces 19a, 22a of primary pressure plate 19 and secondary pressure plate 22. Primary pressure plate 19 comprises first outer circumferential wall 25 having inclined inner wall face 24, secondary pressure plate 22 comprises second outer circumferential wall 28 having perpendicular inner wall face 27, and weight plate 23 comprises tip portion engaging surface that engages with perpendicular inner wall face 27 and a tip portion inclined surface 32 that engages with inclined inner wall face 24.

A first support is open toward a first side in an axial direction. A press member is at such a position as to press a first friction plate and second friction plate of a friction clutch device from the first side in the axial direction. An intermediate member includes a body between the press member and a second support in the axial direction and a protrusion protruding toward the first side of the body in the axial direction. The press member has an insertion hole extending through the press member in the axial direction and configured to receive the protrusion.

A clutch assembly including a sealed clutch and a spacer. The clutch is connected to the spacer and the spacer is connectable to a flywheel along a common axis and the spacer facilitates connection of the clutch to the flywheel in at least two different axially spaced positions. A connection ring can connect the spacer connection to flywheel.

A torque converter assembly that has a turbine assembly, a pump assembly, and a clutch assembly that selectively rotationally couples the turbine assembly to the pump assembly. The clutch assembly also has at least one clutch disk and a backing plate assembly defining a backing plate surface and formed by a first plate and a second plate coupled to one another. The first plate and the second plate are coupled to each other at a first radius and a second radius, the second radius being substantially adjacent to the backing plate surface.

A torque converter assembly that has a turbine assembly, a pump assembly, and a clutch assembly that selectively rotationally couples the turbine assembly to the pump assembly. The clutch assembly also has at least one clutch disk and a backing plate assembly defining a backing plate surface and formed by a first plate and a second plate coupled to one another. The first plate and the second plate are coupled to each other at a first radius and a second radius, the second radius being substantially adjacent to the backing plate surface.

A self-contained clutch for diesel engines for off-highway implementation is provided. A stationary friction disc, pressure plate and endplate sandwich a pair of rotating separator discs. Attenuation of vibration damping of the rotator discs may be achieved by a centrifugal weight. A pulse-width-modulated DC motor or valve is employed in association with a hydraulic actuator to control pressure to the clutch piston. An RFID tag uniquely identifies the nature and parameters of the clutch itself and is associated with the clutch such that the controller can most efficiently operate the clutch. Heat is dissipated by an oil pump servicing the support bearings and/or by the integration of a centrifugal fan into the heat disc stack.

A self-contained clutch for diesel engines for off-highway implementation is provided. A stationary friction disc, pressure plate and endplate sandwich a pair of rotating separator discs. Attenuation of vibration damping of the rotator discs may be achieved by a centrifugal weight. A pulse-width-modulated DC motor or valve is employed in association with a hydraulic actuator to control pressure to the clutch piston. An RFID tag uniquely identifies the nature and parameters of the clutch itself and is associated with the clutch such that the controller can most efficiently operate the clutch. Heat is dissipated by an oil pump servicing the support bearings and/or by the integration of a centrifugal fan into the heat disc stack.

A vehicle transmission includes a transmission shaft, a friction element assembly mounted on the transmission shaft, a piston assembly for actuating the friction element assembly, a snap ring for retaining the friction element assembly and a mounting groove formed in the transmission shaft. The snap ring is installed into the mounting groove by expanding the snap ring and then allowing the snap to contract and enter the mounting groove. The mounting groove is located such that the snap ring could exit the mounting groove upon expansion of the snap ring due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, various arrangements are provided to prevent the snap ring from leaving the mounting groove after installation.

A vehicle transmission includes a transmission shaft, a friction element assembly mounted on the transmission shaft, a piston assembly for actuating the friction element assembly, a snap ring for retaining the friction element assembly and a mounting groove formed in the transmission shaft. The snap ring is installed into the mounting groove by expanding the snap ring and then allowing the snap to contract and enter the mounting groove. The mounting groove is located such that the snap ring could exit the mounting groove upon expansion of the snap ring due to a centrifugal force. Accordingly, various arrangements are provided to prevent the snap ring from leaving the mounting groove after installation.