Patent attributes
A clutch assembly having an overall diameter and overall axial length. Both the axial length and the ratio of the length to the diameter are reduced. A translatable clutch piston is in communication with a pressure chamber and is movable between a piston neutral position and a piston activated position in response to air pressure. A cone clutch member is moved from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position in response to the translatable clutch piston moving from the piston neutral position to the piston activated position. The cone clutch member engages the rotating drive shaft when in the clutch engaged position. A clutch spring member biases the cone clutch member into the clutch engaged position with a clutch engagement force. The clutch spring has a primary spring ratio of a wire diameter to a spring diameter optimized such that a maximum spring force is achieved while minimizing the spring length. A movable carrier member for the spring member has an increased axial length to reduce and limit abrasion damage to the piston and member. The bearing assembly has a reduced axial length limited by the ratio of its length to its inner diameter.
