Title: Fluid operated clutch with dual pistons

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Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated friction clutch assembly includes rotatable driving and driven members adapted to be coupled frictionally together by a clutch pack as the pack is compressed by two pistons movable between advanced and retracted positions relative to the driving member. The pistons are moved between their advanced and retracted positions by a non-compressible pressure fluid as the latter is filled and emptied from a main chamber located behind the pistons. Secondary chambers containing pressure fluid urge the pistons toward their retracted positions with one of the pistons being urged rearwardly with a greater force than the other. Accordingly, as the main chamber is filled, the other piston advances to engage and partially compress the clutch pack before the one piston engages the clutch pack to fully compress the clutch pack and thereby complete clutch engagement. During clutch engagement, the movable wall of the chamber as defined by the two pistons prevents the fluid from flowing out of the chamber as the chamber is being filled.


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