Caterpillar Inc.
System and method for reducing clutch fill time

Abstract:

A hydraulic clutch assembly includes a rotating shaft. A first clutch and a second clutch are coupled to the shaft. A first passageway located within the shaft supplies an actuating fluid to the first clutch. A second passageway located within the shaft supplies the actuating fluid to the second clutch. A first bleed passage is fluidly coupled with the first passageway. A second bleed passage is fluidly coupled to the second passageway and the first bleed passage. A first outlet is fluidly coupled to the first bleed passage. A second outlet is fluidly coupled to the second bleed passage. The first outlet and the second outlet merge together to form an outlet passage.