DUAL GAIN FRICTION CLUTCH

A dual gain friction clutch is adapted to transmit an operational range of torques from a drive member to a driven member. The dual gain friction clutch incorporates a first friction clutch pack and a second friction clutch pack, the pack being axially aligned and adapted to address one of two segments of the operational range of torques. The clutch further includes a spring-loaded skate detent unit configured to control transition between the two segments of operational ranges of torques. Each friction clutch pack may include identical respective friction discs coupled to the drive member and respective pressure plates coupled to the driven member for selectively providing torque control within either of the lower and higher segments of the operational ranges of torques. The first clutch pack is configured to operate alone and independently of the second clutch pack during the lower segment of operational range of torques while and both friction clutch packs are configured to operate as a single combined friction clutch unit during the higher segment of operational range of torques.