GB1136872A - Improvements relating to clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

1,136,872. Controlling clutches. SCHOTTELWERFT JOSEF BECKER K.G. 6 April, 1967 [26 April, 1966], No. 15876/67. Heading F2L. In a fluid, e.g. hydraulic, pressure released, spring engaged, multi-disc friction clutch, the release fluid pressure acts on a non-rotatable annular piston 38a sliding in a cylinder 35 formed in the stationary clutch housing 30, to move a member 38 acting through a thrust bearing 39 on pressure pins 43 to move pressure plate 7 against clutch engaging springs 10. The piston 38a may be made of plastics, e.g. polyamide, or may be formed integral with member 38 which is prevented from rotating by guide pins 40 in the stationary housing. The clutch release fluid pressure is fed via conduit 50 from a pump or by a master piston and cylinder arrangement. To facilitate formation of the cylinder 35, the housing may be formed of two parts 33, 34. As shown, the clutch connects a driving shaft 23 through a known flexible coupling 21 and a sleeve 15 to a driven shaft 1, outer clutch discs 12 being splined to a member 16 bolted to sleeve 15, and inner clutch discs 3 being splined on a member 2 keyed at 4 to shaft 1. Lubrication of the discs takes place by the clutch bell dipping into the oil sump, oil spray being collected by cups 45 and conducted through bores 46, return connections 47, bearings 29, between shaft 1 and housing member 33, through longitudinal grooves 44 in pressure pins 43, and by centrifugal force out between the discs.