GB361334A - Improvements in operating and controlling means for clutches of that type in which the coupling medium is a fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

361,334. Hydraulic transmission of power. RAMPLING, R., Dunedin, Stanley Road, Hoylake, and WATKINSON, A. S., Silverdale, The Mount, Heswall, both in Cheshire. May 19, 1930, Nos. 15313, 16389, and 29965. [Classes 69 (ii) and 135.] The rotating casing of a hydraulic clutch is provided with a series of emptying valves adapted to be operated by pressure transmitted from the interior of the clutch rotor, from a fixed enclosing casing, or from an independent source, dashpot arrangements being provided, if desired, to secure slow closing, and the valves being so arranged that centrifugal force has no effect on them or is balanced. The rotating casing is also provided with air-escape valves which are open while the clutch is being filled, and are closed when the pressure in the clutch reaches a predetermined value. A clutch installation shown in Fig. 1 in the normal running position, comprises a rotating clutch casing A having emptying valves H, a fixed casing C, and a pump p for maintaining a circulation of liquid through the clutch and a cooler p4. The pressure in the casing A may be varied by varying the pump circulation, or by moving a lever G into the position shown in Fig. 2. The movement of the lever closes the vent N of the casing A by a valve n<1>, opens a valve k<1> to admit compressed air at k<2>, and moves a valve F to byepass the pump. The admission of compressed air to the clutch through a pipe p<2>, chamber c<3>, and ports a<5> raises the pressure in the clutch, and the valves H are thereby opened. The lever G may then be moved into mid-position to vent the casing through p<2> and N, and to close the compressed air valve k<1>. The valves H may be pressed outwardly by a spring 5, Fig. 4, and are opened by pressure passing through a passage 10 to the upper side of a piston 6. A scoop-like passage 8 leading to the interior of the valve and vents 13 are provided. In another form so disposed that centrifugal force has no effect, the valve 72, Fig. 7, is connected to a dashpot piston 74. Other forms are also described. One form of air-escape valve comprises a piston 17, Fig. 8, adapted to close the valve 15 against the action of a spring 19 ; an air-escape valve may also be combined with an emptying valve. An installation controlled by the pressure in the fixed casing C comprises a lever J<1>, Fig. 10, controlling the position of a compressed air valve k<10> and a casing valve s, the emptying valves H<13> being opened by pressure from the casing C admitted through passages 98, Fig. 13, and acting on a piston 92. In the form shown in Fig. 17, an independent source of pressure is connected under the control of a valve k<1> through passages t2, a<6> to the actuating cylinders of the valves H<16>.