GB376835A - Improvements in or relating to clutch-operated gears - Google Patents

Abstract

376,835. Change-speed gearing; operating clutches. FIPPARD, A. J., Hankow, Woodcote Avenue, Wallington, Surrey. April 17, 1931, Nos. 11502, 12678, 20976, and 25417. [Class 80 (ii).] In change-speed gearing of the lay-shaft type, the speed changes are effected by clutches operated through thrust bearings by non-rotary distensible devices and pressure air or liquid. The expansible device may consist of annular bellows 91, Fig. 6, supported on a fixed member 91<1> acting through a thrust bearing 93 to move a rotary friction or claw clutch member 92 into engagement with a like member on a loose gear, not shown. An arrangement is described with a ring of fixed pneumatic cylinders thrusting radially inwards ramps which thrust axially the ball bearing corresponding to the bearing 93, Fig. 6. In one form of the invention, a driving- shaft 1 may be connected directly through a clutch 14<1> to a driven shaft 2, or indirectly through clutches 14 and any pair of constantmesh gears 3, 4 or 5, 6 or 11, 12 or 7, 8 and a return pair 10, 9. Expansible devices 25 are arranged in pairs or fixed supports 24 between cone clutch members 14 rigid with loose gears such as 3, 5. When pressure air is admitted behind an annular piston 25, thrust is transmitted through a ring 23 of channel section and through a ball thrust bearing 30 to a slidable clutch member 21 rotating with the shaft 1. Clutch disengaging springs 33 are provided. The direct drive clutch 14<1> is similar. A clutch 14<2> by the disengagement of which the toothed gears are allowed to be at rest during direct drive comprises a main claw member 36 with an auxiliary relatively sliding friction member 37, the latter coming first into engagement with the wheel 10. The clutch 36, 37 may be replaced by a suitable one-way clutch. A compresser driven from a gear 53 drives air through a selector valve and on to the expansible devices 25 through nipples 40. A modified arrangement is described with the clutches and expansible devices on the lay shaft.