GB384836A - Improvements in or relating to friction clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

384,836. Friction clutches. SOC. RATEAU, 40, Rue du ColisÚe, Paris. Feb. 4, 1932, No. 3383. Convention date, Feb. 4, 1931. [Class 80 (ii).] In centrifugally-operated clutches, fluid is suppli d from a pipe g to a chamber f in a drum c secured to the driving shaft a or the driven shaft b and bears upon a wall d to cause engagement of a plate clutch d, e, c by centrifugal force. A valve is fitted on the pipe g so that the rate of clutching engagement is controllable. Orifices, h discharge excess fluid to the casing p. A small orifice may allow slow leakage from the chamber f, so that when the fluid supply is cut off the clutch gradually disengages. In a modification, Fig. 5, of this form, a larger orifice m is manually controlled by a lever valve o, balanced against the effect of centrifugal force. In this form, as the drum c turns with the driven shaft b, a spring j to initiate clutch engagement is fitted. The clutch may be arranged in the multiplying gear used in driving a centrifugal compressor. Fig. 7 shows a variablespeed gear in which clutches arranged in alternative routes between the driving and driven shafts a, b are alternatively put into operation by fluid controlled by a three-way valve x, fluid escaping through the orifices m in the clutch drums when the fluid supply is cut off.