GB631783A - A centrifugal clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

631,783. Centrifugal friction clutches. CORNE, L. M. Nov. 21, 1947, Nos. 30897, 30898 and 30899. Convention dates, Dec. 19, 1946, May 22, 1947 and Oct. 22, 1947. [Class 80 (ii)] In a centrifugal friction disc-clutch 20 of the kind in which centrifugal clutch engaging masses 6, acting on a spring-released clutch presser-plate 21, pivot at 5 on a freely-mounted carrier 4, which can be frictionally clutched to a facing 30 of the driving housing 1 by a splined disc 27, to cause speed-responsive engagement of the main-clutch 20, the carrier 4 is normally clutched to the housing 1 by springs 33 acting on its splined disc 27, and, to cause disengagement of the main clutch 20 at any speed, is released from the housing 1 by energising a fixed electromagnet 28, which attracts the splined disc 27 away from the housing surface 30 and into frictional engagement with a fixed brake-surface 31, thus arresting the carrier to cause collapse of the masses 6 by springs 38, and consequent disengagement of the main clutch 20. Four masses 6 are grouped about the carrier 4, each having stop-bars 39 to limit outward movement, and rollers 11, which latter track a cam-surface on a plate 14 splined to the masscarrier 4 and thrusting the main presser-plate 21 through a combined plate-centralising and thrustbearing 40, an axially slidable plate 15 rotating with the driving housing on pins 3, and springs 22 or hydraulic or pneumatic damping means. Both the plate 15 and the presser-plate 21 have play on their driving pins 3 to permit self-centring under centrifugal force. On a motor-vehicle the declutch brakemagnet 28 may be energised by one of the other controls of the vehicle.