GB687784A - Improvements in power transmission arrangements, particularly for automobiles - Google Patents

Abstract

687,784. Friction clutches. TONNIES, H. F. April 21, 1950 [June 9, 1949], No. 9905/50. Class 80 (ii). A spring-engaged slippable friction clutch 2, 4 between driving and driven shafts 1, 3 is arranged in a fluid-tight housing 5 filled with oil, one or both of the clutch members being so mounted on its shaft as to be capable of a slight tilting and radial movement thereon, whereby the contact pressure between the clutch members is equal over their whole surface. The clutch members may be discs, as in Fig. 1, or cones, as in Fig. 15, and holes or grooves are formed therein for access of oil to the friction surfaces. The holes or grooves may be so shaped as to effect oil circulation, or blades may be mounted on one or both shafts for this purpose. A water jacket may surround the housing for cooling purposes. The spring 7 acts between a collar 8, Fig. 1, on shaft 3 and a rack 9 adjustable axially, so as to vary the engaging pressure or to disengage the clutch, by a lever 18 through gearing 11, 14, 16. Alternatively, the spring 7 may act between the collar 8 and a ring 48, Fig. 15, adjustably threaded in the rack member 9, whereby the latter may be moved to the right so that the flange 45 of member 9 engages the collar 8 to disengage the clutch without altering the adjustment. A projection 50 on member 9 cooperates with a lever 51 to apply the brake of a vehicle when the clutch is disengaged. Lever 51 may be linked to the member 9 so that the clutch is disengaged when the brake is applied.