GB835968A - Improvements relating to friction devices - Google Patents

Abstract

835,968. Fluid-operated friction clutches; shaft couplings. LAMBERT BRAKE CORPORATION. Nov. 8, 1957 [April 15, 1957], No. 34828/57. Class 80 (2). A fluid-pressure engaged friction clutch has positive displacement pumping means operated by relative rotation of the driving and driven parts and means for regulating the fluid pressure generated by the pumping means applied to the engaging means. An input shaft 1 drivingly carries a power plate assembly 3 having a clutch drum 5 internally splined to receive clutch plates 8, and a hub 4 carrying a flanged bearing 6. The hub 4 also has rigidlyfixed thereon a three-lobe face cam 32 which actuates push-rods 30 carried in a splined hub 7 forming part of an output shaft 2, the splines receiving complementary clutch plates 9 and a backing plate 11. On relative rotation of the driving and driven elements the push-rods 30 reciprocate spring-loaded pistons 36 in cylinders 37 formed in a secondary disc member 12 keyed to the shaft 2. The cylinders 37 are connected by passageways 40, 41 containing spring-loaded inlet valves 40 with the body of oil 70 in which the clutch is immersed and by passageways 47, 49 containing delivery valves 48 to an annular chamber 18. The chamber 18 forms a cylinder for an annular actuator disc 19 which may be moved axially towards the backing plate 11 to engage the clutch by fluid pressure in the chamber. The engaging pressure of the disc 19 is augmented by camming balls 22 responsive to engaging drag on the disc 19. The disc 19 is urged towards the disengaging position by spring-loaded plungers 26 carried in the splined hub 7. The chamber 18 is connected by a drilling 56, circular groove 51, passageway 59 in a stationary ring 57, and pipe 61 with a manual control valve 62 which, when closed, allows pressure build-up in the chamber 18. Pressure in the chamber 18 generated by relative rotation of the clutch parts is limited by a spring-loaded relief valve lying in the plane of the delivery valve 48 but spaced 90 degrees therefrom. In a modification in which the clutch is not immersed in oil, the passage 41 is connected by means similar to those for passage 56 to a pipe leading to an oil tank, the relief valve is housed in the body of the valve 62, and these two valves discharge into the oil tank. The shaft 2 may be coupled to a shaft S of a tractor power take-off by an internally-splined adjusting sleeve 72 bearing between a washer 76 on the shaft 2 and an internally-splined thrust washer 75 through a flanged locknut 73 secured by a cotter 74.