Type Of Clutches - Mechanical

TYPE OF CLUTCHES

There are three main type of clutches

1. Mechanical
2. Electrical
3. Hydraulic

Mechanical Clutches

Friction Clutches

• Widely used in industry.
• Can be actuated or operated manually, pneumatically, or hydraulically.
• Used a lined metal of fibrous metal mounted between two steel plates as a means of transferring motion between two mechanical components.
• Transferring of motion occur when the separate plates are bought into contact with each other.
• The travel of the friction plates is very small compared to the jaw clutches.
• The driven portion of a friction clutch is frequently supported by bearings on the driving hub.

Friction Clutch

Jaw Clutches

Jaw Clutch

• Usually used on slow speed applications.
• Motion for engaging and disengaging the clutch is accomplished with a shifting arm.
• The shifting arm are usually has the fulcrum of pivot point located at the end of the arm with the operating handle located at the other end.

Square Jaw Clutch

Spiral Jaw Clutch

Centrifugal Clutches

• Friction type centrifugal clutches are commonly found in applications where it is desirable to have either no load starting or protection against overload.
• Can also function as a couplings or can be mounted directly to V-belt,
• In operation, centrifugal clutches start from a disengaged or at rest position.
• Centrifugal clutches become positively engaged at no time during operation.

Overrunning Clutches

Overrunning Clutch

• Also known as one-way clutches.
• Frequently used on machine where the driving motor or media require protection.
• Prevent overspeeding of the drive by allowing free rotation of the drive component.
• Designed to permit rotation of the driving force in the forward direction only.
• To accomplish this overrunning action, two common type of mechanism are used, roller and sprags.
• Roller running on flat surface inside round housing while sprags positioned between two circular surfaces. Sprags are irregular or can shaped pieces.
• During operation, sprags are wedged between the inner and outer hubs.

Torque Limiting Clutches

• Used on any number of different pieces of equipment or also used with roller chain type coupling.
• The driven half of the clutches is always engaged during startup and only slip when overloaded.

Tooth Clutches

• Used pneumatic of hydraulic actuating cylinder to operate.
• The mating surface of a tooth clutch is constructed with notches or serrations.
• In operation, the notched surfaces contact each other motion is transmitted from the driving to the driven halves of the clutch.

Mechanical Clutch Linkage

Older cars and many present day trucks use a manual linkage. The linkage starts at the clutch pedal and extends to the clutch fork at the bell housing. The linkage is a system of rods and ball joints that transfer the linear force to the fork. The fork extend through the side of the bell housing and moves the release bearing. There are usually several springs to ensure that the clutch linkage returns to the disengage position when the pedal is released. When the driver release the clutch pedal, the clutch is engaged.