Patent GB-410380-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to friction clutches
IPC: F16D13/34
Filed: 1933-09-07
Abstract: 410,380. Friction clutches. FAST ENGINEERING CORPORATION, G., Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.A. Sept. 7, 1933, No. 24867. Convention date, Oct. 8, 1932. [Class 80 (ii).] In a friction clutch comprising two series of unbroken rings 6, 9, Fig. 1, of metal having high resilience, splined to the outer and inner members 1, 2 of the clutch respectively, each ring has a single conical friction surface inclined at an angle of less than 45‹ to the axis, adjacent rings of each series having their friction surfaces inclined oppositely, and the splines are such that the rings 6 and 9 are free to expand and contract, respectively, independently of each other. One set of rings is surfaced with a relatively plastic material such as soft bronze, babbitt metal, or vulcanized rubber. Engagement is effected by means of two or more sets of links 18, 15 pivoted respectively to a ring 20 adjustably threaded in the member 1 and to an axially-movable ring 16, the jointed ends of the links carrying rollers 21 which coact with the curved end surface 14 of the adjacent ring 6. A ring 24, rotatably mounted within the ring 16, is connected by rods 27, projecting axially through the member 1, to a control collar 29. One of the rods 27 carries a pinion (not shown) meshing with an internally-toothed annulus 22 secured to the ring 16, whereby by rotating this rod the ring 20 is rotated so as to adjust its axial position in the member 1. As the collar 29 is moved to the left for clutch engagement, the rollers 21 first engage an inclined surface 13<1> on the adjacent ring 6, so as quickly to take up the clearance between the friction surfaces, and then engage the curved surface 14, which is so shaped that a substantially uniform force may be applied to the collar 29 throughout the engaging movement. The links 18 finally pass slightly beyond the horizontal position and become locked by the engagement of projections 151 on the links 15 with the surface 13<1>; or the links 15 may be arranged to abut against the ring 16 to produce the lock. In the disengaged position, the rings are maintained spaced as shown in Fig. 3 by springs 36, 37. The clutch contains lubricant or clutch dressing, and sinuous grooves 41 and annular grooves 42 are formed in the friction surfaces as shown in Fig. 7. In the modified form shown in Fig. 8, the clutch is engaged under the action of circumferential springs 82. One series of rings 63 is splined to the outer member 61 in such a way as to be free to expand independently of each other, the other series 65 being secured by arms 65<11>, which permit the rings 65 to contract independently of each other, to a diaphragm 66 secured to a hub 67 splined on the inner member 68. One end of each spring 82 is secured to the outer member 61, the other end being secured to a disc 72 which carries rollers 70 engaging cam surfaces 69 on the adjacent ring 63 and which is in engagement hrough a quick-pitch thread 76 with an axiallymovable control sleeve 73. The latter is in splined engagement with a ring 78 which is in splined engagement with the member 61 and which is adjustable axially by a member 79 threaded in the member 61, a ball thrust bearing 81 being arranged between the ring 78 and the disc 72. In the disengaged position, the outer rings 63 are spaced apart by springs 85 arranged in telescopic members 86, 87 having projections 88 engaging the rings, the rings 65 being maintained spaced from the rings 63 by a spring 89 acting on the hub 67. The member 61 has curved heat-radiating fins 90. Specification 375,341 is referred to.