A New or Improved Friction Clutch for Power Letting.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Friction Clutch for Power Letting.
I, KARL LEVERKUS, of 10 Blumenstrasse, Gohlis, Leipsic in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The one
My invention consists in a friction clutch so arranged, that on inserting a key or
crank or similar thing and turning the same in either direction, the tension of a spring
located inside the clutch will be altered at pleasure, whereby the pressure between
the frictional parts of the clutch is increased or decreased according to the power it is
desired to transmit, while the amount of this power will be indicated by a certain
number on a inovable dial, the number appearing through an aperture. The clutch
will then transmit not more than the determined amount of power shown in the said
aperture, but will commence to slide as soon as the required power exceeds the limit.
The friction clutch may also serve as a safety clutch to limit the power transmitted.
I preferably employ a certain well known friction clutch to be described hereinafter
and I adapt it for the purpose mentioned above in the following manner.
clutch half consists in a clutch disk, hereinafter called "C," and in several friction
rings, hereinafter called "H." The clutch disk C is keyed on the one shaft and is
provided on its cylindrical rim at the edge towards the second shaft with an annular
face. The other clutch half consists in a clutch ring, hereinafter called "D," and in
several friction rings, hereinafter called "G." The clutch ring D surrounds the rim of
the clutch disk Cleaving an annular cavity, which is closed in at the one side by the said
face of the clutch disk C and at the other side by the face of the clutch ring D. In
this cavity the friction rings H and G are so arranged, that they interchange with
each other. The clutch ring is provided with feathers engaging in certain cuts of
the friction rings G, so that the latter are prevented from turning at the clutch
ring D and may be shifted only in the direction of the axis. In a similar manner the
clutch disk C is provided with feathers engaging in certain cuts of the other friction
rings H, whereby these are prevented from turning on the clutch disk C, so that
they may equally be shifted only in the direction of the axis.
The
The clutch ring D is rigidly connected to a disk, hereinafter called "F"
latter is made to rest on a sleeve, hereinafter called "1," keyed on the second shaft, so
that the disk F is capable of being shifted in the direction of the axis, while by
feathers it is prevented from turning.
The
On the second shaft a pressing sleeve, hereinafter called "M," is mounted movable
between the clutch disk C and the sleeve I. It is prevented by feathers from turning
on the second shaft and is threaded on the outside. On the end of the threaded
sleeve M rests concentric with the shaft a circular corrugated spring, hereinafter
called "K," which at the periphery touches an annular rib at the clutch disk C.
pressing sleeve M engages in a nut, hereinafter called "N," which is made in one piece
The worm wheel O revolves around
with a worm wheel, hereinafter called "0."
works with a
a part of the sleeve I and
worm, hereinafter called "P,"
shaft of which is pivoted in the disk F and has a square end.
the
The
disk F is provided with a rim or mantle reaching beyond the worm shaft, so that a

page_text: cavity is thereby formed. In the rim or mantle is an aperture, hereinafter
called "Z," for introducing the nave of a key or crank or other thing, that is put on
the square end of the worm shaft. On turning the key or other thing in one
direction, the worm P will revolve the worm wheel 0, whereupon the nut N moves the
pressing sleeve M along the second shaft and presses, it on the circular corrugated
spring K. The latter will thereby be strained and its tension will increase in some
proportion to its deflection. The pressure of the circular corrugated spring K is
transmitted on the one side to the clutch disk C and on the other side through the
pressing sleeve M, the nut N and the disk F to the clutch ring D. thereby a certain
amount of friction will be produced between the friction rings G H, the rim face of
the clutch disk C and the face of the clutch ring D.
On the nut Na gear wheel, hereinafter called "R," is keyed on, which works with
another gear wheel, hereinafter called "S." The latter is fastened on the long nave
of a pinion, herinafter called "T," so that both revolve around a pin. The pinion T
engages a toothed internal ring, hereinafter called "U," which is connected to a
revolving dial concentric with the rim or mantle of the disk F. The cavity formed
by this rim or mantle is shut off by an end plate having an aperture, hereinafter
called "W." During the revolution of the dial its numbers appear one after the
other through the aperture W. Since the gear wheel R partakes in the revolution of
the worm wheel O, it follows, that on turning the key or other thing the movable dial
will be turned at the same time. When the circular corrugated spring K is in its
natural state, the number 0 of the dial will be visible through the aperture W.
When the spring K is brought into its extreme strained position, the highest number
of the dial will appear through the aperture W. Each position of the circular
corrugated spring K between its natural state and its extreme strained position
corresponds with a certain number of the dial, which will be visible in the aperture W.
All the numbers will, therefore, indicate the largest powers, which the clutch is
capable of transmitting at the fixed number of revolutions in the minute, while it will
commence to slide on the required powers exceeding those powers. The circular
corrugated spring K may also be inserted with a certain tension in correspondence
with the smallest power to be transmitted. In this case the dial may have numbers,
the lowest of which indicates the said power.
The connection between the clutch ring D and the disk F may be done in the
following manner. The clutch ring D is bored out on one side and there the flange
at the periphery of the disk F is fitted, while by feathers it is prevented from turning.
To secure the flange in the clutch ring D, there is in the latter close to the flange
an annular channel, into which a split elastic lock ring (similar to the common piston
rings) is introduced. For the purpose of disconnecting the clutch ring D from the
disk there are in the clutch ring several holes leading into the said annular channel.
Into these holes pins are placed, which may either remain loose or be rivetted to the
inside of an elastic hoop-like band. When this band is drawn together, the pins will
push the elastic lock ring out of the annular channel, so that it can be got off.
The number of the friction rings G and H inay be increased or decreased according
to the pressure to be exercised for producing the required friction. Instead of the
described friction clutch proper any other friction clutch may be employed, if so
preferred. The aperture Z may either remain open or be closed by a plate or by
some seal lock to prevent any one getting at the inner mechanism. The end plate is
connected with the rim or mantle of the disk F by screws, the heads of which are
protected against surreptitious interference by a cord or a wire being drawn across
them and closed by leads. The toothed internal ring U may be an external one or it
may be a segment only, also it may be in one piece with the dial. The circular
corrugated spring K may be provided at its nave with an annular disk for taking up
the wear and tear. In the natural state the circular corrugated spring K may be
symmetrical in relation to its centre plane, so that in the extreme strained position it
is concave with reference to the pressing sleeve M. Or it may be convex with
reference to the pressing sleeve M, so that it requires to be
flattened in order to produce the necessary tension. Or it may be still further

page_text: pressed and become concave, ere it attains its maximal tension. The manner of
corrugating the circular spring K may be modified according to the experience to be
collected.
The friction clutch described so far serves for transmitting the power from the one
shaft to the second one, or vice versa. In case the power is to be transmitted from a
shaft to a gear wheel, a pulley or other millwork, or vice versa, the friction clutch
requires to be adapted. For example the sleeve I may be keyed on the shaft, while
the clutch disk C runs loosely between two set collars and the gear wheel, the pulley
Or the gear
or so on may be keyed on the lengthened nave of the clutch disk C.
wheel, pulley and so on inay run direct on the shaft between two loose collars
and carry an annular clutch disk C without a nave etc.
Dated this 28th day of September 1896.
A New or Improved Friction Clutch for rower Letting.
I, KARL LEVERKUS, of 10 Blumenstrasse, Gohlis, Leipsic in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention consists in a friction clutch so arranged, that on inserting a key or
crank or similar thing and turning the same in either direction, the tension of a
spring located inside the clutch will be altered at pleasure, whereby the pressure
between the frictional parts of the clutch is increased or decreased according to the
power it is desired to transmit, while the amount of this power will be indicated by a
certain number on a movable dial, the number appearing through an aperture. The
clutch will then transmit not more than the determined amount of power shown in
the said aperture, but will commence to slide as soon as the required power exceeds
the limit. The friction clutch may also serve as a safety clutch to limit the power
transmitted.
I will now proceed to describe my invention, having reference to the drawing
accompanying this my Complete Specification.
Figs. 1 to 5 show a friction clutch of my invention, Fig. 1 being a vertical
longitudinal section on the line q- in Fig. 2, Fig. 2 a front view taken from the
line 8-t in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a cross section on the line u-v in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a cross
section on the line w-x in Fig. 1, after the disk F has been taken off, and Fig. 5 a
cross section on the line y-z in Fig. 1.
I preferably employ a certain well-known friction clutch as shown by Figs. 1 to 5
and I adapt it for the purpose mentioned above. The one clutch half or member
consists in the clutch disk Cand in several friction rings H. The clutch disk C is
keyed on the one shaft A and is provided on its cylindrical rim at the edge towards
the second shaft. B with an annular face C¹. The other clutch half or member
consists in the clutch ring D and in several friction rings G. The clutch ring D
surrounds the rim of the clutch disk C leaving an annular cavity, which is closed in
at the one side by the said face C¹ of the clutch disk C and at the other side by the
face D' of the clutch ring D. In this cavity the friction rings H and G are so
arranged, that they interchange with each other. The clutch ring D is provided with
feathers D engaging in the cuts G¹ of the friction rings G, so that the latter are
prevented from turning at the clutch ring D and may be shifted only in the direction
of the axis. In a similar manner the clutch disk C is provided with feathers C²
engaging in the cuts H¹ of the other friction rings H, whereby these are prevented

page_text: from turning on the clutch disk C, so that they may equally be shifted only in the
direction of the axis.
The clutch ring D is rigidly connected to the disk F in the following manner.
The former is bored out on one side to form a recess for the flange F" of the disk F
and the feathers D are lengthened so as to engage in the said flange whereby the
disk F is prevented from turning at the clutch ring D. To secure the flange F in
the clutch ring D, there is in the latter close to the flange an annular channel D³,
into which the split elastic lock ring E (similar to the common piston rings) is
introduced. For the purpose of disconnecting the clutch ring D from the disk F
there are in the clutch ring D several holes D4 leading into the said annular
channel D³. Into these holes pins are placed, which may either remain loose or be
rivetted to the inside face of an elastic hoop-like band. When the ends of this band
are drawn together, the pins will push the elastic lock ring E out of the annular
channel D', so that it can be got off.
The nave F1 of the Disk F is made to rest on the sleeve I keyed on the shaft B,
so that the disk F and with it the clutch ring D is capable of being shifted in the
direction of the axis, while by the feathers I it is prevented from turning on
the shaft B.
On the second shaft B the pressing sleeve M is mounted movable between the
clutch disk C and the sleeve I. It is prevented by feathers B from turning on
the shaft and is threaded on the outside. On the end of the threaded sleeve M rests
concentric with the shaft the circular corrugated spring K, which at the periphery
touches the annular rib C at the clutch disk C. The circular corrugated spring K is
provided at its nave with the annular disk L. bearing against the flange M' of the
pressing sleeve M and adapted for taking up the wear and tear. The disk Lis
prevented from turning at the spring K by some means, such as a nose L or
otherwise. The pressing sleeve M engages in the nut N, which is made in one piece
with the worm wheel O. The latter revolves around a part of the sleeve I while
bearing against the nave F1 of the disk F. The worm wheel O works with the
worm P, the shaft Q of which is pivoted in the disk F and has a square end Q.
The disk F is provided with a rim or mantle F reaching beyond the worm shaft Q, so
that a cavity is thereby formed. In the mantle F is an aperture 7. for introducing
Z
the nave of a key or crank or other thing, that is put on the square end Q1 of the
worm shaft Q. On turning the key or other thing in one direction, the worm P will
revolve the worm wheel O, whereupon the nut N moves the pressing sleeve M along
the shaft B and presses it on the circular corrugated spring K. The latter will
thereby be strained and its tension will increase in some proportion to its deflection.
The pressure of the circular corrugated spring K is transinitted on the one side to the
clutch disk C and on the other side through the pressing sleeve M, the nut N,
the worm wheel O and the disk F to the clutch ring D. Thereby a certain amount
of friction will be produced between the friction rings G H, the rim face C' of the
clutch disk C and the face D¹ of the clutch ring D.
On the nut N the gear wheel R is keyed on, which works with the other gear
wheel S. The latter is fastened on the long nave T¹ of the pinion T, so that both
revolve around the pin T2. The pinion T engages the toothed internal ring U, which
is connected to the revolving dial V concentric with the rim or mantle Fs of the
Disk F. The cavity formed by this mantle is shut off by the end plate X, the latter
being connected to the disk mantle F3 by screws Y. The heads of the screws Y may
be protected against surreptitious interference by a cord or wire Y being drawn
across them and closed by leads Y. The end plate X is provided with an
aperture W, through which during the revolution of the dial V the numbers of the
latter appear one after the other. Since the gear wheel K partakes in the revolution
of the worm wheel O, it follows, that on turning the key or other thing the movable
dial V will be turned at the same time. The circular corrugated spring K is shown
in its natural state by the drawn lines, while through the aperture W the number 0
of the dial will be visible. In the extreme strained position the spring K is
approximately indicated by the dotted lines, when through the aperture W the

page_text: highest number will appear.
Each position of the circular corrugated spring K
between the drawn and the dotted lines corresponds with a certain number on
the dial V, which will be visible in the aperture W. All the numbers will, therefore,
indicate the largest powers, which the clutch is capable of transmitting at the fixed
number of revolutions in the minute, while it will commence to slide on the required
powers exceeding those powers.
The
The details of the clutch may be altered to suit the circumstances. The number
of the friction rings G and H may be increased or decreased according to the pressure
to be exercised for producing the required friction.
Instead of the described friction
clutch proper any other friction clutch may be employed, if so preferred. The disk
mantle F3 may be of sheet metal, if so preferred. The aperture Z, which in the
drawing is shown as closed by the plate Z', may also remain open, or it may be closed
by some seal lock to prevent any one getting at the inner mechanism.
toothed internal ring U may be an external one, or it may be a segment
only, also it may be in one piece with the dial V, or it may with the
dial V consist in several loose segments put in a row around the shaft. In the natural
state the circular corrugated spring K may also be convex with reference to the
pressing sleeve M, so that it requires to be more or less flattened in order to produce
the necessary tension. Or it may be still further pressed and become concave, ere it
attains its maximal tension. The manner of corrugating the circular spring K as
shown may be modified. The gear wheel R inay be in one piece with the nut N.
The friction clutch described so far serves for transmitting the power from the one
shaft A to the other B, or vice versa. In case the power is to be transmitted from a
shaft to a gear wheel, a pulley or other millwork, or vice versa, the friction clutch
requires to be adapted. For example the sleeve I may be keyed on the shaft, while
the clutch disk C runs loosely between two set collars and the gear wheel, the pulley
or so on may be keyed on the lengthened nave of the clutch disk C. Or the gear
wheel, pulley and so on may run direct on the shaft between two loose collars and
carry an annular ring C without a nave as shown in Fig. 6 etc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a friction clutch the arrangement, use and application of a circular corrugated
spring K for the purpose of pressing the two clutch members on each other,
substantially as shown and described.
2. In a friction clutch the combination with a worm wheel O, a worm P and a
worm shaft Q, or their equivalents, of a nut N and a pressing sleeve M for the
purpose of regulating the tension of the circular corrugated spring K, substantially as
set forth.
3. In a friction clutch the combination with the circular corrugated spring K, of an
annular disk L bearing against the flange M' of the pressing sleeve M for the purpose
of taking up the wear and tear, substantially as set forth.
4. In a friction clutch the arrangement, use and application of a movable dial V or.
its equivalent for the purpose of showing the amount of power, which the clutch is
capable of transmitting in relation to the pressure between the clutch members,
substantially as set forth.
5. In a friction clutch the combination with the movable dial V or its equivalent,
with a toothed ring U, a pinion T having a long nave T", and two gear wheels S and R,
or the'r equivalents, of the nut N, substantially as set forth.
nated thin 19th dow of Tune 1807