These qualities make centrifugal clutches well-suited for use in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, the following:. Need a centrifugal clutch for a specific application? BLM Automatic Clutch designs and manufactures custom centrifugal clutches for applications involving speeds ranging from fractional to 3, hp. For additional information about our custom product capabilities, contact us today. To discuss your requirements with one of our experts, request a quote.
Types of Clutches. Some of the most common types of friction clutches are: Manual clutches. Manual clutches must be engaged and disengaged by the machine operator. They are suitable for applications where engagement and disengagement must occur at a specific or consistent rotational speed. Hydraulic clutches. Hydraulic clutches utilize hydraulic fluid e. They are suitable for hydraulic systems where engagement and disengagement must occur at a specific or consistent rotational speed.
Electric clutches. Electric clutches convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. The electrical power source passes a current, which generates an electromagnetic field. The generated electromagnetic field then attracts a pressure plate, which engages the clutch. Download the PDF of this article at the end. In clutch one shaft is usually connected to an engine or another power unit driving member , while the other shaft driven member provides output power for the work.
The clutches used in a motor vehicle are almost very similar in construction and operation. There are some differences in the details of the linkage as well as in the pressure plate assemblies.
In addition, some clutches for heavy-duty applications has a two friction plate and an intermediate pressure plate. Some clutches are operated by hydraulic means. The dry single-plate type of friction clutch is almost used in American passenger cars.
Most designs of the clutches use a number of coil springs but some use a diaphragm or conical type spring. The type of friction materials also varies in the clutches of different passenger cars. Read also: What is clutch and how it works?
Single plate clutches are one of the most commonly used types of clutches used in most modern light vehicles. The clutch helps to transmit torque from the engine to the transmission input shaft. As the name states it has only one clutch plate. It consists of a clutch plate, friction plate, pressure plate, flywheel , bearings , clutch spring and nut-bolts arrangement.
The single-plate clutch has only one plate which is attached on splines of the clutch plate. Single plate clutch is one of the main components of the clutch. The clutch plate is simply thin metallic disc which has both side friction surfaces. The flywheel is attached on the engine crankshaft and rotates with it.
A pressure plate is bolted to flywheel through clutch spring, which provides the axial force to keep the clutch engaged position, and is free to slide on the clutch shaft when the clutch pedal is operated. A friction plate which is fixed between the flywheel and pressure plate.
The friction lining is provided on both sides of the clutch plate. In a vehicle, we operate the clutch by pressing the clutch to peddle for disengagement of gears. Then springs get compressed and the pressure plate moves backwards. Now the clutch plate becomes free between the pressure plate and flywheel.
Due to this now the clutch is getting disengaged and able to shift the gear. This makes flywheel to rotate as long as the engine is running and the clutch shaft speed reduces slowly and then it stops rotating. As long as the clutch peddle is pressed, the clutch is said to be disengaged, otherwise, it remains engaged due to the spring forces.
After releasing the clutch pedal the pressure plate comes back to its original position and clutch is again engaged. The multi-plate clutch is shown in the figure.
These types of clutches use multiple clutches to make frictional contact with a flywheel of the engine. This makes transmit power between the engine shaft and the transmission shaft of a vehicle. The number of clutches means more friction surface. The increased number of friction surfaces also increases the capacity of the clutch to transmit torque.
The clutch plates are fitted to the engine shaft and gearbox shaft. They are pressed by coil springs and assembled in a drum. Each of the alternate plates slides in grooves on the flywheel and the other slides on splines on the pressure plate. Hence, each different plate has an inner and outer spline. The working principle of multiple clutches is the same as the working of the single-plate clutch.
The clutch is operated by pressing the clutch pedal. The multiple clutches are used in heavy commercial vehicles, racing cars, and motorcycles for transmitting high torque. The multiple clutches have two characters dry and wet. If the clutch is operated in an oil bath, it is known as a wet clutch. If the clutch is operated dry without oil, it is known as a dry clutch. The wet clutches are commonly used in connection with, or as a part of the automatic transmission. The figure shows the diagram of a cone clutch.
It consists of friction surfaces in the form of cone s. This clutch uses two conical surfaces to transmit torque by friction. The engine shaft consists of a female cone and a male cone. The male cone is mounted on the splined clutch shaft to slide on it. It has a friction surface on the conical portion. Due to the force of spring when the clutch is engaged the friction surfaces of the male cone are in contact with the female cone.
When the clutch pedal is pressed, the male cone slides towards the spring force and the clutch is disengaged. The main advantage of using a cone clutch is that the normal force acting on the friction surface is greater than the axial force, as compared to the single-plate clutch.
The below figure shows a centrifugal clutch. To keep the clutches in the engaged position centrifugal clutch uses centrifugal force, instead of spring force. In these types of clutches, the clutch is operated automatically depending upon the engine speed.
This made so easy for the driver to stop the vehicle in any gear without stalling the engine. Similarly, you can start the vehicle in any gear by pressing the accelerator pedal. The semi-centrifugal clutch uses centrifugal force as well as spring force for keeping it in the engaged position. The figure shows a semi-centrifugal clutch. Although clutch and flywheel selection seems like black magic science, it really is straightforward.
When the right choices are made you get an unbeatable clutch and flywheel combo that will serve you well for years to come. In the long run, you will save a bunch of money with the right decision to begin with. And can you afford to make a bad decision? Think about it. Karl Benz is generally recognized as the father of the automotive clutch, which was invented nearly a century ago.
There have been many variations of the humble hard-working clutch in the years since. Some slippage is important for smooth engagement, yet without excessive slippage that will cause unnecessary wear and heat issues.
You want reasonable pedal effort yet solid engagement, which is what you will get from our Superior clutches.
Clutch selection depends upon the kind of driving you intend to do. Organic clutch frictions provide smooth engagement and longevity in street use. The Long Style three-finger clutch was original equipment in a lot of vintage applications. Because the three-finger clutch and pressure plate exert incredible amounts of pressure they also create tremendous amounts of clutch pedal effort. Back in the day a stiff clutch pedal was the norm, but not anymore. The Long style three-finger clutch exerts brute pressure on the disc via a series of coil springs between the cover and plate.
Spring pressure is the same regardless of engine rpm. Pedal effort is also the same regardless of engine speed. The Long Style clutch is an archaic design at best. It is easy to depress yet it delivers whopping hold power. The advantage of a diaphragm clutch is greater clamping power than a conventional three-finger Long style clutch yet without high pedal effort.
This is one of the great advantages of a diaphragm style clutch. Another advantage is pedal effort, which is considerably less than a Long style clutch. Modern Driveline brings you greater selection with a complete line of clutches and flywheels from the most trusted names in the industry — Superior and McLeod.
We enjoy an extraordinary relationship with Superior Clutch because each clutch is handcrafted for Modern Driveline. Each Superior clutch goes through rigorous testing throughout the manufacturing and quality assurance process resulting in high reliability and performance.
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