GB190318407A - Improvements in Friction Clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

18,407. Douglas, J. Aug. 26. Clutches; reversing-gearing; variable-speed gearing.- Relates to the construction of a friction clutch applicable for use also in reversing and change-speed gearing. The clutch is formed of two sets of annular - dished spring plates G, H of which the set G is mounted at the outside edge on pins E or in recesses on a disc C attached to one A of the shafts. The plates H are similarly mounted, by their inner edges, on a disc D carried by the shaft B. An annular pressure-plate O is placed outside the dished plates, and the pressure between the plates is regulated by means of cam or eccentric levers N mounted in brackets M on a sleeve L. The sleeve L is adjustable by a spring s and nut S. The levers N are operated by a hand-lever P. When employed in a reversing-gear, two clutches are provided, either of which can be in use while the other is free. The outer half of one clutch is attached to a fixed bracket, and the outer half of the other clutch is fixed to a disc on the driving-shaft, the disc having an internal ring of teeth. The inner halves of the clutches are mounted on a sleeve running on the driven shaft &c. carrying a disc on which stud axles for toothed wheels are mounted. The driven shaft carries a toothed wheel so as to form an epicyclic train with the disc-mounted planet-wheels and the internally-toothed disc on the driving-shaft. The two clutches are operated by a hand-lever and cause the driven shaft to be locked to the driving- shaft, or the loose sleeve to be fixed, when the driven shaft rotates in the reverse direction. In a two-speed gearing, two clutches are employed in connection with two parallel shafts, each having loose and fixed gear-wheels, only one pair of which can be in action at one time. When several gears are used, a clutch is provided for each gear, the driven shaft being made hollow and containing a hand-lever operated sliding rod for operating the clutch eccentric levers. The levers are so set that only one can be in the full operating position at one time, but intermediate gears can be obtained by bringing two clutches into partial engagement, when slip can take place in each of them. The Provisional Specification refers to the discs being partly or wholly provided with radial corrugations in addition to the dishing.