GB617507A - Improvements relating to centrifugal clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

617,507. Centrifugally-operated clutches. GRAVINA, M. Oct. 2, 1945, No. 25608. Convention date, June 27, 1944. Addition to 586,910. [Class 80 (ii)] In a centrifugally-engaged friction clutch of the kind described in the parent Specification, and in which the two co-operating clutch members are engaged by means of at least one fly-weight acting through a spring or springs, the fly-weight acts on an intermediate member through an operating surface so shaped that at high speeds the effect on the fly-weight of the spring reaction becomes small compared with that of centrifugal force. As shown, the intermediate member 12 is slidably splined on the fly-weight carrier 8 and coacts with a rollerended fly-weight 10 through a cam surface 23. A member 14 slidably splined to the driving fly-wheel 17 and having a spring connection 15 with the presser plate 26 coacts with the member 12 through a ball-thrust bearing 13. At full engagement, the fly-weight abuts a push-rod 20 and compresses a spring 21 which alone is effective to return it, since at this point the line of action of the fly-weight is normal to the surface 23. At other operative points, the surface may be so shaped that the axial displacement of the member 12 is everywhere directly proportional to the angular displacement of the fly-weight. Clutch disengaging springs 24 are provided. In Fig. 5 (not shown), the springs 21 are dispensed with, the fly-weight abutting a solid stop when its line of action makes a small angle with the surface 23.