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The purpose of a clutch is to initiate motion or increase the velocity of a mass generally by transferring kinetic energy from another moving item. The mass being accelerated is generally a rotating inertial load . Using a friction type clutch the energy is generally transferred using surfaces lined with friction material... Using a positive clutch the energy is transferred using interlocking teeth or projecting lugs. However magnetic force or fluid viscosity is also used to transfer torque
| Clutch type | Description |
| Plate | Two types :single disc and multi disc. Discs generally have fabric linings on both sides to transmit torque from adjacent rotating discs when clamping forces are applied. Clamping force may be via springs. |
| Cone | The clutch drives between internal and external cones instead of plates. The clutch is engaged when the inner cone(external) is forced into the outer (internal) cone. The cone clutch utilises the wedging action of the parts to increase the normal force on the lining. Thus an increase in the tangential friction and the torque results. The clutch has improved thermal properties over a plate clutch . |
| Eddy Current | The torque is transmitted by electromagnetic attraction between the rotating members. Design allows remote control or torque and relative speed |
| Dog | A clutch in which projections on one part fit into recesses on the other part. This is a positive drive clutch. Old fashion design but very simple |
| Fluid | This type of clutch transfers torque using a viscous fluid in a chamber. This system allows the speed on the driven side to progressively increase up to the speed of the driving side. Not very good for sudden changes of load | Sprag | This is basically an inner race and and outer race and the annulus between is occupied by a number of sprags .The sprags are steel blocks positioned and shaped such that if they will transmit power from one race to the other by a wedging action in the driving direction. Rotation in the othe direction frees the sprags and the clutch is disengaged. Either race can be the driver. This type of clutch can be used to allow simple over-running, indexing, or back-stopping. |
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Last Updated 5/11/2001