Abstract: Power is transmitted from a motor to a pump or other device through a variable speed drive having a vertical input shaft disposed above a coaxial vertical output shaft. The shafts are rotatably supported by corresponding bearings retained within hub portions of a housing, and interfitting annular clutch plates and clutch discs are alternately connected to the input and output shafts. The clutch discs and plates are forced together by a fluid actuated piston, and the input shaft defines a passage for directing lubricating and cooling oil into the center of the clutch plates and discs so that the oil flows outwardly into an annular collecting chamber surrounding the clutch plates. The housing defines an annular oil reservoir chamber surrounding the oil collecting chamber, and heated oil is pumped from the collecting chamber through a heat exchanger and into the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a projecting crankshaft on which a sleeve is mounted for supporting a set of annular clutch plates disposed in interfitting relation with a set of annular clutch discs. The clutch discs are mounted on a cooling fan support shaft which is aligned with the crankshaft and is rotatably supported by a clutch housing secured to an oil pump housing mounted on the engine block. The lubricating oil for the engine is also pumped axially through the sleeve and outwardly between the clutch plates and discs which are movable between a clamped position and a released position in response to axial movement of an air actuated non-rotating annular piston surrounding the crankshaft. The piston may also be actuated to engage an annular brake surrounding the crankshaft when it is desired to brake the output shaft and prevent rotation of the cooling fan.