Abstract: A frictional clutch for a motor vehicle includes a cover, a pressure plate, a biasing member, an adjustment mechanism and a dust shield assembly. The cover has an axis of rotation. The pressure plate is coupled to the cover for rotation therewith about the axis. The pressure plate has a frictional engagement surface substantially normal to the axis. The biasing member is interposed between the cover the pressure plate, and biases the pressure plate toward an engaged pressure plate position. The adjustment mechanism is centered about the axis and is located at a first radial distance from the axis. The adjustment mechanism is operably disposed between the biasing member and one of the pressure plate and the cover. The dust shield assembly includes an annular wall disposed radially within the adjustment mechanism. The annular dust shield assembly is in axial alignment with the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A friction torque device includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the device in response to wear on a friction surface within the device, and an adjustment limiting member for controlling adjustment thereof. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a first cam ring rotatable relative to both a pressure plate and a cover, and a second cam ring engaging the first cam ring on a side of the first cam ring opposite the cover and rotatably fixed relative to the cover. The first cam ring is rotatable with respect to the second cam ring such that ramped surfaces cam against each other to increase the axial displacement of the first and second cam rings, whereby the axial displacement compensates for wear on the friction surface. The adjustment limiting device is selectively engagable with the first cam ring to inhibit rotation thereof.

Abstract: A friction torque device includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the device in response to wear on a friction surface within the device, and an adjustment limiting member for controlling adjustment thereof. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a first cam ring rotatable relative to both a pressure plate and a cover, and a second cam ring engaging the first cam ring on a side of the first cam ring opposite the cover and rotatably fixed relative to the cover. The first cam ring is rotatable with respect to the second cam ring such that ramped surfaces cam against each other to increase the axial displacement of the first and second cam rings, whereby the axial displacement compensates for wear on the friction surface. The adjustment limiting device is selectively engagable with the first cam ring to inhibit rotation thereof.

Abstract: A frictional clutch for a motor vehicle includes a cover, a pressure plate, a biasing member, air adjustment mechanism and an annular shield. The cover has an axis of rotation. The pressure plate is coupled to the cover for rotation therewith about the axis. The pressure plate has a frictional engagement surface substantially normal to the axis. The biasing member is interposed between the cover the pressure plate, and biases the pressure plate toward an engaged pressure plate position. The adjustment mechanism is centered about the axis and is located at a first radial distance from the axis. The adjustment mechanism is operably disposed between the biasing member and one of the pressure plate and the cover. The annular dust shield is disposed radially within the adjustment mechanism. The annular dust shield is axially alignment with the adjustment mechanism. The shield is sized and oriented to protect the adjustment mechanism from debris radiating outward from a central area of the clutch.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a center pivot irrigation system is provided which prevents the drive towers of the system from rolling out of alignment. The assembly includes a signalling system which is mounted on the drive tower and which is connected to a swivel joint on the irrigation pipe so that predetermined misalignment is sensed thereby. The signalling apparatus is connected to a brake assembly mounted on the drive tower. The brake assembly generally comprises a housing which is rigidly mounted on the drive tower and which has an output shaft rotatably mounted therein. The output shaft is connected to at least one of the drive wheels of the tower. A clutch disc is mounted on the output shaft for rotation therewith within the housing and is adapted to frictionally engage a wall of the housing whereby rotation of the output shaft will be prevented. A pressure plate assembly is mounted in the housing and normally urges the clutch disc into frictional engagement with the housing wall.