Abstract: A clutch selectively transmits torque and rotary motion from a spindle having an axis of rotation to a drum. First and second shoe members disposed radially between the spindle and the drum move radially with respect to the axis of rotation between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the drum. The first and second shoe members are responsive to acceleration for moving into the engaged position and responsive to rotational speed for moving into the disengaged position. A biasing spring normally maintains the first and second shoe members in the disengaged position when the spindle is at rest.

Abstract: A torque limiting coupling (5) for a driveline driving agricultural implements has driving members (16) which, with reference to the rotational axis (15), are displaced inwardly from a torque transmitting position into a disconnected position. If overloading occurs, the driving members (16) are automatically moved to re-engage a groove (45) in the coupling sleeve (42) if the positions of the driving members (16) and the torque transmitting faces correspond to one another. Also, a switching ring (22) loads the driving members (16) with centrifugal segments (36') which, in the case of overloading, are released by the switching ring (22), thus preventing the latter and in consequence the driving members (16) from assuming the torque transmitting position as long as a predetermined limit speed is still exceeded. This measure ensures that the wear at the driving members and torque transmitting faces of the coupling sleeve is reduced.

Abstract: A clutch selectively transmits torque and rotary motion from a spindle having an axis of rotation to a drum. First and second shoe members disposed radially between the spindle and the drum move radially with respect to the axis of rotation between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the drum. The first and second shoe members are responsive to acceleration for moving into the engaged position and responsive to rotational speed for moving into the disengaged position. A biasing spring normally maintains the first and second shoe members in the disengaged position when the spindle is at rest.

Abstract: A sprag clutch having inner and outer concentric races 1, 2 with sprags 3 pivotally located between the races 1, 2. A circumferential garter spring 6 locates over the sprags 3 to bias them to a wedging position. Relative rotation of the races 1, 2 in one direction causes a centrifugal force CF to act on each sprag 3 to pivot away from contact with the outer race 2. The center of gravity G of each sprag 3 is located radially inwards of its center of rotation C such that when the sprag 3 pivots the centrifugal couple CF increases to overcome the increased tension couple SF of the garter spring to allow a snap action lift off of each sprag 3. The perpendicular distance of the center of gravity from the pivot center of each sprag increases during pivoting to cause an increase in the centrifugal couple. At the same time the perpendicular distance of the pivot point of action of the resilient mean from the pivot center decreases during pivoting.

Abstract: A freewheeling device (11) for torque transmitting purposes at small numbers of revolutions, e.g. at low driving speeds, has two freewheeling parts (14, 17) connected via locking members (25). The locking members (25) engage apertures (24) of one of the freewheeling part (17) and recess (26) of the other freewheeling part (14). If a certain speed of the two freewheeling parts (14, 17) is exceeded, one freewheeling part (14) may overtake the other freewheeling part (17). Switching is effected via a switching cage (29) loaded by centrifugal masses (33) and which moves a switching element (30) into the released position. A spring (36) ensures the transfer into the locked position. A synchronizing device (38) is provided in order to ensure that a transfer into the locked position takes place only at small speed differentials between the two freewheeling parts (14, 17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device 4 for a freewheeling unit 1 of a non-directly driven axle of a motor vehicle driven by a directly driven axle. To lock the freewheeling unit 1 there is provided a first drive element 2 with a number of circumferentially distributed apertures 15 holding radially displaceable locking elements 16. The locking elements, for the purpose of establishing a non-rotating connection between the first drive element 2 and the second drive element 3, may partially enter recesses 17 of the second drive element 3 corresponding to the apertures. Radial displacement of the locking elements 16 is achieved by a spring loaded axially movable control element 10. Displacement of the control element 10 is achieved by radially outward displacement of centrifugal masses 20.

Abstract: An alternator drive clutch limits alternator speed and prevents belt slippage through the use of specially designed and oriented centrifugal weights. Each weight is pivoted to the alternator shaft inside of a drum wall on the pulley and asymmetrically oriented so that rapid rotation pivots a friction pad on the weight progressively away from the drum wall. Acting in opposition, tension springs pull the pads toward the drum wall. An equilibrium of pad to drum wall slippage is reached such that the alternator does not rotate above a safe speed, but turns one-to-one with the pulley at low speeds. At any speed, high acceleration or deceleration can cause the pads to slip before the belt slips on the pulley, preventing belt chirp.

Abstract: A one way acting sprag clutch is disclosed of the type automatically disengaging the sprags from an outer raceway at a predetermined rotative speed of the inner raceway to reduce wear during overrunning, in which the sprags are of an upright shape and are formed with a rocker portion having asymmetric rocker lip portions creating an unbalanced mass. The unbalanced mass causes increased tilting movements of the sprags overcoming the energizing force of the springs at the predetermined rotative speed of the inner raceway and liftoff of the outer end of the sprags from the outer raceway. The upright shape allows a complete complement of sprags to be employed to achieve high torque capacity. The rocker lip portions have abutment surfaces facing the adjacent sprags, which surfaces move into abutment when the sprags move to an overloaded wedging condition to provide an antirollover feature.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch apparatus includes an annular adapter assembly adapted for colinear connection with a rotatable driving member, an independent pulley member connected with a colinearly arranged driven member having an annular portion extending toward the adapter assembly, and centrifugal weight members connected with the adapter assembly for engagement with the inner surface of the annular portion when the rotational velocity of the driving member exceeds a given value, the adapter assembly including at least one vibration dampening device including an annular resilient member connected between annular inner and outer concentrically-arranged portions of the adapter assembly for isolating the centrifugal weight members from the driving member.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch, and a method of producing same, include driving inner runner on whose circumference a plurality of resilient clutch elements are arranged to move radially outwards with increasing speed and, at clutch speed, to bear against an inner surface of a drum-shaped outer runner for driving the outer runner. In order to assure low-wear operation even at high clutch speeds, the clutch elements are constructed integral with a rotating ring and form, together with the ring, an intermediate runner. Segments of the elements extend from the ring in the axial direction of the clutch.

Abstract: A two-speed drive for a generator of an internal combustion engine includes two belt pulleys and centrifugal type friction-clutch coupling. The coupling has an actuating lever formed as a flyweight and pivotally supported against the force of a spring on a pin connected either to the belt pulley of a smaller diameter or to the generator or to the generator fan. The coupling can be mounted either to the driven side of the generator or to its driving side. A coupling jaw pivotally supported on the actuating lever cooperates with a friction surface provided on the housing of the coupling. An angle formed between the direction of action of the resulting normal force acting on the coupling jaw and the line between the pivot point of the lever and the pivot point of the coupling jaw corresponds to a friction angle at static friction.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism including a fluid coupling device having input and output elements, and a centrifugal type lock-up clutch for releasably engaging the input and output elements, characterized in that the lock-up clutch comprises: a cylindrical inner surface formed on the input element; a drive plate provided with friction elements displaceable in a radially outward direction for engagement with the cylindrical inner surface, and cam weights for urging the friction elements in a radially outward direction; a driven plate coupled with the output element; a damper of a resilient material provided between the drive and driven plates; and a cam surface for urging the cam weights in a radially outward direction according to the degree of relative displacement between the drive and driven plates.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch mechanism couples a first driven element to a drive element for rotary torque transmission at a first speed range from a rotary drive source to a load when the rotation of the drive source is lower than a predetermined reference speed. The centrifugal clutch mechanism includes a double-arm coupling lever pivoted to the drive element, a clutch pad or shoe pivoted to one end of the coupling lever and having a surface engagable with an inner surface of the first driven element, and a pair of centrifugal weights carried on the other end of the coupling lever. At least one flat spring is yieldably fastened to the weight or to a stop rigid on the drive element to be frictionally engaged by the stop or the weight, thereby resisting frictional oscillation of the clutch shoe on the coupling lever during a transition range between completely coupled and completely uncoupled mode of operation of the centrifugal clutch.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for power saws. The clutch includes a rotating driven centrifugal weight carrier, and a clutch drum which is concentric to the axis of rotation of the carrier. At least one centrifugal weight engages the clutch drum at predetermined speed of the carrier. The centrifugal weight is coupled with at least one return weight in such a manner that the return weight opposes the pressing force of the centrifugal weight when the speed increases over a certain level.

Abstract: An automatic two-way centrifugal clutch having a pair of clutch members mounted for pivotal movement on a rotating drive member is disclosed. Each clutch member has a first state in which driven surfaces are in contact with a clutch drum interior friction drive surface; a second state in which the clutch members are out of contact with the drum frictional drive surface; and a third state in which clutch driving surfaces are in driving contact with the frictional drive surface. At least two spring members are connected between the clutch members, the springs urging, when the speed of rotation of the drive member is below a first selected speed, the clutch driven surfaces against the frictional drive surface.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly for an internal combustion engine including a first flywheel fixed to the engine crankshaft, a second flywheel rotatably mounted on the crankshaft, and a centrifugal clutch arranged between the second flywheel and the engine crankshaft. In a low speed region of engine operation including idling, the second flywheel is held connected to the crankshaft by means of the centrifugal type clutch, adding to the inertial mass thereof. In a high speed engine operation, the second flywheel is disconnected from the crankshaft to materially reduce the inertial mass of the crankshaft and thus enhance the engine acceleration. The flywheel assembly further includes a hydraulic control means for hydraulically connecting the first and second flywheels during disengagement of the centrifugal type clutch so as to ensure sliding and smooth connection or disconnection between the first and second flywheels.

Abstract: A free-wheel clutch having centrifugally disengageable wedging members carried by a cage, in which the cage is frictionally coupled to the overrunning race by means of a resilient retaining ring. Various forms of the invention are shown including connections to the inner as well as to the outer race.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a chain saw comprising a frame having a handle, a clutch driven by a drive shaft driven by an engine mounted on the frame and including a clutch shoe movable in response to clutch shoe rotation relative to a position of driving engagement with a rotatable clutch drum and selectively operable means for preventing engagement of the clutch shoe with the clutch drum, a bar mounted on the frame for movement between a first position spaced from the handle and a second position adjacent to the handle, means operably connected to the bar for operating the means for preventing engagement of the clutch shoe with the clutch drum to prevent clutch shoe engagement when the bar is in the first position and to permit clutch shoe engagement when the bar is in the second position, and means operable for braking rotation of the clutch drum when the bar is in the first position.