Centrifugal clutches and brakes-Featured Image

Centrifugal clutches and brakes

Centrifugal clutches and brakes use centrifugal forces to transmit power (clutch) or to limit speed (brake). As the brakes are based on a physical principle, centrifugal clutches or brakes do not require any additional external power supply, which makes them a perfect solution for safety applications.

Centrifugal clutches and brakes consist of a driving shaft with flyweights mounted around it. Flyweights are kept on the shaft by springs, on the outer side of the flyweights, there are friction pads.

Differences between a centrifugal clutch and centrifugal brake:

The main difference between a centrifugal clutch and a centrifugal brake is in the drum: At a centrifugal clutch, the drum is not fixed and will begin to turn when the engagement speed / operating speed is reached. At a centrifugal brake, the outer drum is fix and cannot turn. This causes a braking force when the friction pads touch the drum. When designing and operating centrifugal brakes, there must be a special focus on braking time and the maximum heat.

Typical applications for centrifugal clutches:

Centrifugal clutches are mainly used as a start up clutch. A centrifugal clutch allows the usage of a smaller motor, because the motor can start load free until it has reached its optimum operating speed, at which the load is smoothly added by the centrifugal clutch.

Typical applications for centrifugal brakes:

The main application for centrifugal brakes is limiting the speed of e.g ◘ descending weight or persons ◘ safety- and fire doors – industrial applications ◘ leisure applications – Go Kart to a safe level.
Category:
F-TYPE - Self-increasing clutch
  • High efficiency with a self-increasing effect
  • Performance factor of 2.5
  • Compact design

Construction and mode of operation

  1. The flyweights are seated on
  2. the profiled hub and are held against it by
  3. tension springs, which are hooked into the
  4. linings. Discs locate the flyweights axially. Each lining has a crimping on its inner surface to locate it on the flyweight. This prevents the linings from moving sideways. As the profiled hub rotates, the centrifugal force acting on the flyweights overcomes the spring force. When the speed is high enough, the linings contact the
  5. clutch drum and friction between the linings and the drum allows torque to be transmitted between the two.
construction-f-type
1
profiled hub
2
flyweights
3
tension springs
4
linings
5
clutch drum

Performance data and dimensions

Type Number D [mm] B [mm] 1 d max. [mm] standard bore
diameter
d [mm] (inch) 2		 Standard rotational speed
low normal high
M at nE 750 and
nB 1500 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3		 M at nE 1250 and
nB 2500 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3		 M at nE 1500 and
nB 3000 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3
F01 50 10 14 12 1.3 0.17 2 0.3
F02 60 15 18 15 (5/8) 4 0.5 5 0.8
F03 70 15 22 15; 20 (7/8) 7 0.9 10 1.6
F04 80 15 28 14 – 25 (3/4; 7/8) 4 0.3 11 1.4 16 2.5
F05 90 20 35 18; 20; 25 (3/4; 1) 10 0.8 26 3.4 40 6.3
F06 100 20 35 20; 24; 28 (3/4; 1) 16 1.3 42 5.5 60 9.4
F07 110 20 40 28; 35; 40 (1) 25 2.0 70 9.0 100 15.7
F08 125 20 50 25; 38; 49 (3/4; 1) 40 3.2 120 15.7 180 28.3
F09 138 25 55 30; 38; 48 (1) 90 7.0 240 31.0 320 50.0
F10 150 25 60 38; 48; 49 125 10.0 340 44.5 470 74.0
F11 165 30 65 42; 50; 55 (1 7/16) 220 17.2 620 81.0 870 136.0
F12 180 40 75 50; 60 (2 3/8) 460 36.0 1200 157.0 1700 267.0
F13 200 30 75 35; 55; 65 (2 3/8) 520 41.0 1300 170.0 1850 290.0

1) The transmitted power increases as the width B is increased.
2) Tapered bores and special dimensions can be manufactured on request.
3) Motor power is calculated using a safety factor of 2.

Final selection of the clutch should be accomplished by SUCO!

d = bore dia.
d max. = max. bore dia.
B = flyweight width
D = inside dia. of drum
M = torque
nE = engagement speed
nB = operating speed

f-type_sketch
  • Low noise level by guided pins
  • Performance factor of 1.5
  • Compact design
Pin-guided clutch with three flyweights

Construction and mode of operation

The cylindrical hub carries three flyweights which are located by and can slide on cylindrical pins. Inside the flyweights there are tension springs which restrain neighboring flyweights until centrifugal force overcomes the spring force. Then the flyweights lift from their seats and the linings on the flyweights contact the inside diameter of the clutch drum. Friction between the linings and the clutch drum allows torque to be transmitted.

construction-s-type
1
cylindrical hub
2
flyweight
3
cylindrical pin
4
tension springs
5
linings
6
clutch drum

Performance data and dimensions

Type Number D [mm] B [mm] 1 d max. [mm] standard bore
diameter
d [mm] (inch) 2		 Standard rotational speed
low normal high
M at nE 750 and
nB 1500 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3		 M at nE 1250 and
nB 2500 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3		 M at nE 1500 and
nB 3000 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3
S04 80 25 24 15 (3/4; 7/8) 4.3 0.3 12 1.6 17.5 2.8
S05 90 25 30 14; 30 (3/4; 1) 7.5 0.6 212 2.8 31 4.9
S06 100 25 24 20; 24; 28 (3/4; 7/8) 11 0.8 30 4.0 43 7.0
S07 110 25 30 28; 30 (1) 15 1.2 45 6.0 64 10.0
S08 125 25 40 20; 30 (1; 1/2) 30 2.4 85 11.0 124 20.0
S09 138 25 30 17; 30; (1; 1 1/8) 40 3.0 112 15.0 160 25.0
S10 150 35 40 38; (1 1/8) 78 6.0 216 28.0 310 49.0

1) The transmitted power increases as the width B is increased.
2) Tapered bores and special dimensions can be manufactured on request.
3) Motor power is calculated using a safety factor of 2.

Final selection of the clutch should be accomplished by SUCO!

d = bore dia.
d max. = max. bore dia.
B = flyweight width
D = inside dia. of drum
M = torque
nE = engagement speed
nB = operating speed

s-type_sketch
  • Low noise level by guided pins
  • Easy to service
  • Performance factor 1.0
Pin-guided clutch with two flyweights

Construction and mode of operation

The cylindrical hub carries two flyweights, which are located by and can slide on cylindrical pins. Thetension springs are attached outside the flyweights to lining carriers. The tension springs restrain the flyweights until centrifugal force overcomes the spring force. Then the flyweights lift from their seats and the linings contact the inside diameter of the clutch drum. Friction between the linings and the clutch drum allows torque to be transmitted.

construction-w-type
1
cylindrical hub
2
flyweight
3
cylindrical pin
4
tension springs
5
lining carriers
6
clutch drum

Performance data and dimensions

Type Number D [mm] B [mm] 1 d max. [mm] standard bore
diameter
d [mm] (inch) 2		 Standard rotational speed
low normal high
M at nE 750 and
nB 1500 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3		 M at nE 1250 and
nB 2500 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3		 M at nE 1500 and
nB 3000 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 3
W04 80 15 15 15 1.7 0.14 4.6 0.6 6.6 1.0
W05 90 20 25 14 (5/8) 3.7 0.3 10.3 1.4 14.8 2.3
W06 100 20 30 30 5.7 0.45 16.0 2.0 23.0 3.6
W07 110 20 40 – 8.6 0.7 24.0 3.2 34.5 5.5
W08 125 20 40 20; 30 (1 1/2) 14.0 1.0 38.5 5.0 55 8.5
W09 138 25 55 – 27.0 2.2 75.0 9.8 110 17
W10 150 25 60 38; (1 1/8) 36.5 3.0 102 13 145 23

1) The transmitted power increases as the width B is increased.
2) Tapered bores and special dimensions can be manufactured on request.
3) Motor power is calculated using a safety factor of 2.

Final selection of the clutch should be accomplished by SUCO!

d = bore dia.
d max. = max. bore dia.
B = flyweight width
D = inside dia. of drum
M = torque
nE = engagement speed
nB = operating speed

w-type_sketch
  • Extremely narrow design
  • Lowest noise level of SUCO clutches
  • Performance factor between 1.75 and 1.25 (depending on direction of rotation)
Asymmetric pivot clutch

Construction and mode of operation

Flyweights are normally mounted so that they can pivot on pins, which are fitted to a flange. There are tension springs which restrain neighboring flyweights until centrifugal force overcomes the spring force. Then the flyweights lift from their seats and the bonded linings contact the inside diameter of the clutch drum. Due to the asymmetric arrangement of the flyweights, the torque that can be transmitted by this type of clutch depends on the direction of rotation.

1
Flyweights
2
tension spring
3
lining
4
clutch drum
5
pins

Performance data and dimensions

Type Number D [mm] B [mm] 1 Standard rotational speed
low high
M at nE 750 and
nB 1500 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 2		 M at nE 1500 and
nB 3000 [Nm]		 recommended
motor power
[kW] 2
P11 187 30 175 13 460 60
P12 193 30 180 14 500 70

Other sizes are available on request.

1) The transmitted power increases as the width B is increased.
2) Motor power is calculated using a safety factor of 2.

Final selection of the clutch should be accomplished by SUCO!

B = flyweight width
D = inside dia. of drum
M = torque
nE = engagement speed
nB = operating speed

p-type_sketch

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