The clutch is a kind of mechanical process that transmit rotation as as engaging and disengaging. In the vehicles that have two rotating shafts clutches are useful. In the double shaft system one shaft is driven by the motor and another shaft is by another device. Here are the different types of clutches.
- Electromagnetic: The electromagnetic clutches transmit the torque mechanically and operate electrically. So these are also called as electro-mechanical clutches. Over sixty years back, these are started becoming popular. Since then there are a variety of clutch designs and applications has increased. But the basic operation not changed. For these type of clutches, no linkage is required and suitable for remote operation.
Every time the clutch is engaged, energy dissipates as heat in actuator. It results the maximum operating temperature of the electromagnetic clutch. Another major disadvantage limitation is initial cost is high.
- Safety: Also, called as torque limiter. When a machine encountered higher than the normal resistance, it allows the rotating shaft to disengage or slip.
- Cone: To transmit the torque by friction, cone clutch use two conical surfaces. These are common in some combustion engine transmissions and automobiles at once. Now these are using only in the low peripheral speed applications. The cone clutch does not require to push continuously.
- Friction: Most of the clutches for their operation finally depend on the the frictional force. These are mostly used to connect a moving member to another moving which is at different speed or stationary, to transmit power and/or to synchronize the speeds. Generally between the two members little difference is desired. These are most commonly used mechanisms. Using the surface friction, these clutches transmit torque between two faces of the clutch.
- Fluid: The fluid clutch is a hydrodynamic device. So, it is also called hydraulic clutch. Fluid coupling is used to transmit mechanical power. This is an alternative for the mechanical clutch which is an automobile transmission. It is also used in the areas where controlled start up without shock loading and variable speed operation is required. Those are like widespread application in industrial and marine drives.
There are so many other types of clutches today for cars and your garages. These include dog clutches, centrifugal clutches, overrunning clutches and so on. Each one has their unique capability to work in different areas and purposes.
