Fluid-operated clutch mechanism - has chambers alongside driving members producing pumping effect

摘要

The fluid-operated clutch has driving and driven halves and driving members working with the driving half. Chambers (6, 7) are provided alongside the driving members (8), and on actuation of a control fluid flows into the chambers, producing a pumping effect. This couples the members to the driving half, so that the latter drives the driven half. The driving half can be a shaft, and the members a gearwheel (10) fixed to the shaft and auxiliary gears (8) meshing with it, while the driven half is an annular wheel round the shaft. Pumping action by the gears forces fluid into the chambers and locks the driven wheel in position in relation to the driving half.