Segmented synchroniser clutch

• Main Authors: ROBERTS, KEITH, SKIPPER, GARY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 16.02.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BLASTING; BRAKES; CLUTCHES; COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A synchroniser clutch assembly comprises a clutch hub assembly (1; 101) which, in use, is non-rotatably but axially movably mounted on a torque delivery shaft (5). The hub is positioned between a pair of gears (10, 11) which is axially spaced from the hub assembly and which are journal mounted on the shaft (5) so as to be rotatable independent thereof. The hub assembly (1; 101) has a conical friction surface (12, 13) formed thereon, and a synchroniser ring (15, 16) is positioned between the hub assembly (1; 101) and one of the gears (10, 11), the synchroniser ring being coupled to the gear for rotation therewith and having a complementary conical friction surface (19, 20) formed thereon which is engageable with the conical friction surface (12, 13) of the hub (1; 101) in order create a drive coupling therebetween. Each synchroniser ring (15, 16) is composed of a plurality of separate arcuate segments (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) arranged in a ring, which segments are movable between a first expanded configuration in which the synchroniser ring (15) has a first radius and a second contracted configuration in which the ring (15) has a second radius. Movement of the hub assembly (1; 101) towards the gear (10, 11) urging the segments (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) of the or each synchroniser ring, into one of said first and second configurations so that the conical friction surface (19, 20) of the ring is pressed against the friction surface of the one or the hub assembly and the gear assembly (10, 11), thereby drivingly coupling the hub assembly (1; 101) to the gear assembly (10, 11).