Brakes

Is a device used to bring a moving system to rest, to slow its speed, or to control its speed to a
certain value under varying conditions.

Clutch

Is a device used to connect or disconnect a driven component from the prime mover of the
system.

DESCRIPTIONS AND TYPICAL APPLICATIONS OF CLUTCHES & BRAKES

1. Clutch-transmits rotary motion to a parallel shaft only when coil is energized, by using sheaves,
sprockets, gears, or timing pulleys.

2. Clutch coupling-transmits rotary motion to an in-line shaft only when coil is energized. Split shaft
coupling.

3. Brakes-stops (brakes) load when coil is energized.

4. Fail-safe brake-stops load by de-energization of coil power off-brake on.

5. Clutch brake-combines functions of clutch and brake in a complete preassembled package with input
and output shafts.

TYPES OF FRICTION CLUTCHES AND BRAKES

1. Plate Clutch or brakes: Each friction surface is in the shape of an annulus on a flat plate. One or more
friction plates move axially to contact a mating smooth plate, usually made of steel, to which the friction
torque is transmitted.

2. Caliper disc brake: A disc shaped rotor is attached to the machine to be controlled. Friction pads
covering only a small portion of the disc are contained in a fixed assembly called caliper and forced
against the disc by air pressure or hydraulic pressure.

3. Cone clutch or brake: Similar to plate clutch except that the mating surfaces are on a portion of a cone
instead of on a flat plate.

4. Band brake: This is only used as brake and the friction material is on a flexible band that nearly
surrounds a cylindrical drum attached to the machine to be controlled.

5. Block or shoe brake: Curved, rigid pads faced with the friction material are forced against the surface
of a drum, exerting a tangential force to stop the load.
ACTUATION

1. Manual. The operator provides the force, usually through a lever arrangement.

2. Spring applied. The force is applied automatically by springs. Thus, if power fails, the springs apply the
brake and stop the load.

3. Centrifugal. employed to permit the driving system to accelerate without a connected load. At a
preselected speed, centrifugal force moves the clutch elements into contact to connect the load and as
the system slows, the load will be automatically disconnected.

4. Pneumatic. Compressed air is introduced into a cylinder or other chamber.

5. Hydraulic. This type used oil hydraulic fluids instead of air.

6. Electromagnetic. An electric current is applied to a coil, creating a magnetic flux.

PARAMETERS INVOLVED IN THE RATING OF CLUTCHES AND BRAKES

1. Torque required accelerating or decelerating the system.

2. Time required accomplishing the speed change.

3. The cycling rate: number of on/off cycles per unit time.

4. The inertia of the rotating or translating parts.

5. The environment of the system: temperature, cooling effects.

6. Energy-dissipation

7. Physical size and configuration

8. Actuation means

9. Life and reliability of the system

10. Cost and availability

T=CPK/n
Where: C-conversion factor for units
K-service factor based on the application
P- Power of the motor
n- Speed of the motor

VALUE OF THE K FACTOR

K=1.0 under average conditions

K=1.5 for light duty

K=3.0 for heavy duty

K=2.75 typical industrial motor

K= 4.0 for high starting torque motor

K=5.0 for systems driven by gasoline, diesel or other prime mover engines

T=5252 (P/n)
Where: T = ft-lb
P = hp
n = rpm

Time, t required to accelerate the load

t = I α = Wk2/g ((Δn)/t)
where: I – moment of inertia of the components being accelerated
α – angular acceleration, rate of change of angular velocity

Δn/t = α

k = √I/m or k2 = I/m

where: m = mass

m = W/g

I = mk2 = Wk2/g

Wk2 – is called the inertia of the load.

Example:

Compute the value of Wk2 for the steel flat-belt pulley.