5.

Friction Clutches:
A friction clutch has its principal application in the transmission of power of shafts
and machines which must be started and stopped frequently. Its application is also
found in cases in which power is to be delivered to machines partially or fully loaded.
The force of friction is used to start the driven shaft from rest and gradually brings it
up to the proper speed without excessive slipping of the friction surfaces. In
automobiles, friction clutch is used to connect the engine to the driven shaft. In
operating such a clutch, care should be taken so that the friction surfaces engage
easily and gradually brings the driven shaft up to proper speed. The proper alignment
of the bearing must be maintained and it should be located as close to the clutch as
possible. It may be noted that. The friction clutches of the following types are
important from the subject point of view:
1. Disc or plate clutches (single disc or multiple disc clutch).
2. Cone clutches, and
3. Centrifugal clutches.
1

In all above type the power transmitted by a shaft can be calculated from:
𝑃𝑊 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝜔
T is the torque; 𝜔 is angular velocity.
6.1 Conical Clutches:
A conical clutch transmits rotation from one shaft to another through friction force
on the conical face. The cone has a half of angle 𝛽 and the two halves are forced
together with a force R. as shown in the figures below:
 Consider an elementary ring on the face of the cone at radius r and radial dr. The
length of the ring along the sloping surface is
𝑑𝑟
sin 𝛽
The area of the ring (dA) is:
2∙𝜋∙𝑟∙𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝐴 = (1)
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
We have two theory:
a) Uniform pressure theory.
b) Uniform Wear theory.

a) Uniform pressure theory

Pressure p is uniformly distributed over the contacting surfaces area[N/m2]. The
force normal to the surface R` and the force on the element is dR`.
Assuming that the intensity of pressure over the entire contacting surfaces area is
constant, then,
𝑝 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑑𝑤́ 𝑑𝑤́ ∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
𝑝= = = (2)
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑑𝐴 2∙𝜋∙𝑟∙𝑑𝑟
2∙𝜋∙𝑝∙𝑟∙𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝑤́ = (3)
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
to get the total force R acting on the conical area it can be obtained by integrating
the above equation, which gives:
𝐷𝑜 𝐷𝑜 𝐷𝑜
2 2∙𝜋∙𝑝∙𝑟∙𝑑𝑟 2∙𝜋∙𝑝∙ 2 2∙𝜋∙𝑝 𝑟2 2
𝑤́ = ∫ 𝐷𝑖 = ∙∫𝐷𝑖 𝑟 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = ∙ [ ]𝐷𝑖
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 2
2 2 2
 𝜋∙𝑝∙ 𝜋∙𝑝∙
𝑤́ = ∙ (𝐷𝑜 2 − 𝐷𝑖 2 ) = ∙ (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 ) (4)
4∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
4∙𝑤́∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑤́∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
𝑝= = (5)
𝜋∙(𝐷𝑜 2 −𝐷𝑖 2 ) 𝜋∙(𝑟𝑜 2 −𝑟𝑖 2 )
When the clutch slips, the friction force acting on the ring is dFf=𝜇 𝑑w ,́ this force
produces a small toque (dT), where:
𝑑𝑇 = 𝑑𝐹𝑓 ∙ 𝑟
2∙𝜋∙𝜇∙𝑝
𝑑𝑇 = 𝜇 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑑𝑤́ = ∙ 𝑟 2 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 (6)
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
The total torque is obtained by integrating between the inside and the outside
surface contact of clutch.
𝑟
2∙𝜋∙𝜇∙𝑝 𝑟 2∙𝜋∙𝜇∙𝑝 𝑟 3 𝑜 2∙𝜋∙𝜇∙𝑝
𝑇= ∙ ∫𝑟 𝑜 𝑟 2 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = [ ] = ∙ (𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3 ) (7)
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 3 𝑟𝑖 3∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽

Substitute equation (5) for p:

2∙𝜋∙𝜇 𝑤́ ∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 2∙(𝑟𝑜 3 −𝑟𝑖 3 )
𝑇= ∙ (𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3 ) = 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤́ ∙ (8)
3∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝜋∙(𝑟𝑜 2 −𝑟𝑖 2 ) 3∙(𝑟𝑜 2 −𝑟𝑖 2 )
In this derivation w ́ is the total force acting normal to the surface. If this resolved
to give the axial force:
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑤
𝑤 = 𝑤́ ∙ sin 𝛽 → 𝑤́ = (9)
sin 𝛽
𝜇∙𝑤 2∙(𝑟 3 −𝑟 3 ) 𝜇∙𝑤∙𝑅 2 (𝑟 3 −𝑟 3 )
𝑇 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 ∙ 3∙(𝑟𝑜 2−𝑟𝑖 2) = ; 𝑅 = 3 (𝑟1 2−𝑟22) 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 (10)
𝑜 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 1 2

b) Uniform Wear Theory

Consider the elementary ring again.
𝑑𝑅́ = 𝑝 ∙ 𝑑𝐴 (11)
the velocity of any point is v [m/s] and the angular velocity is ω [rad/s]. Uniform
wear theory assumes that the wear is constant everywhere and it is directly
proportional to pressure and velocity (when slipping).
𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 ∝ 𝑣 ∙ 𝑝
Since 𝑣 = 𝜔 ∙ 𝑟; 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 ∝ 𝜔 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑝
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟
For constant ω, 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 ∝ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑝 → 𝑝∝
𝑟
The wear is constant so it follows that:
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐶
𝑝= =
𝑟 𝑟
As before the normal force is
𝑑𝑤́ = 𝑝 ∙ 𝑑𝐴
Substitute equation (1) for dA
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝐴 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
 𝑑𝑟 𝑐
𝑑𝑤́ = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ ; 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡 𝑝 =
sin 𝛽 𝑟
2∙𝑐∙𝜋
𝑑𝑤́ = ∙ 𝑑𝑟 (12)
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
Integrating between the inside and outside we get:
𝑟𝑜
2∙𝑐∙𝜋∙ 2∙𝑐∙𝜋 𝑟 2∙𝑐∙𝜋 2∙𝑐∙𝜋
𝑤́ = ∫ 𝑑𝑟 = ∙ [𝑟]𝑟𝑜𝑖 = ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ) = ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ), 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑟𝑜
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
𝑟𝑖
𝐷𝑜⁄ 𝐷𝑖
= 2 ; 𝑟𝑖 = ⁄2
𝑤́∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
𝑐= (13)
2∙𝜋∙(𝑟𝑜 −𝑟𝑖 )
𝑑𝑇 = 𝜇 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑑𝑅́
Substituting equation (12) for 𝑑𝑅́ we have:
2∙𝑐∙𝜋∙𝜇∙𝑟∙𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝑇 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
Next, we integrate:
𝑟
2∙𝑐∙𝜋∙𝜇 𝑟𝑜 2∙𝑐∙𝜋∙𝜇 𝑟 2 𝑜 𝑐∙𝜋∙𝜇
𝑇= ∙ ∫𝑟 𝑟 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = [ ] = ∙ (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 ) (14)
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 2 𝑟𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
𝑐∙𝜋∙𝜇
Or 𝑇= ∙ (𝐷𝑜 − 𝐷𝑖 2 )
2
4∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
Substituting equation (13) in to the equation gives:
𝜋∙𝜇 𝑤́ ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 2 2)
𝜇 ∙ 𝑤́ (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 )
𝑇= ∙ ∙ (𝑟 − 𝑟𝑖 = ∙
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ) 𝑜 2 (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 )
(𝑟𝑜 + 𝑟𝑖 ) ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ) 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤́
= 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤́ ∙ = ∙ (𝑟𝑜 + 𝑟𝑖 )
(𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ) 2
And for
𝑤 = 𝑤́ ∙ sin 𝛽
𝜇∙𝑤 (𝑟𝑜 +𝑟𝑖 ) (𝑟𝑜 +𝑟𝑖 ) 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝜇∙𝑊∙𝑅𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟
𝑇 = sin 𝛽 ∙ , 𝑅𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 = → 𝑇= , (𝑅𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝐸𝐴𝑅)(15)
2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽

Ex. 1
A conical clutch has an included angle of 120°. The outer and inner diameters are
80 and 20 mm respectively. Calculate the force required to press the two halves
together if it is to transmit 200W at 600 rev/min. The coefficient of friction is 0.3.
Use both the uniform wear theory and the uniform pressure theory.
Solution
Given: n-600 rpm; β=120/2=600; Do=0.08 m; Di=0.02 m; μ=0.3; PW=200 watt.
Uniform pressure:
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑃𝑊 𝑃𝑊 200 ∙ 60
𝑃𝑊 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝜔 → 𝑇= = = = 3.1831 𝑁𝑚
𝜔 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑛 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 600
60
 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 (𝐷𝑜 3 − 𝐷𝑖 3 ) 0.3 ∙ 𝑤 (0.083 − 0.023 )
𝑇= ∙ = ∙ = 3.1831
3 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 (𝐷𝑜 2 − 𝐷𝑖 2 ) 3 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 60 (0.082 − 0.022 )
3.1831 ∙ 3 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 60 ∙ (0.082 − 0.022 )
𝑤= = 378.5𝑁
0.3 ∙ (0.083 − 0.023 )
b) Uniform Wear:
𝜇∙𝑤 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 4∙𝑇 ∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 4∙3.1831 ∙𝑠𝑖𝑛 60
𝑇= ∙ (𝐷𝑜 + 𝐷𝑖 ) → 𝑤= )
= = 367.553 𝑁.
4∙sin 𝛽 𝜇∙(𝐷𝑜 +𝐷𝑖 𝜇∙(0.08+0.02)
6.2 Plate Clutches:
A plate clutch is a special case of the conical clutch with an included angle of 180°,
it may be idealized like the below figure.

Consider a rotating shaft with a disc at the end that presses up against another so
that rotation is transmitted from one to the other by friction.
This is the special case of the cone clutch when β = 90° and sinβ = 1. This
produces the results:
T = Torque transmitted by the clutch.
p = Intensity of axial pressure with which the contact surfaces are held together.
r1 and r2 = External and internal radii of friction faces.
μ = Coefficient of friction.
Consider an elementary ring of radius r and thickness dr as shown in Fig.
We know that area of contact surface or friction surface,
𝑑𝐴 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑟. 𝑑𝑟
∴ Normal or axial force on the ring,
𝛿𝑤 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 ∙ 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
and the frictional force on the ring acting tangentially at radius r,
𝛿𝐹𝑟 = 𝜇. 𝛿𝑤 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇. 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
∴ Frictional torque acting on the ring,
𝛿𝑇𝑟 = 𝛿𝐹𝑟 ∙ 𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇. 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 ∙ 𝑟 = 2 𝜋. 𝜇 . 𝑝. 𝑟 2 . 𝑑𝑟
We shall now consider the following two cases:
1. When there is a uniform pressure.
2. When there is a uniform wear.
a) Uniform pressure theory:
When the pressure is uniformly distributed over the entire area of the friction face,
then the intensity of pressure,
𝑤
𝑝= 2 2)
(16)
𝜋∙(𝑟𝑜 −𝑟𝑖
Where R is Axial thrust with which the contact or friction surfaces are held
together. We have discussed above that the frictional torque on the elementary ring of
radius r and thickness dr is
𝛿𝑇𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 2 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
Integrating this equation within the limits from r2 to r1 for the total frictional torque.
∴ Total frictional torque acting on the friction surface or on the clutch:
𝑟𝑜
𝑟3 𝑟 𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3
𝑇 = ∫ 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 2 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ [ ]𝑟𝑜𝑖 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ ( )
3 3
𝑟𝑖
Substituting the value of p from equation (15):
𝑤 (𝑟𝑜 3 −𝑟𝑖 3 ) 2 (𝑟 3 −𝑟 3 )
𝑇 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝜋∙(𝑟2 2 ∙ = 3 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 2−𝑟𝑖 2) (17)
𝑜 −𝑟𝑖 ) 3 𝑜 𝑖
2 (𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3 ) 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠
; 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑝 = → 𝑇 = 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ 𝑅𝑝 (𝑅𝑝 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒)
3 (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 )
b) Uniform Wear Theory
The normal intensity of pressure at a distance r from the axis of the clutch. Since
the intensity of pressure varies inversely with the distance, therefore:
𝐶 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑝. 𝑟 = 𝐶 𝑜𝑟
𝑝 = 𝐶/𝑟
The normal force on the ring,
𝐶
𝛿𝑤 = 𝑝 ∙ 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ 𝑑𝑟
𝑟
∴ Total force acting on the friction surface:
𝑟𝑜
𝑟 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑤
𝑤 = ∫ 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝐶𝑑𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ [𝑟]𝑟𝑜𝑖 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ) → 𝐶=
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 )
𝑟𝑖
𝑤
𝐶= (18)
2∙𝜋∙(𝑟𝑜 −𝑟𝑖 )
We know that the frictional torque acting on the ring:
𝐶 2
𝑇𝑟 = 𝑟 ∙ 𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑤 = 𝜇 ∙ 𝑟 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝐴 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟 2 ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ ∙ 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑟
= 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ 𝑟𝑑𝑟
∴ Total frictional torque on the friction surface,
 𝑟𝑜
𝑟 2 𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2
𝑇 = ∫ 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ 𝑟𝑑𝑟 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ [ ]𝑟𝑖 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ ( ) = 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝐶(𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 )
2 2
𝑟𝑖
𝑤 1
𝑇 = 𝜋 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 2∙𝜋∙(𝑟 ∙ (𝑟1 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 ) = 2 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 + 𝑟𝑖 ) (19)
𝑜 −𝑟𝑖 )
(𝑟𝑜 + 𝑟𝑖 )
𝑇 =∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ 𝑅𝑊 (𝑅𝑊 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑒 =
2
General Notes
1- In general, total frictional torque acting on the friction surface (or on the clutch)
is given by:
𝑇 =𝑛∙𝜇∙𝑤∙𝜗
Where:
n- is number of pairs of friction or contact surfaces; μ is coefficient friction is normal
load contact surface; R is mean radius of friction surface.
2 (𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3 )
𝑅𝑝 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
3 (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟2 2 )
(𝑟𝑜 + 𝑟𝑖 )
𝑅𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟
2
2- A multiple disc clutch, may be used when a large torque is to be transmitted. The
inside discs (usually of steel) are fastened to the driven shaft to permit axial motion.
n1 = Number of discs on the driving shaft, and
n2 = Number of discs on the driven shaft
∴ Number of pairs of contact surfaces,
𝑛 = 𝑛1 + 𝑛2 − 1
Total frictional torque acting on the friction surfaces or on the clutch,
𝑇 =𝑛∙𝜇∙𝑤∙𝑅
Ex .2:
A plant clutch has the outer and inner diameters are 80 and 20 mm respectively.
Calculate the force required to press the two halves together if it is to transmit 200 W
at 600 rev/min. The coefficient of friction is 0.3. Use both the uniform wear theory
and the uniform pressure theory.
Solution
Given: n=600 rpm, 𝛽=180/2=900, Do= 0.08 m; ro=0.04 m, Di=0.02 m, ri=0.01 m
𝜇=0.3; Pw= 200 watt.
Solution:
a) uniform pressure
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑃𝑊 200
𝑃𝑊 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝜔 → 𝑇= = = 3.1831 𝑁𝑚
𝜔 2∙𝜋∙𝑁
60
 2 (𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3 ) 2 (0.043 − 0.013 ) 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠
𝑇= ∙𝜇∙𝑤∙ 2 2
= ∙ 0.3 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ 2 2
= 3.1831 𝑁𝑚 →
3 (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ) 3 (0.04 − 0.01 )
𝑤 = 378.5 𝑁𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
b) Uniform Wear:
1 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 2∙𝑇 2 ∙ 3.1831
𝑇 = ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 + 𝑟𝑖 ) → 𝑤= = = 424.4 𝑁
2 𝜇 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 + 𝑟𝑖 ) 0.3 ∙ (0.04 + 0.01)
6.3 Centrifugal Clutches:

The centrifugal clutch is consisting of a number of shoes on the inside of a rim of

the pulley as shown in the figure below.

The outer surface of the shoes is coved with a friction material. These shoes, which
can move radially in guides are held against the boss (or spider) on the driving shaft
by means of springs. The springs exert a radially inward force which is assumed
constant. The mass of the shoe, when revolving, causes it to exert a radially outward
force (i.e. centrifugal force). The magnitude of this centrifugal force depends upon
the speed at which the shoe is revolving. A little consideration will show that when
the centrifugal force is less than the spring force, the shoe remains in the same
position as when the driving shaft was stationary, but when the centrifugal force is
equal to the spring force, the shoe is just floating. When the centrifugal force exceeds
the spring force, the shoe moves outward and comes into contact with the driven
member and presses against it. The force with which the shoe presses against the
driven member is the difference of the centrifugal force and the spring force. The
increase of speed causes the shoe to press harder and enables more torque to be
transmitted.
6.3.1 Mass of the shoes
Consider one shoe of a centrifugal clutch as shown in the figure below
 Let: m = mass of each shoe; n = Number of shoes; r = Distance of centre of gravity
of the shoe from the centre of the spider; R = Inside radius of the pulley rim; N =
Running speed of the pulley in r.p.m.; ω = Angular running speed of the pulley in
rad/s = 2πn/60 rad/s; ω1 = Angular speed at which the engagement begins to take
place; and μ = Coefficient of friction between the shoe and rim.
We know that the centrifugal force acting on each shoe at the running speed:
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝜔2 ∙ 𝑟 (20)
and the inward force on each shoe exerted by the spring at the speed at which
engagement begins to take place,
𝐹𝑆 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝜔12 ∙ 𝑟 (21)
The net outward centrifugal force with which the shoe presses against the rim at
the running speed is:
𝐹𝑛 = 𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 (22)
Friction force acting tangentially on each shoe is:
𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇 ∙ 𝐹𝑛 = 𝜇 ∙ (𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 ) (23)
The friction torque for each shoe can be express by:
𝑇𝑓 = 𝐹𝑓 ∙ 𝑅 = 𝜇 ∙ (𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 ) ∙ 𝑅 (24)
And the total torque (Ttotal) is:
𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑇𝑓 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝐹𝑓 ∙ 𝑅 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝜇 ∙ (𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 ) ∙ 𝑅 ∙ 𝑛 (25)
6.3.2 Size of shoes
Let: l= contact length of the shoe; b= width of the shoe; 𝜃= angle [rad];Pi =
Intensity of pressure always takes as 0.1 N/mm2; A=Area of contact of the shoe.
𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠
𝜃= → 𝑙 = 𝑅 ∙ 𝜃; 𝐴 = 𝑙 ∙ 𝑏 (26)
𝑅
The force which caused by the intensity pressure is:
𝐹𝑖 = 𝐴 ∙ 𝑝𝑖 = 𝑙 ∙ 𝑏 ∙ 𝑝𝑖 (27)
And it equal to the net centrifugal force Fn i.e:
𝐹𝑖 = 𝐹𝑛
So:
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝐹𝑐 −𝐹𝑠
𝑙 ∙ 𝑏 ∙ 𝑝𝑖 = 𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 → 𝑏= (28)
𝑙∙𝑝𝑖
Conical Clutches
Normal load (𝑤́ ) Axial load (w) Torque (Tf)
Type theory
[N] [N] [Nm]
𝜋 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 )
𝜋∙𝑝∙ OR 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 2 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3 )
Uniform pressure ∙ (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 ) ∙
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑤 = 𝑤́ ∙ sin 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 3 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 )

2∙𝑐∙𝜋
∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 )
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 (𝑟𝑜 + 𝑟𝑖 )
Uniform wear 𝑤́ ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑤 = 𝑤́ ∙ sin 𝛽 ∙
sin 𝛽 2
𝑐=
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 )
𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑇𝑓 ∙ 𝑁
Plate Clutches
Normal load 2 (𝑟𝑂 3 −𝑟𝑖 3 )
Uniform pressure ∙𝜇∙𝑅∙ )
𝜋 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 ) 3 (𝑟𝑜 2 −𝑟𝑖 2 )
𝜋∙𝜇∙ 𝐶(𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 )
Or
1
Uniform wear 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 ) ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 + 𝑟𝑖 )
2
Since
𝑤
𝐶=
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ (𝑟𝑜 − 𝑟𝑖 )
𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑇𝑓 ∙ 𝑛
Where R is Axial thrust (force)[N], Where𝑤́ is normal thrust [N], Tf is friction torque
[Nm] , ro is outer radius[m], ri is inner radius [m], µ is coefficient friction [-], β is
include conical[degree] , C is a wear constant [N/m], n is number of the shoe
𝐹𝑛 = 𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑇𝑓 ∙ 𝑛 =
Centrifugal Clutches 𝐹𝑓 ∙ 𝑅 ∙ 𝑛 =
𝜇 ∙ (𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 ) ∙ 𝑅 ∙ 𝑛
𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑇𝑓 ∙ 𝑁
Fn is net outward centrifugal force[N], FC is centrifugal force acting on each shoe
[N].,Fs is spring force [N], Ttotal is total t total torque [Nm]., R is Inside radius of the
pulley rim [m], Tf . The friction torque for each shoe [Nm]., n is number of shoes [-].,
µ is coefficient friction [-].
Ex. 3
A centrifugal clutch is to transmit 15 kW at 900 r.p.m. The shoes are four in
number. The speed at which the engagement begins is 3/4th of the running speed. The
inside radius of the pulley rim is 150 mm and the centre of gravity of the shoe lies at
120 mm from the centre of the spider. The shoes are lined with Ferrodo for which the
coefficient of friction may be taken as 0.25. Determine:
1. mass of the shoes, and
2. Size of the shoes, if angle subtended by the shoes at the centre of the spider is 60º
and the pressure exerted on the shoes is 0.1 N/mm2.
Solution:
2∙𝜋∙900
Given: Pw=15Kw=15x103 w; N=900 rpm or 𝜔 = = 94.26 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠;n=4;
60
R=150mm=0.15 m; r=120 mm=0.12 m; μ=0.25.
Since the speed at which the engagement begins (i.e ω1) is 3/4th of the running speed
(i.e ω). Therefore:
3 3 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜔1 = ∙ 𝜔 = ∙ 94.26 = 70.7
4 4 𝑠
Let:
T= Torque transmitted at the running speed
We know that power transmitted:
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 15 ∙ 103 15 ∙ 103
𝑃𝑊 = 15 ∙ 103 = 𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 ∙ 𝜔 → 𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = = = 159𝑁𝑚
𝜔 94.26
Mass of the shoe:
𝐹𝑐 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝜔2 ∙ 𝑟 = 𝑚 ∙ 94.262 ∙ 0.12 = 1066𝑚 𝑁
𝐹𝑆 = 𝑚 ∙ 𝜔12 ∙ 𝑟 = 𝑚 ∙ 70.72 ∙ 0.12 = 600𝑚 𝑁
𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇 ∙ 𝐹𝑛 = 𝜇 ∙ (𝐹𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠 ) = 0.25 (1066𝑚 − 600𝑚 = 116.5𝑚 𝑁
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝑇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑇𝑓 ∙ 𝑛 = 𝐹𝑓 ∙ 𝑅 ∙ 𝑛 = 116.5𝑚 ∙ 0.15 ∙ 4 = 70𝑚 𝑁𝑚 → 𝑚=
70
159
= = 2.27𝐾𝑔
70
Size of shoe:
60 ∙ 𝜋 𝜋 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝜋
𝑙 = 𝑅 ∙ 𝜃; 𝜃 = = 𝑟𝑎𝑑 → 𝑙 = 150 ∙ = 157.1 𝑚𝑚
180 3 3
𝐹𝑐 −𝐹𝑠 1066𝑚−600𝑚 2.27∙(1066−600)
𝑏= = = = 67.3𝑚𝑚
𝑙∙𝑝𝑖 157.1∙0.1 157.1∙0.1
Ex. 4
A single plate clutch (both sides effective) is required to transmit 26.5 kW at 1600
r.p.m. The outer diameter of the plate is limited to 300 mm and intensity of pressure
between the plates is not to exceed 68.5 kN/m2. Assuming uniform wear and a
coefficient of friction 0.3, show that the inner diameter of the plates is approximately
90 mm.
solution
Given
n=2; N=1600 rpm; DO=0.3m, ro=0.15 m; ri≈0.09 mm; μ=0.3, Pw=26.5 x103 W, p ≤
68.5 x103N/m2
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑁 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 1600
𝜔= = = 167.55 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠𝑒𝑐
60 60
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑃𝑊 26.5 ∙ 103
𝑃𝑊 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝜔 → 𝑇= = = 158.16 𝑁𝑚
𝜔 167.55
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑇 158.16 (𝑟𝑂 + 𝑟𝑖 )
𝑇 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ 𝑅𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟 → 𝑅= = =
𝑛 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 2 ∙ 0.3 ∙ 𝑤 2
527.2
𝑤 = (𝑟 (1)
𝑂 +𝑟𝑖 )
Since the intensity of pressure is maximum at the inner radius (ri), therefore,
Assuming uniform wear
𝑝 ∙ 𝑟𝑖 = 𝐶
and the axial thrust transmitted to the frictional surface
𝑤 = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝐶 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 − 𝑟𝑖 ) = 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟𝑖 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 − 𝑟𝑖 ) (2)
Offset eq. 1 in eq. 2
527.2
= 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑝 ∙ 𝑟𝑖 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 − 𝑟𝑖 )
(𝑟𝑂 + 𝑟𝑖 )
527.2 527.2
= = 𝑟𝑖 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 + 𝑟𝑖 ) ∙ (𝑟𝑂 − 𝑟𝑖 ) = 𝑟𝑖 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 ) = 0.0012
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑝 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 68500
First sol:
𝑟𝑖1 = 0.0012𝑚
Second sol
(𝑟𝑂 + 𝑟𝑖 ) ∙ (𝑟𝑂 − 𝑟𝑖 ) = 𝑟𝑂 2 − 𝑟𝑖 2 = 0.0012
𝑟𝑖2 = √𝑟𝑂 2 − 0.0012 = √0.152 − 0.0012 = 0.145 𝑚
𝑟𝑖1 +𝑟𝑖2 0.0012+0.145
𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟 = = = 0.0731 𝑚
2 2
Ex. 5
A plate clutch has a number of contact surface 5. The outer and inner radius are 75
and 40 mm respectively. The coefficient of friction is 0.25 and speed 2000 rev/min
loaded an axial force 600 N.
a) calculate the maximum power that the clutch can transmit without slipping based
on constant wear theory.
b) calculate the maximum power that the clutch can transmit without slipping based
on constant pressure theory.

solution
identify the following
n=5; N=2000 rpm; ro=0.075m; ri=0.04m; μ=0.25, w=600N
a) Uniform pressure
2 (𝑟𝑜 3 − 𝑟𝑖 3 )
𝑇 = 𝑛 ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑊 ∙ 𝑅; 𝑅 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
3 (𝑟𝑜 2 − 𝑟2 2 )
2 (0.0753 −0.043 )
𝑅= = 0.059 m
3 (0.0752 −0.04 2 )
𝑇 = 5 ∙ 0.25 ∙ 600 ∙ 0.059 = 44.66𝑁𝑚
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑛 ∙ 𝑇 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 2000 ∙ 44.66
𝑃𝑊 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝜔 = = = 9353.57 𝑊
60 60
b) Uniform wear:
1 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 1
𝑇 = ∙ 𝜇 ∙ 𝑁 ∙ 𝑤 ∙ (𝑟𝑂 + 𝑟𝑖 ) → ∙ 0.25 ∙ 5 ∙ 600 ∙ (0.075 + 0.04) = 43.125𝑁𝑚
2 2
2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑁 ∙ 𝑇 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 2000 ∙ 43.125
𝑃𝑊 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝜔 = = = 9032.1 𝑊
60 60
A conical clutch has an included angle of 100°. The outer and inner diameters are 85
and 25 mm respectively. Calculate the force required to press the two halves together
if it is to transmit 250W at 650 rev/min. The coefficient of friction is 0.33. Use both
the uniform wear theory and the uniform pressure theory.
Solution
Given:
N=650 rpm; β=100/2=500; Do=0.085 m; Di=0.025 m; μ=0.33; PW=250 watt.
a)Uniform pressure:
𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑃𝑊 𝑃𝑊 250 ∙ 60
𝑃𝑊 = 𝑇 ∙ 𝜔 → 𝑇= = = = 3.67 𝑁𝑚
𝜔 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 𝑛 2 ∙ 𝜋 ∙ 650
60
3 3
𝜇 ∙ 𝑤 (𝐷𝑜 − 𝐷𝑖 ) 0.33 ∙ 𝑤 (0.0853 − 0.0253 )
𝑇= ∙ = ∙ = 3.67 𝑁𝑚
3 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 (𝐷𝑜 2 − 𝐷𝑖 2 ) 3 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 50 (0.0852 − 0.0252 )
3.67 ∙ 3 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 60 ∙ (0.0852 − 0.0252 ) 0.0629
𝑤= = = 324.08 𝑁
0.33 ∙ (0.0853 − 0.0253 ) 0.00019
b) Uniform Wear:
𝜇∙𝑤 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠 4 ∙ 𝑇 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 4 ∙ 3.67 ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 60
𝑇= ∙ (𝐷𝑜 + 𝐷𝑖 ) → 𝑊= =
4 ∙ sin 𝛽 𝜇 ∙ (𝐷𝑜 + 𝐷𝑖 ) 0.33 ∙ (0.085 + 0.025)
12.713
=
0.0363
𝑤 = 350.22 𝑁.