Airflex constricting clutches and brakes are the go-to solutions for heavy duty applications. Available in four different series spanning a range of sizes and features, you’ll find the perfect fit for grinding mills, marine propulsion, drill rigs, and much more.
How constricting elements work
Airflex constricting drum clutch and brake elements use a rugged, tire-like neoprene and cord tube that expands radially inward when pressurized. The expansion forces the friction surface against a cylindrical drum to create torque.
Force applied at maximum radius from axis
Instead of the reduced radius that occurs in plate clutches, constricting drum clutches concentrate the frictional force on the outside drum diameter to achieve maximum torque. The drum radius acts as the torque lever arm to generate and apply force uniformly around the drum circumference.
Uniform contact velocity
In Airflex constricting drum clutches and brakes, friction shoe contact occurs across the cylindrical surface of the drum where the contact velocity is constant. This means Airflex constricting elements will have more consistent and lower rates of wear over plate-type clutches where the contact velocity varies across the friction plate face.
As friction surfaces wear, the tube simply expands farther, reducing the need for maintenance but not torque capacity.
As friction surfaces wear, the tube simply expands farther as needed. Normal wear does not reduce torque capacity, but does reduce maintenance requirements.
No lubrication required
Further reducing the need for regular maintenance, constricting drum clutches and brakes lack close-fitting sliding components so they do not need lubrication.
Operates in any plane
Unlike plate clutches that operate best in a vertical plane, a constricting design combined with its centrifugal effects allows for clutch operation in any plane.
A leader in hydraulics for over 100 years, the Vickers by Danfoss portfolio of industrial solutions deliver legendary performance, even under the most extreme conditions.
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