Airflex expanding clutches and brakes are the go-to solutions for braking and tensioning applications. Available in three different series spanning a range of sizes and features, you’ll find the perfect fit for construction equipment, marine winches, laundry machines and more.
How constricting elements work
Airflex expanding drum clutch and brake elements use a rugged, tire-like neoprene and cord tube that expands radially outward when pressurized. The expansion forces a friction surface against an inner cylindrical drum to create torque..
Force applied at maximum radius from axis
Instead of the reduced radius that occurs in plate clutches, expanding clutches concentrate the frictional force on the inside drum diameter to achieve maximum torque. The radius acts as the torque lever arm to generate and apply force uniformly around the circumference.
In Airflex expanding clutches and brakes, friction shoe contact occurs across the cylindrical surface of the drum where the contact velocity is constant. This is an advantage over plate-type clutches where the contact velocity varies across the friction plate face.
Heat generated at the inner drum surface quickly travels to the drum's exposed outer surface area where it dissipates by radiation and convection. This feature is ideal for slip clutch and tension brake applications where heat needs to be continuously dissipated.
As friction surfaces wear, the tube simply expands farther as needed. Normal wear does not reduce torque capacity.
Expanding clutches and brakes do not need lubrication because they lack close-fitting sliding components.
Unlike plate clutches that operate best in a vertical plane, an expanding design combined with its centrifugal effects allows for clutch operation in any plane.
EB series
ER series
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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