Centrifugal cluth with improved thermal management

Abstract

A centrifugal friction clutch providing for a separation between the pressure and/or fixed plates and the friction surfaces of the clutch discs to provide for reduced heat transfer to said pressure and fixed plates, reduced risk of deformation of said plates, and improved distribution of axial forces to maintain maximum frictional engagement. Said pressure plates and fixed plates further including air impeller vanes or similar structures on their interior surface to further improve heat dissipation and reduce the risk of deformation.

1 . A centrifugal clutch comprising:
 a rotating input drive member;   a rotatable output driven member;   at least one drive disc mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   at least one driven disc mounted for rotation with said driven member and being disposed adjacent said drive disc;   said drive disc comprising at least one frictional surface for engagement with said driven disc;   a pressure plate mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   a fixed plate mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   wherein said pressure plate is physically separated from said frictional surface.   
     
     
         2 . The clutch of  claim 1 , wherein said fixed plate is physically separated from said frictional surface. 
     
     
         3 . A centrifugal clutch comprising:
 a rotating input drive member;   a rotatable output driven member;   at least one drive disc mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   at least one driven disc mounted for rotation with said driven member and being disposed adjacent said drive disc;   said drive disc comprising at least one frictional surface for engagement of said driven disc;   a pressure plate mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   a fixed plate mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   wherein said fixed plate is physically separated from said frictional surface.   
     
     
         4 . A centrifugal clutch comprising:
 a rotating input drive member;   a rotatable output driven member;   at least one drive disc mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   at least one driven disc mounted for rotation with said driven member and being disposed adjacent said drive disc;   said drive disc comprising at least one frictional surface for engagement of said driven disc;   a pressure plate mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   a fixed plate mounted for rotation at the same speed as said drive member;   wherein said pressure plate is physically separated from said frictional surface;   said pressure plate having a plurality of air impeller vanes formed on its interior side.