Double Cone Friction Clutch

In view of constantly increasing raw material cost and fuel prices it is a main target of truck manufacturers and fleet owners to save fuel. One pragmatic solution refers to switching on/off any auxiliary engine device on an “as needed basis”.

The paper describes a new kind of friction clutch for engaging/disengaging an air compressor. Test results demonstrated more than 2 million cycles at full torque load. Prototype tests with a fully operational single cylinder air compressor have verified and proven the concept at realistic truck conditions.

The authors will describe the development steps of the clutch and the planned development of the current concept.