Helicopter Centrifugal Clutch
David
Does anyone know a supplier of centrifugal clutches
that would be suitable for a homebuilt helicopter.
A supplier in the UK would be great but one in the
US who be acceptable.
Any help greatly received.
David
--
Dave
PEMod
Try Ken Brock Manufacturing in Westminister, California. He's the man to see.
He makes all kinds of aircraft hardware and if he doesn't have one, I'm sure he
knows where you can get one.
Jon Buys
I'd say you're a brave man relying on a centrifugal clutch for a rotor
craft!
David <10010...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in article
<em23lvv...@ntdwwaaw.compuserve.com>...
> Does anyone know a supplier of centrifugal clutches
> that would be suitable for a homebuilt helicopter.
> Dave
Arnold B Christensen
Jon I wonder how you think the power gets from the engine to the
transmission? Centrifugal clutches on all the helicopters I am familiar
with.
Jon Buys wrote:
>
> I'd say you're a brave man relying on a centrifugal clutch for a rotor
> craft!
Chris the Bigfoot, 65-66 B Co, 228th ASHBn(Hooks)(First Hooks in
Country), Panther 140, 1st CAV, 1st Team, 1st String, original
Boatperson (Boxer) and 71 Air Vietnam Chief Tech Insp, Arlington, TX,
ab...@airmail.net
>
> David <10010...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in article
> <em23lvv...@ntdwwaaw.compuserve.com>...
> > Does anyone know a supplier of centrifugal clutches
> > that would be suitable for a homebuilt helicopter.
> > Dave
>
>
--
Eric Proffitt
Jon, most modern helicopters have centrifugal clutches!
ROTOPUP
>Jon Buys wrote:
>>
>> I'd say you're a brave man relying on a centrifugal clutch for a rotor
>> craft!
All helicopters have some form of "overrun" clutches, whether centrifugal or
sprague type. Without them you would really have to be "Brave".
R Herron
Arnold B Christensen
My opologies to all. I should have written sprag in lieu of centrifugal
Chris
Arnold B Christensen wrote:
>
> Jon I wonder how you think the power gets from the engine to the
> transmission? Centrifugal clutches on all the helicopters I am familiar
> with.
>
Ken King
I don't think that he is any braver than anyone else, a huey has a
centrifical clutch.
small spring load fingers force the clutch to engage in the tranmission
and release when the power is lost (autorotate). The clutch is located
in the imput quille ahead of the short shaft which is ahead of the engine.
Jon Buys wrote:
> I'd say you're a brave man relying on a centrifugal clutch for a rotor
> craft!
>
vic
Jon, What are you using to disconnect the engine from the rotor during
autorotations? Without a centrifugal clutch, autorotations in turbine
aircraft would be less tolerant of rotor speed and in recip aircraft
would be just about impossible. -vic
Jon Buys wrote:
>
> I'd say you're a brave man relying on a centrifugal clutch for a rotor
> craft!
>
> David <10010...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in article
> <em23lvv...@ntdwwaaw.compuserve.com>...
> > Does anyone know a supplier of centrifugal clutches
> > that would be suitable for a homebuilt helicopter.
> > Dave
>
>
--
For personal e-mail and mail with attachments, please use
vlent at worldnet dot att dot net. Thanks. -vic
>
"There are only three true sports; Auto Racing, Bullfighting
and Mountain climbing. All the rest are children's games at which men
play.",
e hemingway?
Gene Shimko
vic wrote:
>
> Jon, What are you using to disconnect the engine from the rotor during
> autorotations? Without a centrifugal clutch, autorotations in turbine
> aircraft would be less tolerant of rotor speed and in recip aircraft
> would be just about impossible. -vic
>
I believe most piston powered helicopters have two clutches. The first
is to keep the engine isolated from the gearboxe(s) and rotor system
during engine start. This could be a centrifugal (Hiller) or a
manually/electrically engaged type like on a Hughes. Then an overrunning
clutch like a sprag type so the engine doesn't drag the rotor speed down
if you cut the throttle or if the engine dies.
Turbines are a little different. Most helicopter turbines are "two
shaft" machines. In these type engines the gas generator shaft is
physically not connected to the power turbine shaft. When you start, the
engine core or gas generator spools up to speed, and the power turbine
follows along and starts to spin up turning the rotor along with it
(Jetranger). There is no need for a clutch between the engine and the
main gearbox. There is, however, still the need for an overrunning
clutch for the rotor system in case there is a mechanical failure of the
engine and it jams the power turbine. I think there are some turbine
helicopters when single shaft turbines (Gazelle). I am not sure of the
connection details of these ships. BTW, does anybody know how the
turbine Mini 500 is set up?
Gene Shimko
rra...@ibm.net
Gene,
I am not sure of the
>connection details of these ships. BTW, does anybody know how the
>turbine Mini 500 is set up?
Yes. Joe has no clutch from the engine up to the sprag clutch. He drives
the engine (for start) by the original Rotax starter turning a new ring gear
bolted to the engine side of the sprag clutch. I watched it start from
close up and couldn't believe he started that neat little turbine with the
original motorcycle battery and Rotax starter. Admittedly, his fuel control
is crude at this stage. With the proper fuel valve, he should be able to
control the starting EGT by modulating the start fuel. As it is now, he has
to cut the start fuel momentarily and let the EGT fall then reintroduce fuel
to continue the start. A bigger battery would also help. When I was there,
I suggested that with a slight modification of the battery box, a NAPA
garden tractor battery would fit. It would have approximately twice the
cranking power of the motorcycle batter.
Anyway, I'm rambling.........
Take care,
Ralph
Canby, Oregon
K&AT
Uh! What about the Bell OH-13 and the Hiller OH-23 clutches?
Arnold B Christensen wrote in message ...
>My opologies to all. I should have written sprag in lieu of centrifugal
>Chris
>
>Arnold B Christensen wrote:
>>
>> Jon I wonder how you think the power gets from the engine to the
>> transmission? Centrifugal clutches on all the helicopters I am familiar
>> with.
>>
Arnold B Christensen
Of course the 13 and 23 used centrifugal clutches, but in my post I was
afraid it would be implied that all the other helicopters use
centrifugal clutches and that is untrue.
Chris the Bigfoot