I need some help from the collective brains trust, I'm trying to think of some 'clutch' system so that you can operate say a lever and disengage a baker fan (or any accessory for that matter) from being run off an engine and then to also be able to re-engage.
It would be terrific for seeing the load that a baker fan applies to an engine.
I have thought of making the clutch out of two round metal discs with large grit wet & dry sandpaper on them that engages and disengages, but don't think that would work.
Has anyone got any clever ideas for a simple clutch arrangement?
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Jim,
Perhaps tensioner pulley mount on lever locked in place with a wing nut in a groove like a car alternator. Another
idea might be to mount fan on shelf/drawer slide and hand tension and latch to keep in place. Let us know what you come up with.
Len.
I need some help from the collective brains trust, I'm trying to think of some 'clutch' system so that you can operate say a lever and disengage a baker fan (or any accessory for that matter) from being run off an engine and then to also be able to re-engage.
It would be terrific for seeing the load that a baker fan applies to an engine.
I have thought of making the clutch out of two round metal discs with large grit wet & dry sandpaper on them that engages and disengages, but don't think that would work.
Has anyone got any clever ideas for a simple clutch arrangement?
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Jim, I have pondered this very question on & off for the last few years. There are several methods to choose from. I've always wanted to produce a miniature version of the clutch system that Wheel Horse used for decades ( couldn't find a appropriate video),similar to what you described above. If you look at the clutch system on your D32 you'll find something very similar.I always wanted to find something that was extremely efficient with as little drag as possible (these are after all...toys) you could always go with the idler pulley that has a lever to tighten the slack from the drive belt. maybe we should offer the idea out as a machinist competition and see what everyone comes up with after a month or two, just a thought 😊
Still thinking here , I would check all the RC transmission/gearbox assemblies you can research, I've had good luck in this area. I remember Scott Rouse had an old German overhead line shaft with a lever that would engage/disengage the lineshaft.
I'm on it from this side of the world 😀
Erector set motor gearbox ?
For the amount of torque being produced and the low speed, just having gears that are engaged and disengaged should be fine. I had an industrial sewing machine motor once that had a clutch, and it was just 2 conical faces with leather on one that jammed together to lock, I think that again depends on the load being used and the torques involved, but that would be quite easy to miniaturize.
I've long had an idea that might serve along these lines, but I'm not finding the right words to try and describe it. It could serve as a multi-functional clutch / infinitely variable gearing transmission unit. If I find the right words I'll get back to you, meanwhile I'll think hard on it and see if it still seems a feasible idea!?!?
Thanks one and all, like Bruce the urge to build a clutch comes and goes.....but the last couple of weeks if I'm lying in bed and unable to sleep....designing a clutch system is what is on my mind!
https://youtu.be/IUYZ4BmHR1Y could certainly be miniaturized, groves with orings could be used in place of the leather "wear face" and with some careful planning could be made quite compact as well. I think the hardest part of the design is how to keep the input and output pullies from shifting with the engagement of the clutch.
MFT, I like that cone idea....that would be a gentle clutch to engage.
I'm not sure if my skillset it up to fabricating something like that though.
Bruce...are you going to have a go at making something like that?
Bruce...are you going to have a go at making something like that?
Not quite like the one above Jim, I believe its made for an engine twice the size of what I would normally use , but I did order some very small roller bearings for a transfer fork of some kind. I do favor a version of Wilesco's D32 transmission.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with mate.