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PE Positive Engagement Clutch

PE Positive Engagement clutch transmits torque by using AIR FORCE to engage the gears on the driving and driven halves of the clutch. This design has HIGH TORQUE, POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT, AND EXACT POSITIONING characteristics. The gear elements contain a large number of teeth, so that fine input/output phasing can be obtained.

Unlike other tooth clutches which require continual thrust load from a large air cylinder to transmit torque, the PE clutch utilizes a small air cylinder which is required only for engagement. This results in LIGHT BEARING LOADS AND LONG SERVICE LIFE. The PE clutch must be engaged and disengaged at 0-RPM. A backplate flange provides a register diameter and bolt pattern for mounting of a pulley, gear, sprocket, or coupling adapter.

PE ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT

Air enters the air inlet and is trapped between the two viton O-Rings. This forces the the cylinder, thrust bearing, and driving gear plate to move axially and engage the driven gears of the backplate. Both the driving and the driven gears are synchronized, allowing complete and positive engagement under static conditions. Engagement can only occur at 0 RPM.

When air is released from the air chamber, and the clutch is at 0 RPM, the release springs force the cylinder, thrust bearing, and driving gear plate back to its original, disengaged position.