Overview
Advantages of Pneumatic / Hydraulically Engaged Clutches & Brakes
- More consistent engagement / disengagement than electric devices
- Quicker response times than equivalents
- No electric coil, greater heat dissipation
- Self-adjusting for wear compensation
Advantages of Spring Applied - Pneumatic / Hydraulic Released Clutches & Brakes
- Automatic engagement upon loss of air or hydraulic pressure
- More consistent engagement / disengagement than electric devices
- Quicker response time than equivalents
- Greater heat dissipation due to elimination of the electric coil
CJM Products
- AHA Model spring set, hydraulic / air / pneumatic multiple disc clutches
- AHA Model spring set, hydraulic / air / pneumatic multiple disc brakes
- AFS Model spring set, hydraulic / air / pneumatic multiple disc brakes
- AFJ Model jaw hydraulic / air / pneumatic brakes
Connect With CJM
Air (Pneumatic) or Hydraulically Actuated Clutches and Brakes
| Type | Pressure Present | Pressure Absent |
| Hydraulically Engaged | Engaged | Disengaged |
| Spring Engaged | Disengaged | Engaged |
Pneumatic or Hydraulically Engaged
Pneumatic (air) and hydraulically engaged clutches or brakes require that air or hydraulic pressure be supplied to an internal piston for engagement. As long as the pressure is supplied, the unit is engaged. When the pressure is removed the clutch or brake is disengaged.
Air or hydraulic fluid forces a piston against a pressure plate that squeezes a set of friction discs together allowing the clutch or brake to transmit or hold torque. An in-depth description of the actuation of our pneumatic/hydraulic clutches and brakes is available on our actuation comparison page.
Pneumatic / Hydraulically Released (Spring Engaged)
Pneumatic or hydraulically released clutches or brakes are engaged whenever air or hydraulic pressure is absent. While the air or hydraulic pressure is off, the unit will remain on. Internal springs are used to push on a pressure plate. The pressure plate then squeezes a set of friction discs together allowing the clutch or brake to transmit or hold torque.
The unit is disengaged when air or hydraulic pressure is supplied to the piston. The piston forces a pressure plate against the springs thereby removing the spring force from the friction discs. The discs are now allowed to spin freely without the ability to transmit or hold torque. An in-depth description of the actuation of our pneumatic or hydraulic clutches and brakes is available on our actuation comparison page.