Actuation of Hydraulic / Pneumatic Clutches and Brakes
Type | Pressure Present | Pressure Absent |
Hydraulically Engaged | Engaged | Disengaged |
Spring Engaged | Disengaged | Engaged |
Pneumatic / Hydraulically Engaged Clutches and Brakes
Pneumatic clutches and brakes, also referred to as air or hydraulic clutches and 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 air 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 hydraulic / pneumatic clutches and brakes is available on our actuation comparison page.
Pneumatic / Hydraulically Released (Spring Engaged) Clutches and Brakes
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 hydraulic or pneumatic clutches and brakes is available on our actuation comparison page.
Leverage Our Pneumatic Clutches and Brakes Expertise
If you have questions about pneumatic clutches and brakes, our experts are ready to help. Reach out by filling out the brief form on this page or contact a member of our service team.
Overview
Advantages of Hydraulic / Pneumatic Brakes & Clutches
- 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, Hydraulic / Pneumatic Released Brakes & Clutches
- 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 PNEUMATIC CLUTCH & BRAKE 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