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Freewheel One-Way Clutch & Holdback Devices

Sprag Type Freewheel one-way Clutches

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Centrifugal Lift-off Sprags (CLS) Type Freewheel One-way Clutches

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Housing Freewheel Clutches

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Roller Type Freewheel one-way Clutches

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Sprag Cage Freewheels

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Application of Freewheel one Way Clutches

  • Conveyor belts
  • Textile machines
  • Elevators
  • Roller conveyor
  • Bucket elevators
  • Press machine
  • Gearbox
  • Cooling tower
  • Electric motor
  • Steel plant
  • Coal crushing equipment
  • Packaging machines
  • Pump & Compressor
  • Fan & ventilators
  • Rolling  mills
  • Power Plants
  • High-voltage switchgear
  • Engine test benches
  • Winches
  • Two speed Drives (Dual Drives)
  • Fish Net Machines
  • Air Preheaters
  • Cranes & Hoist

Freewheel One-way Clutches are used as

1) Backstop/Holdback

Backstopping function prevents reverse rotation when input drive is discontinued or power supply failure to input drive. The freewheel clutch continues overrunning / freewheeling when the equipment is in operation or working mode and it engages if reverse rotation occurs unexpectedly. Backstop/Holdback is used to prevent the shaft from rotating in the opposite direction.

This function simply achieved by anchoring one race of the clutch so that the other race is free to rotate in one (required) direction but is immediately locked in reverse direction. Normally, outer race or outer race flange or torque arm of the clutch is fixed to the stationary part - equipment frame and inner race fitted on to the drive shaft- rotating freely.

Application: Conveyor, Bucket Elevator, Lifter, Motor Wintch, Crane, Elevators

2) Overrunning Clutch

The overrunning clutch is automatically disengaged when the driving member rotates faster than the driven member. Various situations of engagement and disengagement are arbitrarily repeated when the freewheel clutch inner and outer races engage each other to transmit torque and when the freewheel clutch engages due to the difference in rotating speed and direction between the inner and outer races. This has the same behaviour as a freewheel on the rear bicycle wheel.

Application: Large Blower (Fan), Kiln, Heavy Industry Machinery, Crusher, Textile Machines, Agricultural Machinery.

3) Indexing Clutch

Indexing function allows the conversion of reciprocating motion applied to the driving race of the clutch into unidirectional intermittent (rotational) motion of the driven race. Transmits torque to the inner race (shaft) by converting the outer race motion for a certain cycle into intermittent rotary movement. High-frequency engagement and freewheeling are repeated in this application.

Used for Packaging Machines and steel sheet in presses. The intermittent movement can also be used for obtaining slow rotational speeds for products such as inking rollers. In this application the clutch is often called "Indexing / Feeding" clutch.

Application: Cutting Machines, Press, Quilting Machines, Packing Machines, Textile machines, Printing machines, Filling plants

Working Principle

The Basic Principle of Freewheel One-way clutch is based on wedge friction theory. Free wheel one way clutch is mechanical device having special characteristics:

  • In one direction of rotation there is no engagement between the inner and outer race; continues overrunning operation.
  • In the other direction of rotation there is contact between the inner race and outer race: able to transmit torque.

NMTG Freewheel One-way clutches are designed to transmit torque in one direction, and overrunning (Freewheeling) in opposite direction. As the contacts between wedging elements (Roller, Sprag, CLS Cam, NDC Sprag, etc.) with Inner race & Outer race, these generates clamping forces. NMTG all Freewheel One-way clutches design utilize the same principles of operation. The three most common type of function/applications are listed below.

Freewheel One-way Clutches are used as:

  • Backstop/Holdback
  • Overrunning clutch
  • Indexing clutch

NMTG Freewheel one way clutches are available in three basic designs:

  • Sprag Type
  • Roller Type
  • Centrifugal Lift off Sprag (CLS)

Freewheel clutch speed is a major determining factor in selecting the design best suited for each application. Roller clutches are used for applications with low-to-medium overrunning speeds and for indexing. Sprag & Centrifugal Lift off Sprag (CLS) clutches are the choice for applications with high overrunning speeds and for backstopping.

With each basic design there are several variations to choose from to meet specific application requirements. These variations include clutches with or without internal bearings, as well as a range of mounting flanges, covers and couplings.