Hey Guys,

A drag racer, his name I don't know because I don't watch drag racing all that much, came over to my school and I had the pleasent oppurtunity to sit in the cockpit of a drag racer. It was fun althouh it had no brake pedal, for obvious reasons. I overheard someone talking about how it works and mentioned something to the degree of a 'centrefugal clutch' Assuming it's completely different from a standard hydraulic clutch, when applied pressure, connects itself to the engine and power is transfered to the drivetrain and finnaly to the wheels, how does it work in principle?

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Best Regards,

Jake

I'm only semi familiar with them in small engine, single speed applications like go cars, chainsaws etc. Where they look a little like a brake drum and as the rpm reaches a certain level the pads are forces outward engaging the rest of the drive train. As RPM increases the inner part of the clutch is forced against the outer part of the clutch increasing it's grip further.

Good explanation!

So it appears that it doesn't involve any human intervention whereas a standard clutch would require a person to apply pressure to engage/disengage the clutch at the appropriate rpm. I like that, I can only imagine the RPM's of the drivetrain to literally force it unto the clutch!

__________________
Best Regards,

Jake

After a short review, I have a few simple questions;

1.) If the RPM decreases, does the centrefugal clutch stll apply pressure or is it soley dependent upon the RPM increase/decrease?
2.) If it's only one speed, then it should in the instance of letting go off the accelerator remove power from the wheels and therefore making the transmission in the neutral position?


I have a feeling if someone was wanting to invent a new means of transportation, they would use this type of means to convert power (Electricity, Propane, Hybrid...etc..) Since the application of power is constant, wheras in a internal combusiton engine, you have to shift gears to maintain a selected rpm power-curve.

__________________
Best Regards,

Jake

1. In most applications the clutch remains engaged until the RPM is at idle.

2. Depending on how it's designed. In the case of a go-kart It would drive like an auto transmission, only disengaging when the vehicle is near stopped.

A torque converter in an auto tranny is somewhat similar to a centrifugal tranny except it uses a fluid connection instead of a mechanical friction connection.

I just learned something new today, thanks!

__________________
Best Regards,

Jake