Hydraulic Clutch: Definition, Components, Working Principle, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Applications (Notes With PDF)

Hydraulic Clutch: Definition, Components, Working
Principle, Advantages, Disadvantages, and

Applications [Notes with PDF]
learnmechanical.com/hydraulic-clutch/
April 9, 2020
Today in this paper, I will show you the overview of a Hydraulic Clutch, and study its parts,
principles, advantages, disadvantages, and the most important part, that is the
applications of this type of clutch.
Definition of a Hydraulic Clutch:

The hydraulic clutch is the important category of a multi-plate clutch. It is mainly
used in vehicles to disengage or engage the clutch plate (A frictional surface
whose one side is connected with the flywheel and the other side is connected with
the pressure plate.) from the engine. Apart from that, it can also be used as an
alternative to the traditional mechanical clutch.
Usually, the hydraulic clutch is used to disengage or engage the clutch by forcing the
hydraulic fluid (It is a fluid that is used to transfer power in Hydraulic Machinery.) to the
disengagement clutch parts. In regards to this, the Hydraulic fluid needs to be highly
pressurized.
Otherwise, it cannot push the clutch system forcefully. Therefore, the clutch does not
disengage. Apart from that, this clutch has auto maintenance techniques.
Therefore, there is no need for manual maintenance system. This hydraulic clutch has
some smaller parts as compared to the other clutches. It may be wrong sometimes, but
for that, no maintenance is required.
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It can maintain itself automatically. Such maintenance needed for the hydraulic fluid to
check in the clutch reservoir as the fluid may be impure. Hence, the hydraulic fluid is
needed to be replaced.
FOR REUSE ATTRIBUTION NEEDED
Components of a Hydraulic clutch

The Hydraulic clutch is made of different types of components. They are as
follows:
1. Clutch Pedal:
Most primary part that engages the clutch in vehicles is the Clutch Pedal. A driver has to
press the clutch pedal to start the engagement process. At first, after pressing the clutch
pedal, the clutch plate starts its rotation.
2. Diaphragm Clutch:
Diaphragm Clutch is usually an independent clutch, but in Hydraulic Clutch the
Diaphragm Clutch can be used. The diaphragm Clutch is attached to the clutch pedal.
When the clutch pedal is pressed by the driver then at first, the clutch pedal pushes the
Diaphragm Clutch then the other diaphragm Clutch presses the flywheel to do further
processes.
3. Clutch Plate:
One of the most important parts of the Hydraulic clutch is the Clutch Plate. The clutch
plate is made of thin metal plates. There is a friction lining present, which is attached to
the clutch plate, on both sides.
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Apart from that, this clutch plate is usually placed among the pressure plate and the
flywheel. The friction lining of the thinner surface of the clutch plate makes its contact to
the flywheel and the friction lining of the outer surface of the clutch plate and that makes
contact to the pressure plate and makes the friction.
4. Friction Surface:
Friction surfaces are attached to the clutch plate on both sides. When the clutch plate
starts its rotation then the friction surface makes contact to the pressure plate and also to
the flywheel. Therefore, the friction force is generated. This friction force makes the high
torque.
5. Pressure Plate:
Another useful part of the Hydraulic clutch is the Pressure plate. The pressure plate is
placed on one side of the clutch plate. The pressure plate is attached with springs with
the help of the bolts and along with the clutch pedals.
The friction surfaces of the clutch plate make contact with the pressure plate. The
pressure plate’s function mainly depends on weight. When weight is given to the pressure
plate then it makes contact with the friction surface of the clutch plate and produces the
friction.
6. Flywheel:
Another useful part of the Hydraulic clutch is Flywheel. The flywheel has placed on
another side of the clutch plate. The flywheel is attached to the transmission shift. The
friction surfaces of the clutch plate make contact with the flywheel. So, friction is
produced.
7. Diaphragm Spring:
Diaphragm Spring is attached to the pressure plate. These springs mainly work, with the
help of the pressure plate. This pressure is produced from the high weight, that is given to
the pressure plate. Along with that, thrust spring makes contact with the friction surface of
the clutch plate and produce high friction.
8. Splined Sleeves:
Splined sleeves are mainly used to make engagement and disengagement in the multi-
plate clutch system or mainly in the Hydraulic clutch system. These Splined sleeves are
placed between the friction lining of the clutch plate and the pressure plate.
When pressure plate gives pressure then the splined sleeves used to go forward to make
the clutch engaged and when the pressure plate releases the pressure then the splined
sleeves used to go back to make the clutch disengaged.
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FOR REUSE ATTRIBUTION NEEDED
Working Principle of a Hydraulic Clutch:

The working procedure of the Hydraulic Clutch is usually divided into two parts. One is
Engagement and another one is Disengagement. The following section discusses the
same concisely;
Engagement:
At first, the Clutch pedal has to be pressed by the driver of a vehicle to start the
engagement process.
When the clutch pedal is pressed then it starts the working process of the
diaphragm Clutch.
The clutch pedal is attached to the clutch plate. Therefore, the clutch plate starts its
rotation.
The friction surfaces of the clutch plate can be used to make contact with the
pressure plate and also flywheel.
The pressure plate gives pressure to the spring and spring makes contact with the
splined sleeves.
Then the attachment of pressure plate, splined sleeves, friction surfaces, clutch
plate, and the flywheel is made and the engagement is done in this way.
Disengagement:
At first, the Clutch pedal has to be released by the driver of a vehicle to start the
disengagement process.
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The splined sleeves come backward and release the contact of the pressure plate
and the clutch plate.
Then the flywheel also released from the contact of the clutch plate.
The rotation of the clutch plate becomes slow down and at last stops.
Then the disengagement process is done in this way.
Advantages of a Hydraulic Clutch:

There are many advantages of the hydraulic clutch. Some of the advantages are
stated below:
The hydraulic clutch is self-lubricated so the hydraulic clutch needs no maintenance

for lubricating the clutch.
In the case of a hydraulic clutch, the height of the pedal is adjusted automatically.
In comparison to the other clutch systems, the hydraulic clutch can give an easier
feeling during pushing the clutch.
There are many variations present of the hydraulic clutch so this clutch can be fitted
at any place.
Due to corrosion the, inner wires that used in the mechanical clutch may bend so
mockingly the wires can get stuck. This incident can lead the damage to the clutch.
But in the case of the hydraulic clutch, this type of damage is not possible. Because
a replacement of a particular fluid in the hydraulic clutch is enough to prevent the
above type of damage.
Loosing of the cable after some time affects the disengagement process that may
damage the clutch completely. But in the case of the hydraulic clutch, there is no
cable required so this clutch is safe from damage caused by loosening the cable.
So, using a hydraulic clutch instead of other clutch is safer and more reliable.
It is better to use the hydraulic clutch because of quality. The quality of this
hydraulic clutch is better than the mechanical clutch.
Disadvantages of a Hydraulic Clutch:

There are many disadvantages of the hydraulic clutch also present. Some of the
disadvantages of the hydraulic clutch are stated below:
The hydraulic clutch consists of some mechanisms such as the slave cylinder and
cylinder are the two mechanisms of this clutch. So, there is a chance of outflow of
fluid that can be used in the hydraulic clutch. This outflowing happens from the
cylinder as well as from the slave cylinder due to the damage that results in the
leakages. For repairing this damage, users have to spend extra money.
This hydraulic clutch consists of plastic of metallic piping systems. This pipe is
breakable or can be teared down. So, time to time checking is necessary. This is
more expensive to maintain damage prevention.
For proper functioning, standard and correct fluid is required otherwise seals may
be damaged. So, maintaining the standard for proper fluid can be a little more
expensive.
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Time to time checking the level of fluid of the hydraulic clutch is compulsory for
users.
The price of the hydraulic clutch is more expensive than the mechanical clutch. This
is one of the most crucial disadvantages of this clutch.
Application or Use of the Hydraulic Clutch:

Most of the reputed car manufacturers are opting for the hydraulic clutch for their
products for quality and simplicity in applications. Nowadays the use of the hydraulic
clutch is highly observed in trucks and automotive industries also. Due to the features of
self-oiling or lubrication, auto -adjustment, low effort to the actual adjustment, the
hydraulic clutch is used in various systems.
READ MORE ON CLUTCH
Clutch Overview
Centrifugal Clutch
Hydraulic Clutch
References [External Links]:
Hydraulic System - What is a hydraulic system?

The Basic Idea - A Hydraulic System | HowStuffWorks
Media Credits:
All the images used in this paper are made by Learn Mechanical under
Creative Common License [Attribution Needed].
Feature Image: Designed by the author
Video by: American Powertrain
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Hydraulic Clutch: Definition, Components, Working

Principle, Advantages, Disadvantages, and

Definition of a Hydraulic Clutch:

FOR REUSE ATTRIBUTION NEEDED

Components of a Hydraulic clutch

Working Principle of a Hydraulic Clutch:

Advantages of a Hydraulic Clutch:

The hydraulic clutch is self-lubricated so the hydraulic clutch needs no maintenance

Disadvantages of a Hydraulic Clutch:

Application or Use of the Hydraulic Clutch:

READ MORE ON CLUTCH

References [External Links]:

Hydraulic System - What is a hydraulic system?

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