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WE'VE GONE FULL CIRCLE WITH ELECTRIC!


in 1996 we achieved a world record of 200km per litre powered by a diesel engine fitted to this original City El. We've now completed the transplant and gone full circle but

with lithium batteries!







TIME FOR A "HEART" TRANSPLANT FOR THE COMBIDRIVE MOUSE


The shortcomings of the Danish City EL electric car (from 1987) were soon clear to us after we tried to promote sales in Wales with a demonstrator vehicle. The range was very limited by the combination of 3 tractor sized lead acid batteries and plenty of hills which are non existent in Denmark! Everything else about the vehicle was "healthy" so we transplanted a diesel engine in place of the electric transmission. We renamed the car "Mouse", achieved a world record of 568mpg during the 1996 Shell Mileage Marathon and subsequently achieved 255mpg  in 1998 on public roads with "AA" observers.



The Mouse was road tested  by  Steve Berry from Top Gear in 2008 (see "Mouse on Top Gear" Utube). In later years the car was placed at Swansea Waterside Museum with the enthusiastic assistance of Curator Ian Smith (shown on the right). Now the Mouse deserves an electric transplant with improved batteries capable of much greater distances between charges. Perhaps pick up another world record along the way!



COMBIDRIVE BRAKES WIND IN CANARY WHARF


An overspeed brake was required to prevent the rotating part of the sculpture being driven by wind at more than

around 30rpm for safety reasons.


Combidrive produced a control which comprised a Suco centrifugal brake driven by a speed increasing two stage helical

gear head. The gear head was required to increase the brake speed from 30rpm to several hundred rpm in order for the

brake to function effectively.


With kind permission of Helena Doyle, Tom Cherry Engineering, Simon Carroll - Temple Set Design and Sean Pollock

Photography, Summer Lights 2021, Canary Wharf Artists + Events.






COMBIDRIVE CELEBRATES 45 YEARS IN BUSINESS!

 

2020 has been a challenging year in business and for many of us personally too but it has also
given us a reason to stop for a moment to reflect and celebrate the past 45 years in business!

 Here's to many more!


 

CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCHES/BRAKES- PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION



 




ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED CENTRIFUGAL BRAKE

GENERAL OPERATION


The electrically controlled centrifugal brake provides braking speeds below the normal operating speed of an electric motor drive system.

DESIGN & FUNCTION

The electrically controlled centrifugal brake is connected to the motor shaft (2). Under normal operating conditions, power is supplied to the spring loaded electrical brake (7). The electric brake disc (6) is connected to the centrifugal brake drum (5). Both are free to rotate together with the flyweights (3) and the hub (1) without providing a braking torque, whilst current is applied.
Without electrical current, the brake disc (6) and the centrifugal brake drum (5) is locked, by spring pressure.
When the engagement speed of the centrifugal brake is reached, the springs (4) allow the flyweights (3) to engage with the drum. This causes a soft braking action at speeds below the normal operating speed.
By changing the springs (4), the centrifugal brake engagement speed can be adjusted.
As soon as electrical power is reapplied to the motor and the electric brake, the drive system returns to normal operating conditions.

APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Reducing the descent speed of the elevator system or hoist during a power cut to 50%-60% of the normal operating speed.
Switching off the centrifugal brake to test the ultimate stop brake in the elevator system.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with your enquiry.

 




FREEWHEELS FROM STIEBER:


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Freewheels are directional couplings, which mean that the drive member rotates the driven member in one direction, while automatically disengaging itself from the driven member when the direction of rotation is reversed.


Below are the 3 main types with a brief description of their employment:


Overrunning clutch: The Freewheel disengages automatically when the driven member rotates faster than the driving member.


Indexing clutch: The Freewheel allows the conversion of reciprocating motion into one directional movement.


Backstop: The Freewheel allows rotation in one direction only. It overruns continuously during operation. The Freewheel prevents reverse rotation if the drive is disconnected.


Please contact us with your Stieber Freewheel enquiries.



We supplyone way bearings from Stieber, GMN, Ringspan and more.


Freewheels, Sprags, Whatever you say; Bearings, Clutches they all go one way.


Indexing, Backstopping, Overrunning too.


Anti-running back - whatever they do.


Combidrive's experience will come to your aid;


With us on hand you've got it made.


Price and delivery without a fuss - This is the time to stick with us.


40 Years on the scene, it's what we know!

 




MECHANICAL VARIATOR


External link opens in new tab or windowStrictly Variable  'Slow-slow-quick, quick-slow'

 



   

AUTOMATIC CENTRIFUGAL OVERSPEED BRAKE STOPS 'HAMSTERS' BEHAVING BADLY


The giant Hamster wheel pictured was designed for visitor participation.

However, unlike those little exercise machines for small furry animals, this wheel is connected to a bucket conveyor. Part of the chain is routed to allow buckets to be water filled, raised and then emptied, so providing a machine work load for energetic visitors.

Unfortunately, in some cases, over enthusiasm by individuals intent on driving the machine too fast, resulted in damage to the buckets and associated conveyor components. Also, it was felt that by exceeding a given wheel speed, significant injury might result following a person falling within the wheel.

Combidrive supplied an automatic centrifugal over speed brake to take care of this without the need of external and/or electrical power. Working back from a maximum wheel speed of 10 rpm (i.e. 6 seconds per revolution) Combidrive supplied a two stage speed increaser, gearbox and coupled it to a Suco centrifugal brake.

Now it's a change from going to the gym!

 


SUCO

 




Centrifugal clutch designed to deal with torsional vibration: 8th November, 2018


Most of us will know when we are alongside a diesel truck when everything is rattling as we wait for the lights to change.

Very high cylinder pressure with each power stroke from every piston can produce torque "spikes" as high as 7 times the nominal torque from the engine.

Such 'roughness' from the diesel engine compared to a petrol engine where torsional vibrations are of a much lower level, must be absorbed by the subsequent transmission components.

The Suco P type clutch embodies rubber bushes in the 3 asymmetric shoes, this design enables the clutch to absorb such torsional vibration to give quiet running and long service life.

 

External link opens in new tab or windowSuco Bockwoldt ZAE UK RGM Ruhrgetriebe Freewheels Combidrive Berges

FLEXIBLE CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH: 4th June, 2018


Combidrive combine centrifugal clutches from Suco with flexible couplings from Centaflex. This example enables two coaxial shafts to be connected via a torsionally soft flexible coupling. The centrifugal clutch allows engine start without load. Increasing the engine speed allows the centrifugal clutch to automatically engage and drive the machine.

 



 

Suco Bockwoldt ZAE UK RGM Ruhrgetriebe Freewheels Combidrive Berges

STIEBER FREEWHEELS FROM COMBIDRIVE: 10th January, 2018


ONE WAY CLUTCHES AND FREEWHEELS FROM COMBIDRIVE.

Combidrive Ltd. was formed in 1975. We have extensive experience and knowledge in the application of Freewheels and One Way Clutches from Stieber.

"Freewheels are directional couplings, which means that the driving member rotates the driven member in one direction, while automatically disengaging itself from the driven member when the direction of rotation is reversed."

Freewheels from Steiber may be employed as: Overrunning clutches, Indexing Clutches or Backstops.Please contact us at sales@combidrive.com with your enquiry.

 

External link opens in new tab or windowSuco Bockwoldt ZAE UK RGM Ruhrgetriebe Freewheels Combidrive Berges

SUCO ELECTROMAGNETIC CLUTCHES AND BRAKES FROM COMBIDRIVE: 4th January, 2018

Electromagnetic clutches and brakes from Suco are, among other things, notable for straightforward design and ease of installation.

If the Suco clutches and brakes are correctly selected, they are trouble free, extremely reliable and require no maintenance. They are dry running clutches and in order for them to operate correctly, grease and oil must be kept away from their friction surfaces.

Among many other applications, Suco Electromagnetic clutches and brakes are used in construction machines, agricultural machinery, machine tools, pumps and compressors, belt conveyors and cleaning machines.

Due to their simple, modular design, electromagnetic clutches and brakes from Suco are easy to select. Please contact us at Combidrive with your enquiry.


 

SUCO CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCHES AND BRAKES FROM COMBIDRIVE: 2nd January, 2018


There are four basic centrifugal clutch and brake design options available from Suco.

The "F" type (self increasing clutch).


This compact and self increasing clutch allows the transmission of high torques whilst needing little space. The profiled hub has a special form which causes a wedging effect between the profile and the flyweights when torque is applied to the clutch. This results in an additional force on the linings and allows higher torque to be transmitted. The tension springs and linings are easily accessible for replacement.

The "S" type (Pin-guided clutch with 3 flyweights)

In contrast to the F-type clutches, the linings of pin-guided clutches are permanently bonded to the flyweights instead of being mounted on loose carriers. The guide pins of W-type clutches provide accurate guidance for the flyweights, which ensures quiet operation of the clutch.

The "W" type (pin-guided clutch with two flyweights)

The "W" type combines the advantages of the F-Type and S-Type centrifugal clutches and Brakes. The tension springs and linings are easily accessible for replacement if worn. As with the "S" type the guide pins provide accurate guidance for the flyweights, which ensures quiet operation of the clutch.

The "P" type (asymmetric pivot clutch)

This design is extremely narrow and the quietest running centrifugal clutch in the Suco range.

Click to edit text. What do visitors to your website need to know about you and your business?


 



Suco Bockwoldt ZAE UK RGM Ruhrgetriebe Freewheels Combidrive Berges

WORM GEARED MOTORS FROM RUHRGETRIEBE : 7th December, 2017


Existing customers using Ruhrgetriebe worm geared motors will be aware of the consistant high quality and so reliability of these motor gear units.

We at Combidrive, representing Ruhrgetriebe in the Uk, have pleasure in presenting the current scope and variation of these worm geared motors.

 





Suco Bockwoldt ZAE UK RGM Ruhrgetriebe Freewheels Combidrive Berges

 Suco Centrifugal Clutch application:


Photograph shows a Suco 2 shoe Centrifugal Clutch prepared to fit a 20Hp engine. The clutch allows the engine to be started without load and as the speed is increased the drive is smoothly imparted to the wood sawing machine via a 3xSPA pulley secured to the clutch by means of star toleranze ring which eliminates the need for keyways in the respective parts. This solution enables quick delivery of all components.

 



Suco Bockwoldt ZAE UK RGM Ruhrgetriebe Freewheels Combidrive Berges

SUCO SMART STOP SAFETY BRAKE FOR SMALL WIND TURBINES:


The SUCO SMART STOP consists of 2 components, a centrifugal brake and a disc brake. Due to its small design the Suco Smart Stop can be adapted to fit in all different kinds of small windmills up to 10kw. These mainly domestic applications require a simple and affordable control to protect against overspeeding. As the centrifugal brake housing temperature increases the disc brake is applied, bringing the Smart Stop rotor to a complete standstill. After a while the disc brake is released automatically and the windmill starts again. In addition to the automatic operation the unit is relatively maintenance free. Please contact us for further information.