Visit the ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties Europe web site

Widest range of one-way cam clutches available?

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 23, 2001

The recent introduction of BB-K and BSEU series units means that Tsubaki now offers one of the widest ranges of one-way cam clutches available for industrial backstopping and overrunning applications

The recent introduction of BB-K and BSEU series units means that Tsubaki now offers one of the widest ranges of one-way cam clutches available for industrial backstopping and overrunning applications, meeting torque requirements right up the scale to 686,000Nm.

The new additions widen the range of applications for the clutches by providing units with keyways (BB-K) and units that provide added wear life and reliability through reduced heating during motor idling times.

The addition of the BB-K and BSEU brings the number of clutch types in the Tsubaki ex-stock range up to eight, this is in addition to a huge range of 'specials' and application specific designs produced for volume OEM's.

Stock items include the TSS and TFS series which are designed for light duty "build-in" applications requiring torque capacities from 18Nm to 1,975Nm; the extremely flexible MZEU series with its "building block" design and higher torque range (up to 33,800Nm); the BS and BS-R series (294Nm - 686,000Nm), both of which are designed for use in backstopping applications on large sized conveyors and bucket elevators, and the BR (P) series (382Nm - 62,034Nm) which are mainly used as backstops in high speed, medium duty over-running applications.

The new BB-K and BSEU series, in common with the other clutches in Tsubaki's range, are precision devices which positively lock to transmit torque in one direction of rotation, but overrun (freewheel) in the opposite direction.

Intended for general purpose applications, they are compact units with a construction which offers high torque transmission and longer operational life.

The design of the BB-K and BSEU ranges features a full complement of cams, providing the maximum number of load transmitting members per given diameter.

This results in greater torque capacity, size for size, compared to other types of one way clutches, such as ratchet and roller ramp types.

The BB-K cam clutches are an extension to Tsubaki's existing BB range.

In common with other units in this range they are designed to provide a convenient press fit in #62 type ball bearing housings.

The BB-K's ability for this type of mounting has been further enhanced with the introduction of a keyway facility.

This simplifies installation by ensuring positive location and fixing of the clutches onto shafts.

The BSEU Series clutches are designed to prevent the reverse rotation of drive shafts, which may cause damage to machinery and to other expensive equipment.

With the outer race of the clutch anchored stationary, the inner race can overrun freely in one direction.

Reverse rotation, however, is prevented.

Compared to other one-way clutches (ratchet or roller ramp types), overheating during motor idling times with the BSEU series is significantly lower.

This factor helps to maintain excellent lubrication qualities, thereby improving the wear life of the clutch.

For added convenience the BSEU clutches are packed with a low temperature grease before shipment and are ready for immediate installation and operation.

In addition, because they are pre-lubricated they require no lubrication maintenance.

The BSEU Series units are intended for use on small inclined conveyors and various types of elevators.

To aid installation onto shafts all of the units are provided with keyways.

The range is comprehensive and includes 15 units with bore sizes from 20 to 90mm and torque capacities from 1,400Nm to 4,700Nm.

Above 90mm bore Tsubaki offers the BS range.

This caters for bore requirements up to 450mm and torque requirements to a maximum of 686,000Nm.

Although primarily intended for back-stopping applications, the BSEU clutches may also be used for low frequency indexing applications.

A maximum indexing frequency of no more than 50cycles/min and a safety ratio of 2.5 times higher than the working torque are the requirements for this type of operation.