KEVOS® MAKEOS · Power Transmission
Cone Clutch Engagement Check (Torque, Engaging Force, Slip Time, Heat)
Will this cone clutch carry the torque, what force engages it, how long does it slip to bring the load up to speed, and how hot does it get each engagement?
Check of a cone clutch starting a load: torque capacity from the axial holding force, friction and cone geometry and the force to engage it (as the cone clutch tool), the slip time to accelerate the load inertia against its load torque at the clutch torque (as the torque to accelerate a rotating load tool), the heat generated by slip in each engagement, the temperature rise of the cone, and the engagements per hour the cone can shed, against the required torque and your temperature limit.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Large diameter of cone face | mm | Largest diameter of the friction cone. |
| Small diameter of cone face | mm | Smallest diameter of the friction cone. |
| Cone half-angle | ° | Half-angle of the cone. |
| Coefficient of friction | Friction coefficient of the lining. | |
| Axial holding force | N | Axial force holding the clutch engaged (spring force). |
| Required torque (with service factor) | N·m | Torque the clutch must carry once engaged, with service factor. |
| Load | ||
| Load inertia at the clutch | kg·m² | Moment of inertia of the driven load referred to the clutch shaft. |
| Driving speed | rpm | Speed of the driving side. |
| Load torque during start | N·m | Resisting torque of the load while it accelerates. |
| Heat | ||
| Mass of the cone that absorbs heat | kg | Mass of the cone or drum that soaks up the slip heat. |
| Specific heat of the cone | kJ/kg·K | Specific heat of that part. |
| Largest temperature rise per engagement | K | Largest temperature rise per engagement you accept. |
Method and formulas
- Torque capacity T = μ F (D_o + D_i) ÷ 4 ÷ sin α; engaging force = F (sin α + μ cos α) ÷ sin α (as the cone clutch tool).
- Slip time t = J ω ÷ (T − T_load) (as the torque to accelerate a rotating load tool, solved for time).
- Slip energy = T ω t ÷ 2 (the clutch slips at a falling relative speed); temperature rise = energy ÷ (m c).
- Example: the clutch carries 162.33 N·m with 3,264.2 N to engage; it slips 0.42803 s and heats 1.9772 K each start.
Limitations
- Constant friction coefficient and uniform wear; new linings bed in.
- All slip heat into the cone; repeated starts accumulate heat.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Check a cone clutch for a heavier load
- Estimate clutch heating per start
- Size the spring or actuator that engages a clutch
Who it is for
- Design engineers
- Machine designers
- Maintenance engineers
What you get
- Torque capacity and engaging force
- Slip time and slip energy
- Temperature rise per engagement
Interpreting the result
- Heat per start equals the load’s kinetic energy plus the work against load torque: high-inertia loads need large cones.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 2446–2449, 176–181. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
WORKOS tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.
Open the Cone Clutch Engagement Check (Torque, Engaging Force, Slip Time, Heat) calculator
