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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

apparatus, multiple-layer floating opposing arm, FOA, centrifugal force clutch

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Centrifugal force clutches are used around the globe in devices from washing machines to garden tillers. Considering methods of reducing the cost of such clutches, the Utah Center of Excellence for Compliant Mechanism Research developed a fully compliant version, known as the Floating- Opposing Arm Centrifugal Force (FOA) Clutch. Unfortunately, the thickness required for the FOA clutch to perform competitively with comparable clutches makes manufacturing solid FOA clutches slow and costly. To overcome this difficulty, the clutch may be produced as stackable thin layers that sum to the desired performance characteristics. A testing apparatus is required to quantify the performance of the resulting multiple-layer FOA (MFOA) clutch.

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