Eaton has expanded its 430-millimeter diaphragm spring clutch portfolio for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, supporting downsized and downspeeding engines.

They come in a variety of actuation styles and damper sizes.

The newer engines produce peak torque at lower RPMs, which can also increase torsional vibration, Eaton explains. Its 285-millimeter diameter damper clutches are designed to reduce those vibrations and feature the first application of Eaton’s Soft Stop technology in a heavy-duty application.

Soft stops reduce the stress on the damper springs during potential over-torque events.

Heavy-duty diesel engines traditionally use a 232-millimeter or 254-millimeter diameter damper, which keep engine vibrations from traveling through the clutch, into the transmission, down the driveshaft, and into the axles.

A new push self-adjust Extreme Duty model clutch is also available in 254-millimeter and 285-millimeter damper sizes with 1,950 ft-lb. torque ratings. Alloy components feature a higher thermal capacity and an optimized pressure plate mass in the name of durability and low-speed maneuverability, Eaton says.

The main damper springs have been upgraded for improved noise, vibration and harshness characteristics.

Extreme Duty clutches use a new organic facing, more robust pilot bearing, and are designed for more frequent starts and stops found in on/off-highway applications. And they provide 63% more actuations over standard-temperature versions, minimizing the number of “clutch abuse” warnings before intervention, which allows for 50 percent more launches, Eaton adds.

Standard-duty models previously available in a 232-millimeter damper and 1,585 ft-lb torque rating also are now available in a 254-millimeter damper with a 1,950 ft-lb rating and a 285-millimeter damper with a 2,050 ft-lb rating.