Scana Soft clutch-system

Scana Volda as
Hamneg. 24, P.O.box 205, N-6101 Volda, Norway Description
Tel: +47 70 05 90 00. Fax: +47 70 05 90 01.
Emergency Service (after office hrs.): +47 478 24 365
www.scana.no, e-mail: volda@scana.no

This gearbox has been fitted with the unique Scana Volda soft clutch system to reduce the
large torque peaks which may occur in connection with clutch engagements in today's
complex propulsion systems.

The system is extremely flexible and allows for simple adjustments of the slipping time for
the clutch.

The system consists of the following main components with a functional description in the
below sketch and spec.:

Item.no. Description
Function
1 Flushing valve Opens/closes for extra cooling oil supply to the
clutch.
2 Nozzle Regulates normal cooling oil supply to the clutch.
3 Oil inlet A double rotary oil inlet for cooling oil and clutch oil.
(The pinion bearings may also be used for oil inlet.)
4 Clutch valve Bistable solenoid valve for opening for the clutch
pressure and for draining the clutch (disengaged).
5 Low-pressure valve Selector valve for low pressure during the
engagement phase and high pressure after the
slipping period. Solenoid for low pressure, spring-
loaded for high pressure.
6 Reduction valve Reduces full pressure to an adjustable low
pressure in order to regulate the slipping time.

1387/1E
 Scana Soft clutch-system
Scana Volda as
Hamneg. 24, P.O.box 205, N-6101 Volda, Norway Description
Tel: +47 70 05 90 00. Fax: +47 70 05 90 01.
Emergency Service (after office hrs.): +47 478 24 365
www.scana.no, e-mail: volda@scana.no

Item no. Description Function

7 PLC Control unit which operates solenoid valves and
alarm functions. Here the flushing time and max.
slipping time can be adjusted.
8 Pressure switch Gives signal to the PLC that the free-stroke of the
clutch is completed and low pressure has been
achieved.
9 Pressure gauge Shows low-pressure level.
10 Pressure switch Indicates clutch in/out

The above diagram shows a typical flushing pressure and the engagement
pressure process in a time/pressure diagram.

Pressure and time for low-pressure periods and cooling oil are adjustable and are
adapted to each system on the basis of the features of the propulsion system.

Explanation of an engagement process: (the times and pressures stated are guideline
values.)

- By pressing the clutch-in-button, valve (1) opens for full cooling oil supply to the clutch.
The valve is now open for flushing for 60 sec.

- After 5 sec. valve (5) opens for low pressure and valve (4) goes into the clutch-in
position.

- The clutch cylinder is filled and the piston runs free in order to bring the plate assembly
of the clutch into mesh.

- The plate assembly is brought into mesh and the clutch gradually starts to transfer the
driving torque.

1387/2E
 Scana Soft clutch-system
Scana Volda as
Hamneg. 24, P.O.box 205, N-6101 Volda, Norway Description
Tel: +47 70 05 90 00. Fax: +47 70 05 90 01.
Emergency Service (after office hrs.): +47 478 24 365
www.scana.no, e-mail: volda@scana.no

-When the pressure reaches over 5 bar, the pressure switch (8) signals back to the PLC
to count the time units for how long the low pressure is to apply. (normally 5 sec.)

- After 5 sec. the power supply to valve (5) is cut and the valve switches into full-pressure
position. Valve (4) remains in the engaged position.

- The pressure switch (10) signals that full pressure has been achieved and the clutch
can be loaded with full torque.

- When 60 sec. have passed from the commencement of the process, the power supply
to valve (1) is cut and the valve closes for no flushing. The clutch subsequently receives a
normal supply of cooling oil via the nozzle.

- When the clutch-out button is pressed, the PLC gives a current pulse to valve (4) and
switches it into the clutch-out position which thus drains the clutch directly to the gear
sump.

Safety functions: The system has the following monitoring functions.

1) If full pressure is achieved unusually quickly, the PLC gives off a soft clutch error
alarm signal.
2) If it takes unusually long to achieve full pressure, the PLC disengages automatically
and no clutch-in indication signal is achieved.

Emergency engagement: If the remote control or soft clutch system does not function, the
clutch can be manually engaged using the emergency buttons directly on the valves. For
such engagement it is IMPORTANT to follow the below procedure.

1) Press in the emergency button at the end of the coil of valve (5) and hold it in.
2) Press in the emergency button at the end of the coil for clutch in on valve (4).
3) When the engagement process is completed and the propeller shaft has finished
accelerating, the emergency button on valve (5) can be released.
4) Check that the clutch has achieved full pressure. This is indicated by a light in the
operating buttons for clutch in.

As otherwise for such systems it is important that both the low pressure and full pressure
are checked at regular intervals so that they are in accordance with the pressure values
specified for the system in question. All values apply for a system at normal operating
temperature. For cold systems the pressures may be approx. 1-2 bar higher than
specified.

For service purposes see separate drawings and part-lists enclosed in the manual.

Specific data for this system:

Low pressure ......................... : ________ bar
Full pressure .......................... : ________ bar
Time for low-pressure period . : ________ sec.

1387/3E