freewheel
Sign in to savethumb|Freewheel mechanism thumb|right|Ratchet (device)|Ratcheting freewheel mechanism (van Anden, 1869)
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Mechanics
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Uses
- Agricultural equipment
- Engine starters
- Vehicle transmissions
- Bicycles
- Helicopters
- History
- See also
- References
thumb|Freewheel mechanism thumb|right|Ratchet (device)|Ratcheting freewheel mechanism (van Anden, 1869)
A freewheel or overrunning clutch is a device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft. An overdrive is sometimes mistakenly called a freewheel, but is otherwise unrelated.