Torque Transmitted Via Frictional Engagement Of Planar Radially Extending Surfaces Patents (Class 464/45)
  • Patent number: 11759925
    Abstract: A hand tool for driving a fastener is provided. The hand tool includes gearing that interconnects a splined socket to a rotatable or trigger actuator and increases a rotational speed of the splined socket relative to the actuator. The hand tool may include a power tool receiver or an independent motor to drive rotation of the splined socket to advance or retract a fastener from a threaded shaft. By increasing the speed and conserving rotational inertia, the hand tool reduces the time to secure a fastener on a threaded shaft. A rotatable nut is provided. The rotatable nut can slideably orient along a first axis and threadedly orient along a second axis to fasten to an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Max R. Sawa, Christopher S. Hoppe, Aaron S. Blumenthal, Caroline Hope, James Wekwert, Bryan C. Ward
  • Patent number: 10975772
    Abstract: A starter for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor shaft rotatable about an axis and includes an inner bore extending from an axial end of the rotor shaft with respect to the axis. A sun gear is on the rotor shaft. A lock nut is received against an axial end face of the sun gear and threadedly engaged with an outer diameter of the rotor shaft. A retainer is positioned to bias the nut against the axial end face and includes a projection portion threadedly engaged with the rotor shaft in the inner bore. A bolt through the projection portion is threadedly engaged with the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Yiwei Jiang, James Vandung Nguyen, Edward W. Goy
  • Patent number: 10669895
    Abstract: A shroud dampening pin is disclosed including a shaft, a dampening portion at a first end of the shaft, and a cap at a second end of the shaft. The dampening portion includes a bevel having a bevel angle and a contact surface. A turbine shroud assembly is disclosed, including an inner shroud, an outer shroud, the shroud dampening pin, and a biasing apparatus. The outer shroud includes a channel extending from an aperture adjacent to the inner shroud at a channel angle from the aperture. The shroud dampening pin is disposed within the channel. The dampening portion extends through the aperture with the contact surface contacting the inner shroud. The biasing apparatus contacts the cap and provides a biasing force to the inner shroud through the contact surface. The bevel angle is about the same as the channel angle, and the contact surface is about parallel to the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Glenn Curtis Taxacher, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, III, Randall Gill
  • Patent number: 10056180
    Abstract: A seal structure for an electromagnet lead wire includes an annular yoke including an annular groove, a wiring hole configured to pass a lead wire of an exciting coil, an insulating resin configured to seal the exciting coil, and a seal member arranged in the hole. The wiring hole includes a though hole of a case, and a concave portion of the yoke. The insulating resin includes a projecting portion whose distal end face is located in the concave portion. The seal member includes a columnar portion inserted into the though hole, and a flange portion located in the concave portion. The flange portion is sandwiched and compressed between the device inner surface of the case and the distal end face of the insulating resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: OGURA CLUTCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kurosu, Takashi Yamaguchi, Haruhiko Ushirode
  • Patent number: 9744659
    Abstract: An enhanced material-processing device and method are disclosed, having a processing tool of substantially circular circumference, which is operative with a power tool having a rotating spindle and jaws, which clamp the processing tool. The enhanced material-processing device has a central opening that is entered concentrically in the processing tool for receiving a clutch mechanism, and a hub structure. The hub structure is associated with the clutch mechanism to form a slip clutch that is integrally mounted in the enhanced material-processing device and is operative by application of an axial compression friction fit on the processing tool, which slips relative to the rotating spindle when a threshold torque limit is reached. The clutch mechanism is preloaded in axial compression through a predetermined elastic strain distance to provide a friction fit having a torque limit threshold, which torque limit of the slip clutch is controllably pre-adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Shmuel Reznik
  • Publication number: 20140221106
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a first rotation member connected to a first rotation shaft, a second rotation member connected to a second rotation shaft, a third rotation member provided between the first rotation member and the second rotation member, a damper portion provided between the first rotation member and the third rotation member to absorb a torque fluctuation between the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft, a torque limiter portion arranged between the second rotation member and the third rotation member to transmit a torque equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the torque limiter portion restricting a torque transmitted between the second rotation member and the third rotation member from exceeding the predetermined value in a case where a torque greater than the predetermined value is input to the torque limiter portion, and a dynamic vibration absorber provided at the third rotation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Suguru JIMBO, Yoshitaka Inoshita, Makoto Tone
  • Publication number: 20140221105
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a first rotation member connected to a first rotation shaft, a second rotation member connected to a second rotation shaft, a third rotation member provided between the first rotation member and the second rotation member, a damper portion provided between the first rotation member and the third rotation member to absorb a torque fluctuation between the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft, a torque limiter portion arranged between the second rotation member and the third rotation member to transmit a torque equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the torque limiter portion restricting a torque transmitted between the second rotation member and the third rotation member from exceeding the predetermined value in a case where a torque greater than the predetermined value is input to the torque limiter portion, and a dynamic vibration absorber provided at the second rotation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Suguru JIMBO, Yoshitaka INOSHITA, Makoto TONE
  • Publication number: 20140011598
    Abstract: An overload protection transmission device includes a transmission shaft having a mounting element provided at an end thereof, a disc-shaped fixing part rotatably fixed to the transmission shaft via the mounting element, an annular transmission gear, and a locking disc rotatably fixed to the transmission shaft and configured to rotatably couple the transmission shaft with the transmission gear. The transmission gear has an accommodating part and a friction part provided along an inner circumferential surface thereof. The accommodating part is configured to engage the fixing part when the fixing part is inserted into a central opening of the annular transmission gear. The locking disc includes an outer circumferential surface configured to engage the friction part of the transmission gear for transmitting a frictional torque between the locking disc and the transmission gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Yihua Wang, Xiaojun Zhou
  • Patent number: 8485334
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism with overload protection provided between a power input shaft and a power output shaft of an actuator includes a magnet set including at least a first magnet and a second magnet that are arranged as magnetically attractive to each other and are attached to the power input shaft and the power output shaft, respectively; and a friction assembly including a first friction member and a second friction member arranged adjacent to each other and between the first magnet and the second magnet, so as to provide a constant friction between the magnets. The magnet set and the friction assembly jointly set a limit of a torque between the power input shaft and the power output shaft. When the torque exceeds the limit, the power input shaft and the power output shaft are disconnected, so as to achieve overload protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-An Chiang, Ching-Fang Hu
  • Publication number: 20130116054
    Abstract: A vibration damping device capable of reducing a change in an order frequency of a reciprocating motion of a pendulum resulting from eccentricity of rotational members therein. The vibration damping comprises a pendulum damping mechanism having a mass to dampen the torsional vibrations by an oscillating motion thereof resulting from the torsional vibrations. An inertial body is arranged in the prime mover side of the rotary shaft, an elastic damping mechanism is connected with a transmission side of the inertial body in a power transmittable manner, a pendulum damping mechanism is connected with the transmission side of the elastic damping mechanism in a power transmittable manner, and a torque limiter mechanism is connected with the transmission side of the pendulum damping mechanism in a power transmittable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Amano, Yu Miyahara, Shinichiro Suenaga, Shingo Aijima
  • Publication number: 20130029771
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member being rotatable, a second plate member positioned to be axially separated from the first plate member, the second plate member being rotatable relative to the first plate member, a first friction member arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and slidably pressed against the first plate member and the second plate member, and a first guide portion restricting the first friction member from moving radially inwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Yusaku Nishio, Hiroaki Suezaki, Hiroshi Kawazoe, Tsutomu Sekine
  • Patent number: 8308575
    Abstract: A gear mechanism with torque limiter includes a felt member 14 that is held between a first gear 13 and a second gear 15 coaxially arranged first gear 13 and second gear 15, for transmitting drive power between the gears, such that coupling of drive power between the gears is restricted by slippage of the felt member 14 when an excessive load is applied thereto, wherein multiple protrusions 19a are provided concentrically on the surface of one of the gears 13 (15) in contact with the felt member 14, and concentric grooves 20a corresponding to the protrusions are provided on the surface of the other gear (13) 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuro Nagami
  • Publication number: 20120115619
    Abstract: In this damper mechanism, when small fluctuations in torque input to the damper mechanism occur, small hysteresis torque is produced as a result of pressure contact between a radial plate and a first friction section. Consequently, the small torque fluctuations can be damped between the radial plate and the first friction region of the damper mechanism and can be output to an input shaft. In addition, along the direction of relative rotation of an annular plate and the radial plate, the friction coefficients of the annular plate and the radial plate become larger as the torsion angles of both plates become larger. Therefore, even when torque fluctuations become large, the hysteresis torque can be produced in accordance with the magnitude of the torque fluctuations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsushi Takenaka, Yuichi Miwa, Taku Harada, Yoshimitsu Yokouchi, Takeshi Miyagawa, Koji Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20120046114
    Abstract: A simple and low-cost structure is provided for fixing friction members of a torque limiter. The torque limiter includes a flywheel (5), a clutch plate (20), a spline hub (22), a clutch disc assembly (6) and a transmission torque limiting part (7). The flywheel (5) includes a friction coupling surface (14b). The clutch plate (20) includes plural axial through holes (20b). Plural friction members (26) are respectively attached to the through holes (20b). The spline hub (22) can be engaged with a transmission-side shaft (3). The clutch disc assembly (6) circumferentially elastically couples the clutch plate (20) and the spline hub (22). The transmission torque limiting part (7) limits torque to be transmitted from the flywheel (5) to the transmission-side shaft (3) while the friction members (26) are interposed and held between the transmission torque limiting part (7) and the friction coupling surface (14b) of the flywheel (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Doman, Takashi Harada, Yoshinari Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7837563
    Abstract: In a power transmission device 41, a tapered inner circumferential surface 79 increasing its diameter toward a rotating shaft body 47 is formed in a hub 75, and a tapered outer circumferential surface 83 increasing its diameter toward the rotating shaft body 47 is formed in a tubular member 81 and press-fitted to the tapered inner circumferential surface of the hub 75 so that, when an excessive load is applied between a rotating body 45 and a pulley 69, the hub 75 rotates with respect to the rotating shaft 45 and the tubular member 81 is withdrawn from the tapered inner circumferential surface 77 of the hub 75 and power transmission between the rotating shaft 45 and the pulley 69 is interrupted. Therefore, variation of working torque can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Motohiko Ueda, Hiroki Ishii
  • Patent number: 7801657
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having first and second wheels is provided that includes a differential apparatus adapted to distribute torque between the first and second wheels and a traction controller for controlling operation of the differential apparatus from vehicle launch up to a predetermined vehicle speed. The traction controller is configured to engage the differential apparatus in a first operating state according to at least one vehicle operating parameter indicative of a low traction operating condition and to further control engagement of the differential apparatus in a second vehicle operating state during the low traction operating condition according to a difference between an actual vehicle yaw rate and a predetermined target vehicle yaw rate. The control system also includes a stability controller for controlling engagement of the differential apparatus at or above the predetermined vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Jae Y. Lew, John A. Grogg, Robert J. Kyle
  • Publication number: 20100120543
    Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS RENCOL LIMITED
    Inventors: Antony Snadden, Marcus Baker
  • Patent number: 7614459
    Abstract: A method of activating a drive system with a portable power source includes performing at least two actions between the power source and the drive system to effect activation. Performing any one of the two actions without the other of the two actions will not activate the drive system. The power source is preferably a hand-held power drill or a power pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: JLG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey George Campbell, Alexander McKechran Hardie McNeil
  • Publication number: 20090233721
    Abstract: Method for connecting a low speed main shaft of a wind turbine to an input shaft of a transmission gearbox of the wind turbine, characterized in that the method consists of providing a connection surface on the main shaft and a corresponding connection surface on the input shaft; placing a friction enhancing means on at least one of said connection surfaces; and firmly connecting both connection surfaces to one another whereby a permanent load on the connection surfaces is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: Hansen Transmissions International, naamloze vennootschap, Gamesa Innovacion & Technology, S.L.
    Inventors: Patrik SAENZ DE UGARTE, Javier BARANANO ETXEBARRIA, Wim De LAET
  • Patent number: 7506402
    Abstract: A disengageable arrangement for connecting a windscreen-wiper arm to a drive shaft driven in rotation about its longitudinal axis has a device solidly attached to the arm and providing the connection of the arm, and the drive shaft in the normal operating position of the windscreen wiper. The device is deformable under an effect of a torque applied to the arm greater than that exerted by said drive shaft, and is capable of being placed back in the normal operating position by locked relative positioning of the arm and the drive shaft. There is a single locked relative position of the arm and the drive shaft. The deformable device has at least two stacked elastic blades. The ends of each stacked elastic blade solidly are attached to the arm. Each of the at least two stacked elastic blades has a locking part inserted in a stopping part solidly attached to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Romain Laurens, Karim Brazi
  • Patent number: 7464526
    Abstract: A drive assembly driven by a drive unit locks one or several operating units (6) of an agricultural implement (1) or of a self-propelled implement. The operating unit (6) can be locked when switching off the drive unit or upon reaction of an overload coupling (4). The drive assembly (3) has an overload coupling (4) connected to the drive unit and driven by the drive unit in one driving direction of rotation. The overload coupling (4) is also connected to the operating unit (6). The drive assembly (3) further has a brake unit (5) connected to the overload coupling (4). The brake unit (5) is intended to be arranged in the driveline between the overload coupling (4) and the operating unit (6). Actuating mechanism (10) actuates the brake unit (5) when the operating unit is running so that the operating unit is braked and locked. Thereafter, the overload coupling is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Walterscheid GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Coenen
  • Publication number: 20080194340
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus, a driving rotary body is rotated by power from a driving device. A driven rotary body includes a driven rotary member attached to a rotating shaft of a driven device and a holding plate attached to the driven rotary member. A damper mechanism includes a cylindrical elastic member attached to the driving rotary body and a connecting member which is engaged in the elastic member to be movable forward/backward. At least one rotation transmission member is attached to the connecting member, has one end connected to the driving rotary body through the damper mechanism and the other end separably connected to the driven rotary body, and transmits rotation of the driving rotary body to the driven rotary body. A preset load setting member is mounted between the driven rotary body and the connecting member to elastically deform the rotation transmission member, thus applying a preset load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Kurosu
  • Publication number: 20080090664
    Abstract: A slip clutch acts between a shaft and a housing. The slip clutch includes an oil reservoir within the housing and one or more slipping surfaces disposed in the oil reservoir that are keyed to the shaft and possibly alternately to the housing. The slipping surfaces may include stacked plates or washers. Each of the washers includes an oil groove or other structure on one surface thereof that maintains a consistent film of oil on the washer surfaces. The stacked washers slip relative to one another such that the shaft rotates relative to the housing upon an application of torque that exceeds a predetermined torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: JLG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey George Campbell, Hugh Lithgow Stark
  • Patent number: 7331873
    Abstract: In order to prevent damage to a drive component, fail safe devices are often used to break a rotational coupling between an apparatus, such as a pump, and the drive component, such as a crank shaft of an engine, in the event of the apparatus seizing. In order to break the coupling between a drive component and an apparatus, the rotational coupling includes a coupler that is operable to rotate in a first direction attached to a shaft via a threaded fastener. A predetermined break away torque is set by tightening the threaded fastener in a direction opposite than the first direction with a predetermined tightening torque. A torque transmission interface includes opposing surfaces of the coupler and the shaft that remain fixed relative to one another below a predetermined break away torque and move relative to one another above the predetermined break away torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Ibrahim, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 7322890
    Abstract: A steering coupling reduces the rotational force felt by a driver should the wheels impact an obstacle. The coupling is particularly suited for vehicles comprising simple, single-unit steering assemblies. The coupling permits a certain amount of slippage between the wheels and the steering wheel without a total loss of steering. The driver may set a threshold torque at which slippage occurs, thereby controlling the “feel” of the steering. The coupling includes a friction disc that permits rotational movement between two housings in the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Charles L. Waller
  • Patent number: 7303478
    Abstract: In order to transmit a torque from a hub 5 (rotating body) integrally formed together with a pulley 4 to, for example, a sleeve 6 inserted under pressure into a rotating shaft 1 of a refrigerant compressor 2, end surfaces 5e and 6a, which act as a bearing surface, are brought into frictional contact with each other. An axial pressing force is generated by the engagement of screws 1a and 5d of the rotating shaft 1 and the hub 5. An annular cut-out part 7, etc., is provided to form an annular space 10 in a part of the bearing surface around the rotating shaft 1. Thereby, the equivalent diameter of the bearing surface is increased, a slip is more unlikely to occur on the bearing surface, and it is therefore no longer necessary to apply an excessive pressing force to obtain a large friction torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6497620
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for agricultural implements has a friction coupling (1), an electromagnet (6) and control mechanism (7). The friction coupling (1) includes a friction assembly (4) which is loaded by a pressure plate (14). The pressure plate (14) is loaded by pressure springs (15, 16). The pressure plate (14) is adjustable by an actuating device (5) which includes an electromagnet (6) and an anchor plate (19). The control mechanism (7) includes a control member (27) which, by changing the electric current, regulates the pressure force of the pressure plate (14) during the coupling and/or uncoupling operation. The housing (2) and the hub (3) are associated with speed sensors (25, 26) which transmit a signal to the control mechanism (7) to relieve the load on the friction assembly. Thus, this prevents the friction coupling (1) from overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Walterscheid GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Lohmüller, Andreas Sarfert, Reinhold Walter, Eberhard Wilks
  • Publication number: 20020187839
    Abstract: A twin mass flywheel which has an input flywheel mass (11) arranged to be coupled to an engine, an output flywheel mass (12) arranged to be coupled to a drive-line, a main rolling bearing (14) for mounting the flywheel masses for relative rotation and having inner (14B) and outer (14A) race members with rolling bearing elements therebetween, and a torsional vibration damping means (17) acting between the masses to oppose relative rotation. At least one of the bearing races is located axially relative to one of the flywheel masses by an annular retaining member (25, 29) which is secured to said one flywheel mass and engages a circumferential groove (26, 30) in the bearing race. Other bearing retaining arrangements are disclosed including the use of tapering races.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: ALASTAIR JOHN YOUNG, ROBERT JOHN MURPHY, RICHARD DAVID MAITLAND COOKE
  • Publication number: 20020179393
    Abstract: A torque limiter of the present invention includes: a first rotor and a second rotor, the first and second rotors rotatable about a single center of rotation; a yoke board integrally formed with the first rotor; a magnet which is provided so as to be in contact with the yoke board; and a hysteresis board provided so as to be opposed to the magnet with a space therebetween, the hysteresis board is integrally formed with the second rotor and a washer having depression portions, protrusion portions, holes, or a combination thereof is provided between the first and second rotors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Koichiro Hirabayashi, Akio Konishi, Kazuo Shibukawa
  • Patent number: 6200221
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus, a torque limiter mechanism has a plurality of holding portions, a disc plate and a flange, and an elastic member. The plurality of holding portions are fixed to either one of a pulley and a hub and aligned substantially equidistantly in a circumferential direction. The disc plate and flange are provided to either one of the pulley and the hub and oppose the holding portions. The elastic member is frictionally connected to the holding portions and the disc plate and flange, and is fixed to the remaining one of the pulley and the hub. The elastic member has connecting portions and an elastic support. The connecting portions are frictionally connected to the holding portions and the disc plate and flange, and correspond in number to the holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Enjiro Maejima, Katsunao Busujima, Yoshihiro Kurosu
  • Patent number: 6019696
    Abstract: A limited slip planet gear for a motor vehicle differential assembly which uses a segmented planet gear having a plurality of fixed plates positioned between a corresponding plurality of planet gear segments. The plurality of fixed plates are preferably keyed to a planet gear pin and the plurality of fixed plates and the corresponding plurality of planet gear segments are compressed using a resilient compression member, for example, one or more belleville type springs or one or more leaf springs to provide limited slip capability to the motor vehicle differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Fett
  • Patent number: 5846133
    Abstract: An adjustable torque clutch assembly is provided for use in a motor operator. The clutch assembly includes a cylinder ring disposed between upper and lower clutch plates and houses a pair of friction discs, a drive plate disposed between the friction discs, and a spring for forcing the friction discs together to create a frictional coupling force between the drive plate and the friction discs. The exact amount of frictional force is determined by the distance between the upper and lower plates. A rubber gasket is disposed between the housing and one of the clutch plates for allowing adjustment of the distance between the clutch plates, thereby allowing the frictional force, and hence the overall clutch torque to be adjusted. A plurality of screws are provided to secure the clutch plates together once the distance between them, and hence the frictional force has been adjusted to a desired amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Terry Dean Repstien, Raed Jamal Abu-Hijleh
  • Patent number: 5746089
    Abstract: In a starter including a planetary gear reducer for reducing a rotational output of a motor and transmitting the reduced rotational output to a starting object, the motor includes an armature 3, a motor output shaft 31 and a cylindrical yoke 1. The planetary gear reducer includes a ring gear 8 fitted in and engaged with the yoke at its one end and having an inner peripheral gear portion 11 formed on the inner periphery thereof, a bearing 13 mounted on the side wall of the ring gear at the center thereof, a plurality of planetary gears 4 rotatably interposed between the outer peripheral gear portion 32 of the motor output shaft and the inner peripheral gear portion of the ring gear and a starter output shaft 21 rotatably supported by the ring gear side wall, the starter output shaft being connected at its one end with the planetary gears and adapted to be engageable at its other end with the starting object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 5607023
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impact absorption mechanism and a power tool including an impact absorption mechanism. When a tool bit binds a high energy impulse of short duration is generated that may damage components of the power tool. The impact absorption mechanism absorbs this high energy impulse and prevents damage to other components of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
    Inventor: Bernhard Palm
  • Patent number: 5482128
    Abstract: A lock nut having a tapered portion at one end thereof is screwed halfway through an output shaft that transfers motion to a steering mechanism. A tapered fitting hole formed through an axis of a worm wheel is fitted onto an outer circumference of the tapered portion with a slip plate interposed therebetween. By tightening the lock nut, the worm wheel is pressed and fixed to a support portion formed on a portion of the output shaft, and a worm directly connected to an output side of a steering assisting electric motor is made to engage with a gear formed on the outer circumference of the worm wheel. In normal operation, the torque of the electric motor is transmitted to the worm wheel via the worm, and further on to the output shaft via friction on the slip plate. Upon application of an excessive rotational torque in the event of a motor lock, slippage occurs on the slip plate to allow free rotation of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Takaoka, Masayuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5295908
    Abstract: A fluid friction coupling comprises a coupling hub (1) and a coupling housing (2) rotatably supported on the coupling hub. The coupling also comprises sets of plates (6; 7) non-rotatably mounted on the hub and housing. One set of plates has spacing teeth (8) which, while eliminating the previously used spacer rings, permit accurate spacing of the set of plates. A predetermined number of spacing teeth (8) of the axially immovable plates (7) are bent out of the plane of the respective plate so as to be Z-shaped with both bending angles approximately 90 degrees. This measure ensures that the plates for a friction coupling are designed in such a way that they are accurately spaced at predetermined distances and that they are suitable for automatic assembly purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Schumann, Wolfgang Gimpel
  • Patent number: 5170676
    Abstract: A torque limiter suitable for use in a gear train is provided having at least one gear connected with a first driven member and another gear being connected with a motive source for transmitting torque from the motive source to the first driven member. One of the gears has an inner hub and an outer ring with spring means preventing relative motion between the hub and the ring unless a predetermined torque value is exceeded whereby the hub has angular rotation with respect to the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Matouka, Robert J. Hammersmith
  • Patent number: 5042632
    Abstract: A vibration damping apparatus which is installed in the power train between the engine and the variable-speed transmission of a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of one or more elastic dampers and a slip clutch. The slip clutch is connected in series with the damper or dampers by an axially stressed diaphragm spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Jackel
  • Patent number: 4946016
    Abstract: A control device comprises a clutch having two parts which are respectively coupled with an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft carries a torque limiter having a rotating pulley coupled with a central axle by a friction member. The rotating pulley is connected to the output shaft, and the central axis is connected to the input shaft. In case of disengagemnt of the output shaft, with the input shaft always being in rotation, a limited couple is transmitted to the part of the clutch coupled to the output shaft through the torque limiter in order to cause the part to attain a given position on abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: SAPAL Societe Anonyme des Plieuses Automatiques
    Inventor: Jean Torres
  • Patent number: 4944379
    Abstract: A mechanical device for limiting the maximum torque transferred from a driving shaft to a driven power transmission element including an adapter which rotates fully around a power transmission element; a sleeve firmly affixed to and rotating with the driving shaft; a high friction clutch element pressed between the sleeve and the adapter; and a shear pin connecting the sleeve and the adapter, and providing a compressive force on the clutch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Dynamic Research and Development Corp.
    Inventor: James D. Haaser
  • Patent number: 4937957
    Abstract: A vehicular ditching apparatus in which an oil-cooled mechanism having rotating friction discs and plates, and further having a fluid controlled piston for increasing the friction between the discs and plates, is incorporated into the ditcher, aft of the transmission, as a torsional limiting device to protect the components of the drive chain in the event the cutting wheel of the ditcher is subjected to unexpected increased load, such as when it hits an unseen obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Capitol Trencher Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald E. Umberson
  • Patent number: 4888539
    Abstract: A clutch/damper for isolating and absorbing vibration induced reactive torques from adversely affecting a motor drive system. A friction plate variably engages a gear coupled to the drive motor and to a load mass to permit normal drive in the absence of excessive reactive torque forces and to allow the motor to continue to drive against a slipping load in the presence of excessive reactive torque forces. Feedback is employed in the drive system to compensate for the small errors induced by the slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Estabrook, Terrence J. Furtmann, Svenn A. Norstrom
  • Patent number: 4728053
    Abstract: A drag mechanism for applying a braking force against rotation of a spool with respect to a spool shaft of a spinning fishing reel. The drag mechanism is provided with a first adjuster for setting a minimum braking force and a second adjuster for adjusting the minimum braking force to a maximum braking force. As a result the braking force is easy to adjust while compensating the minimum braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Hitomi
  • Patent number: 4721009
    Abstract: A gear wheel shaft assembly in which the gear wheel (4) is pressed against an end plane (8) of a shaft (1) by a central bolt (5) through the gear wheel. The end plane is situated at a smaller radius than a shaft bearing (2). The cooperating surfaces (8,9) may be sand blasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Axel G. Berle, Bjorn S. J. Fredeus
  • Patent number: 4578047
    Abstract: A station-selecting device for a radio receiver comprises a rotatable control knob for driving an element of a tuning device which is capable of moving between two end positions. Motion transmission is carried out by applying a coefficient of friction between a shaft which is rigidly fixed to the control knob and a driven member. The coefficient of friction is of sufficiently high value to transmit motion when the moving element is located between its end positions and of sufficiently low value to cause displacement of the shaft in sliding motion against the previously driven member when the moving element reaches the end of travel. The driven member is a cyclindrical journal-bearing in which the shaft is rotatably mounted and which is preferably elastic, at least in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Thomson-Brandt
    Inventor: Guy Pissot
  • Patent number: 4551050
    Abstract: According to a depicted embodiment thereof, the novel threaded engagement means comprises a drill rod coupling which is centrally bored and threaded to receive threaded drill rods. A stack of apertured discs, however, engages and lines the threaded bore. The discs intimately engage, and bridge between, the coupling and drill rod threads, and communicate torque therebetween. The coupling has a bearing surface or land upon which the discs are supported, and a retainer set in a recess formed in the coupling secures the disc stack in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Hughes, James F. Cantrel
  • Patent number: 4505343
    Abstract: According to a depicted embodiment thereof, the novel earth bit comprises a shank having a threaded end and a bit head centrally bored and threaded to receive a shank. A stack of apertured discs, however, is interposed between the threaded bore or cavity in the bit head and the threaded end of the shank. The discs intimately engage, and bridge between, the shank and bit head threads, and communicate torque therebetween. The bit head cavity has a bearing surface or land upon which the discs are supported, and the shank has an annular shoulder which bears upon the stack and, thus, compressive forces are communicated from the shank to the bit head. The bit head, of the invention, then, comprises the aforesaid bit head, having the stack of discs secured therein by a retainer, for use, in a plural-part earth bit having a threaded shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Hughes, James F. Cantrel
  • Patent number: 4487592
    Abstract: A torsional vibration isolator coupling displaying particular utility in automotive vehicles powered by internal combustion engines of the diesel or otto type. An input torque shaft having undesirable torsional vibrations, such as a torque directly derived from an internal combustion engine, is coupled to an input torque disc. The periphery of the input torque disc is coupled by an elastomer member and an intermediate rigid disc member to the periphery of a torque output disc, the periphery of the latter also carrying an elastomer member. The two torque discs are parallel and coaxial. A torque output shaft is carried by the torque output disc. A rigid cylindrical retainer axially clamps and axially compresses the elastomer members against their sandwiched torque discs. The output torque is substantially free of torsional vibrations, thus extending the life of power brake, power steering, and the like units driven by the torque output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Household Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis L. Strader
  • Patent number: 4461064
    Abstract: A clutch particularly adaptable to a timing mechanism comprising a metal member with an aperture in it and an insert molded as a single unit a plastic shaft extending through the aperture and having two plastic clutch discs engaging opposed faces of the rotating member. Flanges extending from the clutch discs connect the discs to cam means of the timing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Smock
  • Patent number: 4413689
    Abstract: According to a depicted embodiment thereof, the novel earth bit comprises a shank having a threaded end and a bit head centrally bored and threaded to receive a shank. A stack of apertured discs, however, is interposed between the threaded bore or cavity in the bit head and the threaded end of the shank. The discs intimately engage, and bridge between, the shank and bit head threads, and communicate torque therebetween. The bit head cavity has a bearing surface or land upon which the discs are supported, and the shank has an annular shoulder which bears upon the stack and, thus, compressive forces are communicated from the shank to the bit head. The bit head, of the invention, then, comprises the aforesaid bit head, having the stack of discs secured therein by a retainer, for use, in a plural-part earth bit having a threaded shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Co.
    Inventors: Robert W. Hughes, James F. Cantrel