Abstract: A compactly sized spring-applied electromagnetically released radial face friction brake, with a ball-pocket torque booster producing increased torque capacity. The friction brake is released by energization of an electromagnetic coil attracting an axially movable armature, which nullifies the spring operator force to release the brake. A fail safe electric motor brake application of the brake includes a friction surface mounted to the cooling fan rotated by the electric motor armature to aid in dissipating the heat energy developed in braking.

Abstract: This invention is an overrunning tooth type clutch which is retarder controlled. The clutch engages and disengages two axially aligned shafts with slight relative rotation. The retarder comprises a wrap spring which is circumferentially mounted on the driven shaft and engages the driving shaft. Relative shaft rotation in one direction causes the spring to drag on the driven shaft. In this mode, a force is created in the axially inclined slot through a pin on the driving shaft which causes the driven clutch member to move axially to engage the clutch on the driving shaft. Opposite relative rotation causes the clutch teeth to separate and disengage the two clutch members for slip or overrunning.

Abstract: A spring operated clutch in which the clutching members are urged into engagement by spring sets and drawn out of engagement by an electromagnetic coil acting on an armature member, to provide a fail safe design for automotive fan drive applications. The clutch incorporates a wear compensation arrangement which allows for wearing of the clutching surfaces while maintaining a constant air gap between the armature and the inner body. The arrangement includes a threaded connection between an outer body comprising one of the clutching members and the armature, with the outer body axially advanced on the armature after a wearing of the surfaces reduces the torque output of the clutch, the axial advance being created by an engagement of the armature with a stop surface on the output clutching member.

Abstract: A device for detecting and indicating low pressure or excessive heat in a pneumatic tire. A piezoelectric crystal is operatively associated with a temperature expansible member which expands in response to elevated temperatures. The combined dimensions of the piezoelectric crystal and the expansible member are selected so that one surface of the expansible member is a predetermined distance from the inside surface of the tire. Elevated temperatures cause the expansible member to expand and contact the interior surface of the pneumatic tire resulting in the compression of the piezoelectric crystal and the generation of an output signal. Additionally, deflation of the pneumatic tire causes the tire to deflect so that the predetermined spacing between the interior of the tire and the expansible pellet is reduced and the pellet contacts the inside surface of the tire resulting in the generation of an output signal. The output signal is used to actuate a spark gap to warn of an unsafe tire condition.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch is disclosed of the type having an armature member axially movable into frictional driving engagement with an inner body upon energization of an electromagnetic coil, and provided with a torque boosting arrangement consisting of a plurality of balls disposed in opposed corresponding conical pockets formed in ball seats mounted to the armature member and formed into an axially opposed ball plate element. This clutch design features a light weight construction in which most of the drive components are constructed of formed sheet metal, and in which a shock absorber is provided by a molded elastomeric ring located in the space between the ball plate element and a formed cup-shaped driven member enclosing the ball plate element. The shock absorbing material located between radial faces of the cup-shaped element and the ball plate acts to slow the development of the axial force generated by the torque boosting balls, while yielding to act as a torsional shock absorber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary viscous damper using a magnetic fluid as the damping medium. The damper comprises a permanent magnet rotor enclosed in a magnetically permeable housing. The magnetic fluid fills the space between the rotor and the housing and is held in place using magnetic forces generated by the magnet rotor. The torque of damper may be varied by changing the viscosity of the magnetic fluid or the level of the magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch device for transmitting torque from an input means to an output means includes a clutch actuating means in the form of an electromagnetic winding. The input means includes a driving plate coaxially disposed with and connected to an input shaft for rotation therewith, a driving friction ring member coaxial with the input shaft and connected to the driving plate for rotation with the input shaft and axial movement relative to the input shaft, and an armature coaxially disposed with and threadably connected to the friction ring member. The relative rotational motion between the armature and the output means causes the armature to advance on the thread thereby allowing the friction ring member to fully engage with the output means.

Abstract: A constant torque electromagnetically operated friction clutch including an axially moveable ferromagnetic armature drawn into frictional engagement with an inner body driving the output shaft upon energization of an electromagnetic coil.The torque level transmitted is limited by an arrangement including an intermediate member which is rotatably connected to the armature by pins received at openings in the armature while allowing a predetermined extent of relative axial movement before heads on the pins abut the openings. The intermediate member is drivingly connected to the input member by camming balls which react to torque being transmitted, forcing the intermediate member to move axially, which movement is resisted by a spring force. When the intermediate member reaches the null extent of relative axial travel allowed by the pins, any increase in transmitted torque decreases the engagement pressure of the armature with the inner body set by the maximum torque at that level.

Abstract: A cam actuated clutch of the type in which an armature is drawn into engagement with pole faces formed on a rotatable input member by energization of an electromagnetic coil. The armature is drivingly engaged with an input member by a plurality of balls cooperating with conical recesses formed in opposing radial surfaces, while the torque transmitted through the clutch by engagement of the armature causes a camming action between the balls and recesses by relative rotative and axial movement between the member surfaces formed with the recesses, urging the armature into tight engagement with the pole faces. The anti-jam feature consists of an arrangement for limiting the camming forces generated between the balls and the recesses by creating a spring force resisting the relative axial movement between an intermediate member formed with one set of the conical recesses, with the opposing set of conical recesses formed in the armature.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch or brake of the type having a clutch inner body with inner and outer pole faces drawn into engagement with an armature in order to establish driving engagement of the clutch. A two stage buildup of the torque is produced by an offsetting bias of the inner body pole faces by a nonmagnetic resilient ring separating the pole faces, and a shunt washer of a ferromagnetic material which serves to successively draw the pole faces into engagement with the armature by varying the reluctance through the inner and outer poles as the inner body is drawn into engagement. The resulting two stage torque buildup slows the engagement time of the clutch to thereby enable the use of rapid action torque booster clutch designs in applications requiring slower clutch action.

Abstract: The invention is an electromagnetic friction disc clutch with wear compensating means having mutually opposing cooperating friction discs adapted for releasable coupling of a driving and driven rotary component. When this multiple disc friction clutch is energized by the stationary electromagnetic field, the armature moves in a direction so as to contact the stationary magnet body. The interaction between the armature and an adjustment member causes a wear compensated ring to move, and through a pressure plate the adjustment continues until the pressure plate bears against the friction disc pack. The force on the multiple disc pack increases until the torque between the armature and the magnet body is insufficient to overcome the friction between the armature and the adjustment ring. As the rotating armature bears against the stationary magnet body, the contacting surfaces wear away until all of the magnet force is applied to the disc pack.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch device for transmitting torque from an input means to an output means. The clutch actuating means includes an electromagnetic means, a driving means, an armature coaxially disposed with the input means and threadedly connected to a driving friction ring member, said armature responsive to said electromagnetic winding and said friction ring member being allowed to adjust with respect to said armature for driving the output means. The relative position between the armature and the driving friction ring member is maintained by a retarder disposed coaxially with the armature. The retarder permits relative rotational motion between the driving friction ring member and the armature in one direction and prevents relative motion between said armature and ring member in the other opposite direction. The fail-safe feature is such that when the electromagnetic means is energized no torque is transmitted from the input means to the output means.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch device for transmitting torque from an input means to an output means. The clutch actuating means includes an electromagnetic winding, a driving plate, an armature coaxially disposed with the input means and threadedly connected to a driving friction ring member, said armature responsive to said electromagnetic winding and said friction ring member being allowed to advance on said armature for driving the ouput means. The relative rotational motion between the armature and the driving friction ring member causes the friction ring member to advance on the thread until full engagement with the drive output means is attained. The relative position between the armature and the driving friction ring member is maintained by a retarder disposed between the armature and the driving plate.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch has a driving clutch member and a driven clutch member with an armature on one of the members and an electromagnet having a pair of poles on the other of the members for providing a driving engagement between the members when the electromagnet is energized. The poles are attached to one another by resilient material or by splines to provide relative axial movement between the poles to enable both poles to engage the armature with substantially equal force.The invention relates to electrically operated friction devices and more particularly to electromagnetic clutches.