Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for use with a power door lock actuator. The centrifugal clutch includes an independently rotatable pinion cup having an integral pinion gear which meshes with a jack screw, and a driver rotatably secured to an output shaft of a drive motor. The driver has at least one radially outwardly opening recess formed therein with at least one slider slidably retained within the recess. The slider is biased in a radially inward direction by magnetic lines of force which are provided by a permanent magnet mounted within the driver. Alternatively, a number of sliders can be formed of magnetic material such that the magnetic sliders are mutually attracted to one another in a radially inward direction. A centrifugal force is generated when the driver is rotated. The centrifugal force overcomes the magnetic attractive force to throw the sliders radially outwardly into positive driving engagement with the pinion cup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device 4 for a freewheeling unit 1 of a non-directly driven axle of a motor vehicle driven by a directly driven axle. To lock the freewheeling unit 1 there is provided a first drive element 2 with a number of circumferentially distributed apertures 15 holding radially displaceable locking elements 16. The locking elements, for the purpose of establishing a non-rotating connection between the first drive element 2 and the second drive element 3, may partially enter recesses 17 of the second drive element 3 corresponding to the apertures. Radial displacement of the locking elements 16 is achieved by a spring loaded axially movable control element 10. Displacement of the control element 10 is achieved by radially outward displacement of centrifugal masses 20.

Abstract: This clutch comprises centrifugal weights (11) which are arranged radially in a hub (12) fastened to the output shaft (2) of an electric motor (1), returned to the position of rest by means of springs (21), and which, when the centrifugal force is sufficient, can come into engagement with the axial ends (26a) of an elastic ring (26) capable of transmitting the torque of the shaft (2) frictionally to a part (28) carrying an input pinion toothing (4) of a gear train for controlling the part to be driven. This arrangement simplifies the structure of the clutch in comparison with that of known clutches.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing accidental unrolling of a rolling shutter or overhead door comprising a cogwheel which has uniformly distributed on the circumference opening outward for containing radially movable tumblers, a cage which surrounds the cogwheel that contains an abutment in the form of a recess for the tumblers which are raised by the action of centrifugal force. Upon reaching a predetermined rotational speed, the tumblers engage an abutment in the cage and the cage acting as a brake is then driven by the cogwheel and slowed down by friction.

Abstract: A clutch is adapted to be interposed between an electric motor (1) and a gear train (5) for driving a screw on which is mounted a sleeve controlling a locking element. The clutch comprises weights (11) disposed in a hollow member (3) in a position radially of an output shaft (2) of the motor (1), said weights being biased by return springs (21) toward a de-clutched position of rest and being capable of being driven by the rotation of the shaft (2) to a clutching position in which they are engaged with the member (3). The weights (11) are mounted in a support constituted by a hub (12) defining a cavity (15) for the weights and by a cover (16) which closes said cavity (15) and is fixed to the hub (12). The cover (16) is adapted to permit the radial displacement of the weights (11) toward the member (3) under the effect of centrifugal force. This structure facilitates the placing in position of the weights and their assembly by an automatic machine.

Abstract: A multi-stage torsional damping device for a vehicle clutch having a low-rate primary stage to eliminate transmission gear rattle occurring during neutral transmission position and a normal rate resilient and friction damping stage. The first stage consists of a low spring rate, substantially frictionless floating suspension of an inner hub within an outer hub to allow the outer hub to oscillate with engine impulses. A medium rate substantially frictionless second stage may be utilized to cushion the torque transference from the first stage to the normal rate last stage and provides compaction of some of the compression springs for the last stage for a given deflection without friction until the hub parts abut, and the third stage consists of compaction of all of the compression springs and additional deflection with friction. Alternatively, centrifugal weights may be used to lock the inner and outer hubs together at a predetermined rotation level, after which a normal damping operation is effected.

Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission wherein the mechanical power path comprises three planet gears rotating at different speeds (for any given speed of the associated sun gear). The hydrostatic power path includes a different sun gear, three other planet gears, and a ring gear. Clutch mechanisms are arranged to selectively connect different ones of the mechanically-driven planet gears to associated ones of the hydrostatically-driven planet gears.The percentage of power through the hydrostatic and mechanical power paths varies according to the rotational speed of the output member (ring gear). The transmission occupies a relatively small space, while providing a multiplicity of different hydrostatic-mechanical power hook-ups.

Abstract: A power-machine comprising a plurality of driving gears positioned around a driven gear, each driving gear including a plurality of radially sliding teeth spaced equidistant about the outer circumference of the driving gear, such that centrifugal force created by the rotational movement of the driving gears will move the radially sliding teeth radially outward of the driving gears to contact and thereby accelerate the drive gear.

Abstract: An actuator with a positive centrifugal clutch has a clutch drum loosely rotated relative to a rotary drive shaft and is provided with large inner diameter portions and engaging protuberances inwardly projecting from the large inner diameter portions; a clutch body loosely fitted within the clutch drum and driven by the rotary drive shaft, and provided with a retaining hole opening radially from the center thereof toward the inner wall of the clutch drum; and an engaging permanent magnet loosely movably retained in the retaining hole of the clutch body. When the clutch body is in a standstill state, the engaging permanent magnet provides a magnetic attraction between itself and the rotary drive shaft and thereby is accommodated within the retaining hole. When the clutch body continues its rotation, centrifugal force is generated.

Abstract: This torsion damping device comprises two coaxial parts, namely a hub (10) and a hub disc (11), fitted mutually rotatably within the limits of a definite angular play and counter to springs (16). The torsion damping device also comprises at least one locking element (22, 40, 55, 66, 74) which is sensitive to centrifugal force and which is reversibly movable between a position for which, inoperative, the locking element permits freedom of action to the springs (16), and a position for which, producing an abutment of the hub disc (11) against the hub (10), the locking element renders the springs (16) inoperative. Application of the torsion damping device is especially to clutch friction plates for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A fail-safe, velocity-discriminating centrifugal clutch having a biased, ion-transmitting pawl element displaceable at speeds at or above a predetermined threshold value to an engagement position with a driven ratchet assembly. Under conditions of missing or malassembled parts, clutch operation is in the fail-safe mode with no transmission of rotary motion. In the engaged position, no centrifugal force generated by the pawl element is applied to the ratchet assembly. This feature, plus the radial contact between the pawl element and the ratchet assembly, allows operation between misaligned input and output shafts, even at high rotational speeds.