Abstract: A torque-limiting clutch and switch assembly for a vending control system including a motor cam for driving a load, a shaft driven by the motor, a motor cam connected to the shaft and having a cross-sectional rotative end bearing portion extending coaxially of the shaft, a load cam having a recess for rotatively receiving the rotative end bearing portion of the motor cam and providing the only rotative bearing support for the motor cam and the shaft on the load cam, and a clutch spring carried by and engaging the motor cam for turning the load cam with the motor cam. The motor cam includes an axially raised portion for actuating the switch assembly, and an intermediate portion between the raised portion and rotative end bearing portion carrying the clutch spring. The load cam includes a cup-shaped section having an end wall in which the recess is located, the recess communicates with the cup-shaped section of the load cam overfitting the motor cam without physical engagement.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly releases a conveyor chain from a driven shaft. The connection between the driving shaft and the chain is by means of tapered pins associated with a driven plate or hub received in tapered holes on a plate attached to the driving shaft. The driven plate or hub carries a sprocket for the chain drive. An overload on the chain drive causes the tapered pins to ride out of the recesses. This activates a pressure cylinder that continues to withdraw the pins for a positive disconnect. Also, the pressure cylinder can bring about a disconnection on command. Limit switches detect a disconnect and then permit restarting the conveyor only when the chain and its drive are appropriately positioned. A set of disconnect plates located on the driving shaft engage rollers that both activate the disconnect and transmit its condition to the limit switches.

Abstract: A rotary torque-transmitting device has co-rotating driving and driven members and at least one pair of co-planar roller elements transmitting a torque load through respective line contacts with said members, at least one of which contacts is obliquely offset to produce a force component acting against a resilient bias for urging the rollers to counter-rotate from their load-transmitting positions to disengage the drive or trigger a load sensor. The line contacts are on portions of the driving and driven members that overlap each other transversely to the plane of said pair of rollers to permit a minimum oblique offset of the contact line and thereby increase sensitivity. The roller elements may be cylindrical rollers with axes parallel to the rotary axis of the device and the line contacts along their length.

Abstract: An electrically powered torque-controlled tool having an electric motor which rotates a bit, whereby a screw, bolt or nut fitted at the front end of the bit is tightened. The tool is designed so that when the tightening force exerted by the bit reaches a preset torque, the driving by the electric motor is stopped by opening the switch and concurrently therewith a clutch interposed between the electric motor and the bit is disengaged and held in this released state, thereby avoiding the reaction which would otherwise be produced by the motor inertia immediately after the tightening, thus achieving a high-precision tightening operation.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus (10) for performing a plurality of motions is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a rotatable support shaft (14) supported on a frame (12) for rotary motion. A plurality of discrete cams (16-22) are supported in a spaced relationship on the support shaft. An individual coupling mechanism (26-32) couples each of the cams to a motion transmitting device. Each coupling mechanism (26-32) includes a cam follower (146, 280, 333). Individual force limiting mechanisms (158, 404) are provided for each of the coupling mechanisms (26-32) for uncoupling a respective coupling mechanism when a force beyond a predetermined level is reached in the respective coupling mechanism.

Abstract: A mining machine haulage transmission includes an overload protection arrangement comprising a torque sensing device which monitors the torque transmitted and brings about decoupling of one or more clutches to disconnect the transmission output from its input, in the event that the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined threshold.In one preferred arrangement, the torque sensing device produces electrical output signals dependent upon the transmitted torque to control operation of the clutch or clutches. In an alternative arrangement or in addition, a source of motive power is connectible to operate the clutch or clutches and control means are provided, responsive to the torque sensing device, to control connection of the power source to the clutch or clutches so as to bring about decoupling in the event of a torque overload.

Abstract: A device for tightening screw joints, comprising a motor, a torque responsive slip clutch and an output shaft, said slip clutch comprising a coil-type friction spring which by one of its ends positively engages one of the clutch halves and which, due to torsional pretensioning, engages the other clutch half by a radially acting friction grip. An adjustable auxiliary torsion spring is arranged in parallel with said friction spring in such a way as to increase or decrease the friction grip of the latter relative to said other clutch half and, thereby, increase or decrease the output torque level of the device. The device includes an adjusting mechanism for setting the torsion load of said auxiliary torsion spring.

Abstract: An electrically operated fastening appliance with an automatic controlling clutch mechanism by which on termination of the fastening operation the power transmission from the motor (13) to the driving spindle (36) is instantly discontinued to prevent application of the excessive torque to the screw-threaded connecting means to be tightened and transmission of undesired reversing torque.The automatic controlling clutch mechanism includes a central gear (40) secured to a drive shaft (38) derived from the motor (13), planetary gears (30) supported on a planet carrier (32) and an annulus member (29) with an internal gear (28) accommodated turnably in a cylindrical casing (14) and clutch elements interposed between the annulus member (29) and the casing (14).

Abstract: A valve spindle drive is disclosed in which the travel of the spindle is limited by a locking mechanism. The spindle is driven by a gearing system on which locking rings are provided. Each locking ring permits rotation in one direction. Arms resiliently mounted on the valve housing carry a second pair of locking rings for mating with the rings on the gearing system. Deflection of the arms during travel of the spindle actuates switches for controlling a spindle motor drive. Movement of the spindle and gearing relative to the second pair of locking elements provides for engagement of a pair of respective locking rings to prevent further spindle travel. The other pair of rings is prevented from coupling by a cam device carried by the gearing.

Abstract: A disc-type brake apparatus adapted for installation in combination with the drawworks of a well bore drilling operation for automatically sensing any reverse torque situation in the drill pipe and quickly set the brake for precluding transmission of any reverse torque to the rotary table drive and clutch mechanism therefor.

Abstract: A pneumatic torque tool includes a torque responsive mechanism which actuates a valve closure member by release of an elongated actuating rod. A movable valve seat is biased in a first position by pressure fluid supplied to the tool and upon release of the actuating rod the valve closure member engages the seat to shut off air flow to the tool motor. Upon closure of an operator actuated valve the seat is biased to a second position for resetting the actuating rod and closure member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a torque control device for an electrically driven tool. The torque control device includes a stationary cam rotatably and detachably connected to an output shaft and a movable cam adapted to be rotatably and slidably engaged by said stationary cam. An adjustable screw cover is provided for adjusting the compression force of a spring against the movable cam thereby regulating the torque acting on the driven tool. The slidably connection between the stationary cam and the movable cam enables the releasing of the rotational force supplied to the stationary cam when the load on the driven tool exceeds a predetermined set torque.

Abstract: A device for tightening screw joints, comprising a pressure fluid motor, an overload friction type slip clutch, a pressure fluid shut off valve and a release mechanism for initiating closing of said shut off valve at slipping of said overload clutch. The release mechanism comprises a female member associated with one of the slip clutch halves and a male member associated with the other of the slip clutch halves, and when aligned with said female member receivable thereinto. The release mechanism also comprises a guide means for urging against a biasing means said male member into alignment with said female member upon relative rotation of the slip clutch halves.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting, torque-sensing system has a first rotatable shaft which can be shifted radially in two orthogonally-displaced directions to be precisely concentric with a second rotatable shaft, has a first coupling element which is rotatable with but which is movable axially relative to one of those rotatable shafts, has a biasing means which urges the first coupling element for movement axially in one direction relative to the one rotatable shaft, has a second coupling element which is rotatable with the other rotatable shaft, and has a surface on one of those coupling elements which coacts with a complementary surface on the other of those coupling elements to enable those coupling elements to transmit torque from that rotatable shaft which is the driving shaft to that rotatable shaft which is the driven shaft while permitting the first coupling element to respond to a predetermined increase in rotation resistance of the driven shaft to move axially in the opposite direction relative to the one rota

Abstract: An overload coupling for two members, one rotating the other about a common axis, includes one or more frangible pin-like elements. Upon overload, the pin fractures and relative rotation between the members takes place. A spring or springs automatically urges one of the elements, mounted on one of the members, into engagement with an abutment on the other member to re-establish a rigid connection. The pin or pins can be in holders that extend radially or parallel to the common axis and each pin can be weakened in several areas and re-used. Also, a number of pins can be housed in a cassette that is connected to one coupling member by a release connection. Upon overload, in one embodiment, the spring or springs are mounted to urge the pin or pins only upon a reduction in the rotational speed of the coupling, when centrifugal force is overcome.

Abstract: A pneumatic powered screwdriver adapted for moderately high speed operation and automatic shutoff at relative low torque turning resistance. An axially disengageable clutch unit intermediately couples the motor drive to the output drive bit. Contained in the clutch unit is an improved shutoff and reset mechanism which is cam shifted radially in response to clutch disengagement for enabling air supply interruption to the motor and automatically and positively reset for enabling subsequent operation.

Abstract: A switching bearing assembly for a motor-driven spindle, e.g. a leadscrew adapted to drive a nut axially along the leadscrew, is provided with a bearing housing disposed between two fixed plates and biased centrally thereof by a plurality of compression springs. The housing is positioned to actuate switches which turn off the motor when the spindle bearing is overloaded, e.g. when the nut reaches the end of its travel or is otherwise impeded in its first axial movement. The housing is also provided with a spring-biased pin which bears upon an eccentric carried by the shaft to frictionally retard further rotation thereof once the motor has been turned off.

Abstract: An automatic motorized valve actuator is disclosed which features a worm gear drive assembly for receiving high rotational motion of a drive motor and reducing it to the low speed linear or rotational motion of a valve stem. A coaxial alignment of the motor shaft, the worm gear shaft and a manual operator shaft eliminates the need for a separate shifting assembly for shifting from motorized to manual operating mode. The invention further discloses clutches for operationally connecting the various shafts, a sliding lockout rod assembly for preventing simultaneous engagement of manual and motor operating modes, magnetic motor engagement and disconnect means, and resilient torque sensing means for shutting off power to the motor.

Abstract: A power tool for setting fasteners to a predetermined torque, having a novel shut-off means that automatically shuts off the power supply at a predetermined torque, but will not "hang up" in the off position.

Abstract: A spring resistance cartridge assembly for a valve actuator is disclosed which offers resistance to movement in either direction of an axial member extending therein. The cartridge assembly has a base plate securable to an axial member and an opposing fixed plate which is secured in a non-movable position. Between the base plate and the fixed plate are two compression plates having spring members trapped therebetween. Bolts and studs attach the compression plates one to each, the base plate and the fixed plate.

Abstract: In an automatic film wind up device including a drive disc driven by an electric motor and a driven disc connected to a film wind up shaft and rotated by the drive disc, the drive and driven discs are provided with a position detecting elements which detects a predetermined relative position of one disc to the other. The position detecting elements are electric non-contact type switch elements comprised of two elements one of which is mounted on the drive disc and the other of which is mounted on the driven disc. Only when the two elements are in alignment with each other, the motor is driven. The drive and driven discs are coupled together by means of a clutch or a click stop device and are disengaged from each other when the driven disc is forced to stop. Upon the stoppage of the driven disc, the detecting elements detects the disengagement of the discs and act to stop the motor.

Abstract: A garage door operator includes a drive screw, rotationally and longitudinally movable in a shuttle track or guide rail, and a screw-driven shuttle mounted on the track and connected to the door. A lever arm is attached to the screw at a rearward end thereof and is pivoted to the operator at one side of the screw. Another end of the lever arm, adjacent an opposite side of the screw, is operatively disposed with respect to control switches and is spring-loaded, whereby door engaged obstructions cause the rotating screw to move longitudinally, against the spring bias, and to actuate, through the lever arm, a switch for stopping or for reversing the operator motor. A sleeve coupling permits longitudinal screw movement with respect to the operator's motor, and is provided with means to permit continued motor operation, drivingly disengaged from the screw, upon control malfunction, in order to prevent damage or injury.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed which is rigidly connected between a press slide and a slide driving component. The assembly is concentric with the slide axis and enables both axial adjustment of the slide position and overload protection for the slide during press operation. The assembly includes relatively slidable telescoping components, one of which is provided with an adjusting ring facilitating adjustment of the slide position relative to the press bed. The other component is provided with a shoulder spaced from and facing the adjusting ring, and a load responsive shear fixture is interposed between the shoulder and adjusting ring to provide overload protection.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting, torque-sensing system has a first rotatable shaft which can be shifted radially in two orthogonally-displaced directions to be precisely concentric with a second rotatable shaft, has a first coupling element which is rotatable with but which is movable axially relative to one of those rotatable shafts, has a biasing means which urges the first coupling element for movement axially in one direction relative to the one rotatable shaft, has a second coupling element which is rotatable with the other rotatable shaft, and has a surface on one of those coupling elements which coacts with a complementary surface on the other of those coupling elements to enable those coupling elements to transmit torque from that rotatable shaft which is the driving shaft to that rotatable shaft which is the driven shaft while permitting the first coupling element to respond to a predetermined increase in rotation resistance of the driven shaft to move axially in the opposite direction relative to the one rota

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor and a motor switch movable between on and off settings. A transmission connects the motor to the tool holder of the power tool. The transmission includes a torque-responsive clutch arrangement which transmits torque below a preselected value in a first manner and torque above the preselected value in a different and distinguishable second manner. The torque-responsive clutch means undergoes an automatic change of torque transmission manner in response to a rise of transmitted torque past the preselected value. A turn-off arrangement mechanically detects the automatic change of the manner in which the clutch arrangement transmits torque and in response thereto automatically moves the motor switch from the on to the off setting. An override device is activatable by the user of the power tool for mechanically preventing the automatic turn-off arrangement from turning off the motor.

Abstract: An overload protector for mechanical press comprises a cylinder chamber formed in the mechanical actuating chain of the press, and filled with incompressible fluid; a safety valve which relieves the fluid from the chamber when the chain receives an overload, and which includes a relief route containing a pilot valve part and main valve part in series. The pilot valve part is arranged to close the route at the outlet of the passage penetrating the valve member of the main valve part therethrough, and to be opened by the pressure of the fluid when above the setting pressure for relief. The valve member of the main valve part is arranged to be moved for opening the route by the difference between the pressures acting thereon from both sides connected by the passage when the pilot valve part is opened.

Abstract: A torque tool having a rotation transmitting, torque sensing, energy absorbing, non-overriding mechanism interconnecting a motor and a rotatable driven head. The mechanism includes a driven member coupled to the head and a driver coupled to the motor with the driver yieldably biased toward the driven member. The driven member has cam surfaces facing the driver engaged by bearing surfaces on the driver. The cam surfaces on the driven member permit rotation of the driver relative to the driven member and are sloped such that a preselected torque between the driven member and driver results in the rotation and translation of the driver relative to the driven member. The translation is communicated for the release of a valve rod which actuates a valve to shutoff the motor. The kinetic energy causing relative rotation after shutoff of the motor is stored and dissipated by springs.

Abstract: A pneumatically powered tool for setting of threaded fasteners, having an axially movable clutch assembly and a fastener drive spindle both of which are coupled for rotary motion to effect fastener run-up. Upon attainment of a predetermined torque load on the drive spindle, the clutch assembly and drive spindle are intermittently uncoupled by action of a ball being forced up a cam ramp, whereupon a latch pin is activated to initiate seating of an air inlet valve, thus terminating tool operation.

Abstract: A power wrench in which an output shaft is powered by a motor via a magnetic torque responsive release clutch, and in which a torque non-responsive clutch is connected between the release clutch and the output shaft. Cam teeth which are associated with the release clutch halves are effective to inactivate the torque non-responsive clutch as the driving and driven halves of the latter, during increased torque load, have reached their fully released position. As the release clutch is unloaded there is an angular gap between the cam teeth corresponding to the relative angular displacement arising between the release clutch halves as the load on the release clutch is increased from zero to release level.

Abstract: A protective mechanism is provided for valves having a nut through which a power-driven valve stem is threaded. The mechanism functions to protect the valve seat against the continuation of thrust of the valve-stem closure element against the valve seat after the valve has been fully closed. The continuation of thrust force, unless prevented, occurs due to inertia of the drive motor after torque-sensing or other means have shut off the power to the motor. The protective mechanism includes energy-absorbing means for absorbing the kinetic energy of the over-running drive motor and for stopping further rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A screw or nut runner for tightening screw joints wherein a speed related braking force is applied upon those rotating parts of the nut runner that are positively coupled to the screw joint, thereby avoiding the influence of the inertia factor upon the obtained torque level. The power transmission of the screw or nut runner comprises a magnetic release clutch. A centrifugal brake is located after the release clutch in the power train for preloading the release clutch by generating a speed related braking force.

Abstract: In a power operated torque tool, the pressure-fluid feed is controlled by a valve which opens to start the tool, and closes to stop it. This valve is mounted on the end of a push-rod which extends along the axis of the tool. The tool also has a clutch which disengages on reaching a predetermined torque, and at the same time releases a grip on the push-rod, so that the valve can move to close the feed to the tool motor, and thus to stop the tool. The grip on the push-rod is exerted by a group of balls held in a sleeve and pushed against the rod by a tube with a tapered internal wall which surrounds the sleeve. The balls are pushed against the taper by a light spring, which is considerably weaker than the spring which holds the clutch in engagement.

Abstract: A spring clip over-ride mechanism for screw drive actuators which convert rotary motion to linear motion. The screw drive actuator of the invention has a tubular rotatably driven member and a screw threaded rod axially located inside the tubular member. The tubular member has a plurality of apertures therein. The spring clip of the invention surrounds the tubular member and biases a ball occupying each aperture into engagement with the threads on the rod member such that under normal conditions the balls drivingly engage the threaded rod to convert the rotary motion of the tubular member into linear motion of the rod member. In the event the rod member jams, the spring clip overload mechanism of the invention allows the driving balls to move radially outwardly so as to disengage themselves from the rod threads.

Abstract: Motor rotated cams each actuate a lever and each lever is connected by a flexible non-extensible member, cable or chain, to the element of the machine to be controlled. A spring loaded bell crank lever is provided for each flexible non-extensible member and the non-extensible member passes over a pulley mounted at one end of an arm of the bell crank lever. Each arm of the bell crank lever actuates an electric switch connected to a motor whereby if the tension in the flexible non-extensible member increases or decreases excessively the appropriate one of the switches is opened to stop the motor.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device for protecting a rotatable member of a motor powered machine tool feed mechanism from excessive impact and overload is disclosed. The device includes structure forming a flanged piston concentrically mounted with respect to the rotatable member and axially slidable within a housing in response to axial displacement of the rotatable member, (which is undesirable and thrust and radial bearing structure in which the rotatable member is journaled for rotative displacement. The housing and the flanged piston combine to define a pressure chamber whose volume varies as a function of the axial position of the piston. The pressure chamber is connected to a source of fluid under pressure, to cause the piston to yieldingly resist axial displacement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer is positioned on a member of a power press subject to stress under dynamic conditions. A ball joint bracket means fixes and maintains the transducer on the member parallel with the direction of force and with the faces of the piezoelectric ceramic plate perpendicular thereto. The high voltage signal generated by the transducer is transmitted to a signal conditioning circuit and impressed upon the grid of a grid-controlled vacuum tube. If the conditioned signal is sufficient to overcome the biasing grid voltage, it activates an electric circuit for the performance of one or more functions, including stopping the power press in the case of an overload, counting the number of times the press is overloaded or the number of times a workpiece is produced, and measuring the press load during a work cycle.

Abstract: A clutch connects the drive motor to the rotatable tool holder. The driven part of the clutch has a plurality of clutch recesses bounded by sloping clutch ridges, with clutch balls received in the recesses. An annular pressure body surrounds the driving part and is pressed by a threshold-torque-determining spring against the clutch balls to hold them in their recesses. When the clutch torque exceeds the threshold value, the clutch balls rise out of the clutch recesses and slip over the respective clutch ridges into the respective adjoining clutch recesses. In so doing, they briefly push back the annular pressure body. This causes the annular pressure body to drive locking balls radially inward through registering radial openings in the driving part and in a locking bolt interior to the latter. When the inner locking ball moves completely into the locking bolt, locking between the driving part and locking bolt terminates.

Abstract: A power tool, particularly a power screwdriver, has a housing which accommodates a drive, and a tool holder which is rotatably mounted in the housing, together with a rotatable component that is connected with the drive to be rotated by the same. A coupling arrangement is provided, including cooperating coupling portions on the rotatable component and the tool holder, for connecting the tool holder with the rotatable component in torque-transmitting relationship, and for terminating such transmission of torque when the value of the latter exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A clutch or coupling device for interconnecting a drive shaft to an axially aligned driven shaft which supports drive sprockets for chain belt conveyor of a press characterized by a disk member connected to the drive shaft for rotation therewith and having a plurality of recesses which have converging planar side walls and are circumferentially spaced on a circle coaxial with the axis of the drive shaft to receive circumferentially spaced dogs which have slanting plane surfaces extending substantially parallel to the side walls of the grooves and are mounted on a flange member which is connected by a mounting device to the driven shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for cocking a breechblock of an automatic firing weapon equipped with an electric motor which is operatively connected through the agency of an electromagnetic coupling with a displacement mechanism for the breechblock in order to move the breechblock into its cocked position, an electric switch which, upon reaching the cocked position, cuts-off the coupling. An overload device is provided which upon exceeding a certain value of the displacement resistance of the breechblock actuates the electric switch for cutting-out the coupling.

Abstract: A power tool having an adjustable torque-limiting coupling and a shut-off means, the coupling (or clutch) consisting of a driving member, a co-axial driven member and a coupling assembly comprising a tapered helical spring and means for adjusting the position of the spring on the driving and driven members, and the shut-off means sensing relative movement between the driving and driven members, and effecting shut-off.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for opening and closing door members and the like such as elevator doors and garage doors, for example, wherein the driver rotatingly drives a driver shaft coupled to a driven shaft via a ball drive assembly, the ball drive assembly not only coupling the driver and the driven shafts so the driven shaft is rotated at a reduced rate of speed, but also cooperating to provide a portion of a torque control for sensing obstructions in the door member path of travel and automatically stopping or reversing the opening or the closing of the door member. The ball drive assembly has a relatively low moment of inertia, which facilitates faster stopping of the door member travel, and the internal friction of the ball drive assembly is greater than a pulley-belt type of coupling, for example, thereby increasing the amount of force required to move the door member from a stopped position.