Abstract: A clutch system includes a rotary input member, a wrap spring clutch and a rotary output member. The wrap spring clutch has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of coils. The stiffness of the wrap spring clutch is selected such that, when transmitting less than a selected coil engagement torque, the clutch system transmits torque helically from the rotary input member, to the second end, helically through the wrap spring clutch to the first end, and into the rotary output member. When transmitting more than the selected coil engagement torque, the clutch system transmits torque in parallel from the rotary input member, to the second end, helically through the wrap spring clutch to the first end, and into the rotary output member, and from the rotary input member through the coil engagement surface, to the first end, and into the rotary output member.

Abstract: An engine starter apparatus having a clutch assembly and a ring gear or pulley. The clutch assembly has a plate structure, a drive hub and a clutch element for selectively coupling the drive hub to the plate structure. The ring gear or pulley is coupled to the plate structure.

Abstract: A torque transmitting mechanism includes a drum attached to one of a first member and a second member, and a shell attached to another of the first member and the second member. The drum and the shell are concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis, with the shell concentrically disposed about the drum. An electric motor includes a stator, and a first rotor rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the stator. A band is coupled to the shell, wrapped around the drum between four and twelve complete revolutions, and includes a first end attached to the first rotor for rotation with the first rotor. The band includes a second end attached to a reaction member. Rotation of the first rotor tightens the band against the drum to bias the drum against the shell, to transmit torque between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a wrap spring being wound around to be in a pressure bonding state relative to an outer peripheral surface of a tubular portion of a driving-side rotation member. A first end of the wrap spring connects to a driving arm of a driving member, which connects to a driven-side rotation member. A second end of the wrap spring connects to a rim portion of an operating member formed in a disc form. The operating member is rotatable relative to the driven-side rotation member about the rotation axis as the center and movable along the rotation axis. After a rotation of the operating member is restrained, the driving member is restrained from rotation, which operates the wrap spring to twist and cancels the pressure boding state of the wrap spring relative to the driving-side rotation member, which in turn provides a power cutoff state.

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch system includes one or more wrap spring clutch assemblies each having a latching actuator assembly. The latching actuator assembly includes an armature plunger movably coupled with a solenoid coil, and in a powered solenoid coil state the solenoid coil moves the armature plunger between deployed and retracted configurations. A latching magnet latches the armature plunger in one of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state. A latching spring latches the armature plunger in the other of the deployed or retracted configuration in an unpowered solenoid coil state. The wrap spring clutches include a rotatable input hub and a rotatable output hub configured for rotation by the input hub. A helical spring is engaged with the output hub and selectively engaged in slipping and locking engagement with the input hub according to the deployed or retracted configuration of the armature plunger.

Abstract: The invention provides a system, device and method for using a rotary actuator, e.g., a stepper motor to actuate a wrap spring clutch. Feedback from a system of sensors and GPS data, including rotational speed, travel speed and direction are provided to improve the reaction accuracy of the clutch. In one embodiment, a plurality of actuator controllers are connected in a configuration wherein one controller is a “master” and the remaining controllers are “slaves” to provide a higher level of machine control.

Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having a driver, an output member, a clutch spring, an armature and an actuator. The clutch spring includes a plurality of coils that are configured to be drivingly engaged with the driver. The clutch spring further includes first and second ends. The first end is configured to drivingly engage the output member to facilitate the transmission of rotary power from the driver, through the clutch spring and into the output member. The second end is engaged to the armature. The actuator is selectively operable for rotating the armature relative to the driver in a rotational direction opposite a predetermined rotational direction in which the driver is driven to thereby initiate at least partial disengagement of the coils of the clutch spring from the driver.

Abstract: A compact-size electromagnetic clutch reaches a blocking state as an electromagnetic solenoid is switched from a non-driving state to a driving state and can save wasteful consumption of energy under this blocking state. This electromagnetic clutch includes a wrap spring in pressure-contact with an outer face of a cylindrical portion of a drive pulley provided on the center side thereof. One end of the wrap spring is coupled to a drive arm of a drive member operably connected to a shaft. The other end of the wrap spring is coupled to an operational member rotatable relative to the shaft and movable along the rotational axis thereof An electromagnetic solenoid attracts the operational member. An operational mechanism permits realization of the blocking state by preventing rotation of the drive member after a twisting operation of the wrap spring subsequent to the attraction of the operational member by this electromagnetic solenoid.

Abstract: Actuating device for a recirculation pump of a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine comprising a pulley suitable for being rotationally driven by the engine, a driven shaft for driving the pump and an electromagnetically controlled coupling interposed between the pulley and the driven shaft, in which the electromagnetic coupling comprises an electromagnet, coupling mechanism controlled by the electromagnet and mobile between an engagement position in which the pulley is connected to the driven shaft and a disengagement position, and an elastic member for maintaining an engagement member in the engaged position when the electromagnet is not energized.

Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.

Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism that permits power to be transmitted from an external driving source to a rotary shaft of a rotating machine includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body, an armature, and a spring clutch. The spring clutch is wound about an outer circumference of the first rotating body and an outer circumference thereof is surrounded by the extended portion of the second rotating body. The spring clutch has a first end connected to the first rotating body, and the second end is connected to the armature. Supply of current to the electromagnetic coil causes the armature to adhere to the second rotating body. When the armature rotates, the diameter of the spring clutch is increased such that the spring clutch is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the extended portion and the first rotating body and the second rotating body are coupled to each other.

Abstract: A driven accessory having a clutch that permits selective operation of an accessory portion. The clutch employs rotational inertia to control driving engagement of a wrap spring to an interior clutch surface on a drive member and/or driving disengagement of the wrap spring from the interior clutch surface.

Abstract: A permanent magnet activated wrap spring clutch (10). A coil spring (32) surrounds an input hub (14) and an output hub (22) and is selectively engaged to wrap down upon the hubs for the transmittal of torque. In an unpowered, engaged condition of the clutch, a permanent magnet (40) attracts a control collar (38) attached to the spring into frictional engagement with a rotating input element (20). Rotation of the control collar causes the spring to wrap down from its somewhat oversized diameter at rest to grip the hubs. In a powered, disengaged condition of the clutch, an energized coil (44) causes the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to move away from the control collar, thereby removing the frictional engagement and allowing the spring to unwrap. The clutch provides torque transmittal without electrical power and ensures complete disengagement regardless of a low momentum or high drag on the output.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a rotor, armature hub, armature, magnetic body and first permanent magnet, field core, excitation coil, and second permanent magnet. The rotor is rotatably disposed in the housing of a driven device. The armature hub is fixed to the rotating shaft of the driven device, the armature movable in an axial direction. The magnetic body is incorporated in the rotor. The first permanent magnet connects the armature to the rotor. The field core is attached to the housing and inserted in the rotor to be in noncontact with it. The excitation coil is disposed in the field core and excited, when cutting off power transmission, to cancel a magnetic force of the first permanent magnet, thus releasing the armature from the first permanent magnet. The second permanent magnet separates the armature from the rotor, when cutting off power transmission, to move the armature toward the armature hub.

Abstract: Actuating device for a recirculation pump of a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine comprising a pulley suitable for being rotationally driven by the engine, a driven shaft for driving the pump and an electromagnetically controlled coupling interposed between the pulley and the driven shaft, in which the electromagnetic coupling comprises an electromagnet, coupling mechanism controlled by the electromagnet and mobile between an engagement position in which the pulley is connected to the driven shaft and a disengagement position, and an elastic member for maintaining an engagement member in the engaged position when the electromagnet is not energized.

Abstract: Described herein is a pulley assembly for a start-stop belt drive, comprising a hub having an axis and designed to be connected to a crankshaft of an internal-combustion engine, a pulley, which is designed to co-operate with a belt of a belt drive and is connected in a rotatable way on the hub, and a seismic mass, which is connected to the hub so as to rotate with respect to the hub so as to define a damping device for damping torsional vibrations. The pulley assembly comprises a band clutch co-operating selectively between the hub and the pulley and comprising a coil element and electromagnetic actuation means for governing clutching and de-clutching of the coil element.

Abstract: A wrap spring device includes a first hub and a second hub located axially to the first hub. A wrap spring is located externally and concentrically about the first and second hubs and glycol-based solution surrounds the spring. The spring is engaged and disengaged thereby causing the first and second hubs to engage and disengage each other.

Abstract: A rotary force controlling apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same are provided. The rotary force controlling apparatus includes a clutch device having a shaft, and a rotary body mounted at one end of the shaft. A housing receives and rotates together with the shaft. A power transferring member is rotatably mounted in the housing and selectively rotates the housing by a clutch inserted between the housing and the power transferring member. A positioning unit protrudes from the periphery of the housing and positions a stop location of the rotary body. A solenoid unit is spaced apart from the clutch device and is selectively turned on and off. The positioning unit includes a first positioning unit that positions an initial location of the rotary body when the solenoid unit is turned on; and a plurality of second positioning units that are separated from the first positioning unit and stop the rotary body at a predetermined location when the solenoid unit is turned off.

Abstract: A permanent magnet activated wrap spring clutch (10). A coil spring (32) surrounds an input hub (14) and an output hub (22) and is selectively engaged to wrap down upon the hubs for the transmittal of torque. In an unpowered, engaged condition of the clutch, a permanent magnet (40) attracts a control collar (38) attached to the spring into frictional engagement with a rotating input element (20). Rotation of the control collar causes the spring to wrap down from its somewhat oversized diameter at rest to grip the hubs. In a powered, disengaged condition of the clutch, an energized coil (44) causes the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to move away from the control collar, thereby removing the frictional engagement and allowing the spring to unwrap. The clutch provides torque transmittal without electrical power and ensures complete disengagement regardless of a low momentum or high drag on the output.

Abstract: A supercharger control system is installed at the bottom front end of the engine, directly onto the crankshaft. An accessory drive belt around the accessory belt pulley rotates continuously to keep vehicle accessories operating. A second belt around a larger pulley drives the supercharger blower. When the dashboard mounted switch is turned on, electricity from the engine energizes an electromagnet, which compels engagement of the rotating accessory pulley with the supercharger pulley by means of a slide plate. The belt around the supercharger pulley then rotates, operating the supercharger. If the driver does not require extra power and performance delivered by the supercharger, the switch is turned off, stopping the flow of electricity. This shuts down the magnetic field, causing the pulleys to be disengaged and disconnecting the supercharger, while still allowing the crankshaft to operate the accessories.

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch including a drive shaft, an output hub, a shoulder, a hub, a wrap spring, a bushing, and a control ring. The drive shaft is configured to rotate about an axis. The output hub is mounted over the drive shaft and is configured with a first groove. The shoulder is fixed to the drive shaft and configured to rotate therewith. The hub is fixed to the drive shaft and is configured to rotate therewith. The wrap spring is helically wrapped about the drive shaft and over the hub. The wrap spring also includes a first wrap end and a second wrap end. The first wrap end is press fit into the first groove. The bushing is mounted over the drive shaft and the bushing has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled between the drive shaft and the second wrap end. The control ring is mounted over the drive shaft and fixed to the second portion of the bushing thereby defining a second groove. The second wrap end is press fit into the second groove.

Abstract: A variable speed slip clutch is provided. The clutch has an output shaft, a first and second input hub, and output hub, a wrap spring and a control hub. In one embodiment, the clutch includes a source coupler coupled to a first and a second input drive. The output shaft is configured to rotate. The first input hub is coupled to the first input drive and configured to rotate about the output shaft in a first direction. The second input hub is coupled to the second input drive and configured to rotate about the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. The output hub fixed to the output shaft and configured to rotate therewith. The wrap spring has a first and a second end. The first end of the wrap spring is fixed to the output hub such that the first end of the wrap spring rotates with rotation of the output hub. The control hub is coupled to the second end of the wrap spring. In one embodiment a control motor is provided and coupled to the control hub.

Abstract: A remote brake release for elevator drive machine brakes includes a release lever attached to a shaft coupled by a clutch to a bellcrank. The clutch is normally engaged and can be a spring clutch or a friction type disc clutch. Movement of the lever to rotate the shaft moves the bellcrank which is coupled to a brake release mechanism. A solenoid is actuated to disengage the clutch preventing release of the brake. The solenoid can be connected to a control circuit responsive to a speed of rotation of the drive machine motor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic spring clutch may be utilized to engage a drive shaft 8 of a auxiliary machine for vehicle 2 and may include an input pulley 1 rotatably supported by a housing of the auxiliary machine for vehicle 2. An electromagnetic coil 5a may be disposed within the input pulley 1 and an armature 11 may be reversibly coupled to the input pulley 1 by the electromagnetic coil 5a. An output hub 7 may transmit torque applied to the input pulley 1 to the drive shaft 8. Preferably, the output hub 7 is prevented from moving in an axial direction relative to the drive shaft 8 and a clearance C is defined between the input pulley 1 and the output hub 7. Preferably, the clearance C is prevented from increasing during operation. A coil spring 4 may couple the armature 11 to the output hub 7. The coil spring is preferably prevented from the intruding into the clearance C between the input pulley 1 and the output hub 7.

Abstract: A soft action clutch uses a helical spring attached to a pulley at one end and free at the other end. In a relaxed state, preferably, the helical spring presses outwardly pushing a brake pad assembly against a fixed outer field cup braking the pulley. To serve as a clutch, a rotor has a pole face to magnetically draw the helical spring towards it. The resulting friction between the rotor and helical spring causes the spring to wrap down on a spring loaded friction disk. The wrap down compresses the friction disk radially, creating two frictional links from the friction disk to the rotor and the pulley, respectively.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated wrap spring clutch is provided. The inventive clutch includes a shaft hub disposed about a longitudinal axis and an input hub that is coaxial with the shaft hub. The input hub includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter and the second portion is nearer the shaft hub than the first portion. The clutch also includes a spring connected to the input hub and disposed radially outwardly of a portion of the shaft hub and the first and second portions of the input hub. The spring may be symmetrical, having a uniform diameter and including first and second tangs disposed at either end of the spring wherein both tangs extend radially outwardly. The clutch further includes a control collar connected to the spring and a coil disposed about shaft hub. The use of the multiple diameter input hub and symmetrical spring reduce assembly time, cost, and clutch engagement time.

Abstract: An electromagnetic spring clutch may be utilized to engage a drive shaft 8 of a auxiliary machine for vehicle 2 and may include an input pulley 1 rotatably supported by a housing of the auxiliary machine for vehicle 2. An electromagnetic coil 5a may be disposed within the input pulley 1 and an armature 11 may be reversibly coupled to the input pulley 1 by the electromagnetic coil 5a. An output hub 7 may transmit torque applied to the input pulley 1 to the drive shaft 8. Preferably, the output hub 7 is prevented from moving in an axial direction relative to the drive shaft 8 and a clearance C is defined between the input pulley 1 and the output hub 7. Preferably, the clearance C is prevented from increasing during operation. A coil spring 4 may couple the armature 11 to the output hub 7. The coil spring is preferably prevented from the intruding into the clearance C between the input pulley 1 and the output hub 7.

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch (10) including an input side rotating member (12), an output side rotating member (14), a pole piece (16) containing a cylindrical center bore (18), a coil spring (20) having a first end (22), a second end (24), an outer diameter (24A) and an inner diameter (24B), an end frame (26) and a switch element (28). The cylindrical center bore (18) maintains the outer diameter (24A) of the coil spring (20) thereby minimizing variations in the performance of the wrap spring clutch (10) and reducing the cost and difficulties associated with the manufacture and assembly of known designs.

Abstract: A speed control device having a high-efficiency, electromagnetically actuated wrap spring clutch that is capable of generating a high torque output using a low power input is provided. Both a control collar and a coil housing of the clutch have annular flanges portions that are axially adjacent and extend in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The geometry of the two flanges portions results in a high level of magnetic flux transfer between the housing and the control collar when a current is generated in the coil by application of an input power. The high level of magnetic flux transfer draws the control collar and the shaft hub into a tight frictional engagement even with a low power input to the clutch. As a result, the clutch is able to generate a high torque output despite a low power input. The inventive clutch is used in a vehicle speed control device.