Abstract: The improved hoist includes a direct current brake and a control therefor. In the brake control, the AC current is rectified with DC current being sent to the brake solenoid. When the hoist is operating, the brake solenoid is energized to hold the brake in the unactivated position. A timer and power reducer are utilized to reduce the power on the solenoid while the hoist is in operation, thus reducing the energy expended while the hoist is in operation. The operating speed of the brake is increased since less power must be dissipated from the solenoid before the brake can be actuated.

Abstract: An engine starter comprises a flywheel relatively rotatably mounted on the engine crank shaft and an electromagnetically operated clutch for selectively connecting and disconnecting the flywheel and the crank shaft. The rotational energy of the engine started by any conventional starter is stored in the flywheel which keeps rotating when the flywheel is disconnected from the crank shaft, and the stored energy in the rotating flywheel can be used to crank the engine.

Abstract: A double acting drive mechanism (10) includes a driving member (12) and a pair of driven members (16) and (18) which carry a small diameter pulley face (24) and a larger diameter pulley face (26) respectively. A clutch mechanism (34) normally couples one of the driven members (16) for rotation with the driving member (12) and the driven member (18) freewheels. Upon energization of the electromagnetic actuator (48), the armature (56), which rotates with the other driven member (18), engages the clutch mechanism (34) to couple the other driven member (18) for rotation with the driving member (12). Engagement of the armature (56) with the clutch mechanism (34) disengages the clutch mechanism (34) from the one driven member (16).

Abstract: A pushbutton tuner formed of a base unit (A) including a memory slide and operating members for displacing the memory slide upon operation of a push button; a coil unit (B) including a movable member provided with cores displaceable relative to coils; a clutch unit (C) including a clutch mechanism and provided with a rotating shaft for manual tuning operation; and an arm unit (D) including a plurality of button slides fitted with push buttons, respectively, and slidably disposed on a top plate. These units are assembled separately from each other and, then, mounted on a baseplate of the base unit (A).

Abstract: Fail safe electromagnetic clutch (10) includes a driving member (12) and a driven member (16). Engagement structure (30) cushions engagement between the driving member (12) and driven member (16) when the clutch is engaged. The engagement structure (30) includes a pair of elements (36, 34) and a resilient wave washer (42) located therebetween. The waver washer (42) biases the element (36) into driving engagement with the driving member (12) and biases the element (34) into driving engagement with the driven member (16). When the clutch is disengaged, a magnetic coil (22) forces the element (34) away from the driven member (16), thereby collapsing the wave washer (42). When the clutch is to be re-engaged, the coil (22) is de-energized, thereby permitting the wave washer (42) to drive the element (34) back into driving engagement with the driven member (16).

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch device for torque transmission from an input means to an output means which incorporates an air gap adjustment feature between the pole faces and the armature during assembly of the clutch. The air gap adjuster permits the armature to be responsive to magnetic flux formed by a predetermined electromagnetic coil voltage without having to tear down the assembly if the predetermined coil voltage is exceeded at initial try-out. Means are also incorporated to compensate for wear of the torque transmitting material.

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 centrifugal clutch is disclosed characterized by the use of an electromagnet to disengage a driven output load from a driving input member. In the clutch assembly, a rotatable output load is disposed about a rotatable drive shaft that carries centrifugal-responsive friction shoes. The shoes contain a magnetic pole an under centrifugal force move radially outwardly during rotation of the shaft to engage frictionally the output load for common rotation. A stationary electromagnetic coil disposed between the shaft and friction shoes attracts the shoes upon energization away from the output load to interrupt the frictional drive connection.

Abstract: A brake mechanism is disclosed wherein a support lever is pivoted at a pivot end to a stationary end plate and is urged by a spring, which engages the support lever at its free end, toward the end plate to effect clamping of a rotatable friction disc between a brake shoe and friction plates disposed near the pivot end of the support lever. A solenoid is mounted on the support lever and is connected to a cam pivoted to the end plate and adapted to contact the support lever near its free end to overcome the force of the spring and to release the brake when the solenoid is energized. The location of the spring and cam near the free end of the lever and the configuration of the lever provides mechanical advantages that permits the use of a smaller solenoid and spring. The arrangement of parts is such that the solenoid mechanical advantage is between approximately 24-32 to 1, depending upon the selected brake releasing clearance, while the spring mechanical advantage is approximately 81/2 to 1.

Abstract: A brake for a railway vehicle has a transmission whose input is connected to a drive motor and whose rotary output is connected through a free-running stepdown transmission to an eccentric that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the direction of displacement of a follower operatively radially engaged with this eccentric. A pack of springs is braced between an abutment spaced to fix distance from the rotation axis of the eccentric and the follower so that this eccentric can load these springs. One arm of a caliper is connected to the follower and the other end thereof carries a brake pad engageable with a brake disk carried on a wheel. The springs are at maximum compression when the brake is off and vice versa so that if power fails the springs will automatically close the caliper on the brake disk and stop the vehicle.

Abstract: A hoist brake with an incremental self adjusting feature. The brake has interdigitated plates which will stop a driven shaft when engaged and allow the shaft to rotate when not engaged. The brake is normally biased into an engaged position and an electromagnet is provided to disengage the brake. A sensing apparatus is provided which measures the gap traversed by a portion of the brake when the brake is activated, the traverse indicating the amount of wear which has taken place since the last adjustment. When the amount of wear is greater than a predetermined amount, the distance between the electromagnet and associated plate on which it acts is incrementally reduced the next time the brake is activated to adjust the gap and insure continued proper performance.

Abstract: A rotary power transmission system comprises a hydrodynamic speed or torque converter or other fluid coupling in combination with a magnetically actuated friction clutch of simplified construction wherein the friction clutch is accommodated inside the housing of the fluid coupling whereas the magnet for actuating the friction clutch is located outside the housing and the magnetic field generated thereby penetrates through the housing.

Abstract: A disc brake keyed on a shaft has two levers and two gripping pads and comprises at least one spring whose action produces the tightening of the two pads on the disc. An electromagnet with a fixed yoke and movable armature produces the releasing of the two pads. A pivot assembly for the two levers is provided each comprising one end acting on one of the two pads and an opposite actuated end. The electromagnet is arranged between the actuated end of one of the levers and the actuated end of the other of the levers. The actuated ends have the form of a hollow body enveloping the electromagnet at least in part. The total lateral bulk of the gripper, in the direction parallel to the shaft bearing the disc is thereby kept less than the sum of the thicknesses of the two levers and of the electromagnet, the electromagnet thus remaining accessible. The device is notably useful in handling equipment.

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: A brake device in which the pressure member, when braked, is urged against the brake disc by a spring and has thereon a main lining and at least one supplemental lining for friction contact with the disc brake. The supplemental lining is rotatable about its center with a disposition that one-half of the supplemental lining projects from the main lining without contacting the braking surface of the brake disc, and the other half is flush with the main lining for contact with the braking surface. A pulling member normally contacting the projecting half of the supplemental lining is provided for pulling the pressure member from the braking surface for brake release by an electromagnet.