Including Disengageable Rotary Or Frangible Drive Connection Patents (Class 417/319)
  • Patent number: 5622481
    Abstract: An apparatus for pumping molten metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a submergible pump housing, a rotatable impeller disposed within the pump housing, an impeller shaft having one end coupled to the impeller and extending through an opening in the pump housing, a motor-driven rotating drive shaft and a coupling member engaging an end of the drive shaft and an opposite end of the impeller shaft and a shear pin extending between the coupling member and one of the drive shaft and impeller shaft thereby coupling the drive shaft and the impeller shaft. Preferably, the coupling member is a female coupling member having two shaft receiving openings receiving the drive shaft end and the second end of the impeller shaft and includes a pair of aligned transverse apertures. A graphite pin is inserted through the coupling member apertures and extends through a transverse bore near the end of the impeller shaft. The graphite pin is held in place by a wire wrapped around an outer periphery of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Bruno H. Thut
  • Patent number: 5569022
    Abstract: A pump driven by an electric motor includes a stator, a rotor cooperating with the stator, a rotating drive-shaft associated to the rotor, a hermetically sealed chamber, and a disk wheel within the sealed chamber and joined to the drive-shaft. The sealed chamber is sealed by a first ring gasket around the drive-shaft and in the sealed chamber and a second ring gasket fixed to the drive-shaft and against the first ring gasket. The first and second ring gaskets are pressure coupled to each other. At start-up of the motor, the rotor or the stator is allowed to turn freely for a certain initial arc without torque being applied to the coupling so that inertia can be accumulated to overcome resistance of the coupling when the torque is subsequently applied to the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Sole S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Rossi
  • Patent number: 5520155
    Abstract: A tappet and plunger assembly adapted for fluid injection pump, such as unit fuel injector. The fuel pump plunger is retained directly to the tappet by a flexible member such as an elastomeric o-ring. If the plunger seizes in its housing bore, the flexible member will sufficiently flex and/or fail thereby allowing the tappet to i) separate from the stationary plunger and ii) remain in contact with the mating component of the moving engine drive train. The arrangement helps prevent damage to the engine by engine drive train components if the plunger becomes seized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Hefler
  • Patent number: 5507219
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fail-safe linkage for a reciprocating pump and a method for repairing the pump following failure of the linkage. The pump linkage includes a break rod inserted between the crosshead and piston rod so that an inevitable failure of the linkage occurs predictably in the break rod. In such a manner, pump downtime can be reduced following failure since the break rod can be easily replaced without extensive disassembly of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Huey Stogner
  • Patent number: 5482432
    Abstract: A coolant pump system features a pump impeller supported on a pump shaft without bearings, and an axially in-line drive shaft with bearings coupled to the pump drive shaft. The system minimally includes a pump body having a bore therein, a coolant pump impeller, a pump shaft passing through the bore and having the impeller mounted on one end thereof, and a bearingless seal shaft assembly disposed in the bore which prevents coolant from leaking out of the body around the rotating pump shaft. The outer end of the pump shaft and the drive shaft are designed to be quickly disconnected to allow simpler, easier, less expensive interconnection of or replacement of the coolant pump, should that ever be necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Deco-Grand, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Paliwoda, Verle Propst
  • Patent number: 5443372
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a compressor of an automotive air conditioning system which is equipped with a safety mechanism for preventing damage to the engine due to compressor failure or malfunction. A front end plate with a tubular extension which extends in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft is attached to one end of the compressor housing. A pulley is rotatably supported on said extension by means of a bearing. At its terminal end, the drive shaft is connected to an armature which includes a centrally located hole through which the drive shaft extends. The armature is connected by means of a bolt and a nut and rotates with the drive shaft. The pulley transmits rotational motion from the engine to the drive shaft through an armature plate by means of coupling plate members which are interposed between the pulley and the armature plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kanoll
  • Patent number: 5441389
    Abstract: An eddy current coupling with an electrically controllable field current is used to rotatably connect a drive motor to an oil well pumping mechanism where the eddy current drive speed is controlled to a reference speed using a speed feedback control system and operation can be limited in torque output by a torque feedback control system. In a first alternative embodiment, the eddy current coupling output speed is controlled by a stroke modulation unit using a first selected speed for the upward pumping stroke and a second selected speed for the downward pumping stroke. In a second alternative embodiment a controller is used to select torque or speed control for the upward or downward .pumping stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Wolcott, William L. Sieger, Alvin J. Watson
  • Patent number: 5364237
    Abstract: A compressor assembly for pumping a recirculating refrigerant including input and output shafts rotatably supported within a housing and a pressure responsive clutch disposed therebetween for selectively translating torque from the input shaft to the output shaft to drive the compressor. An auxiliary clutch compressor is employed for generating an auxiliary refrigerant discharge pressure and a control valve is moveable between first and second positions to either route refrigerant discharge pressure away from the clutch or to bear upon the clutch so as to translate torque between the input and output shafts. The auxiliary compressor includes a piston and a cylinder with the piston operatively mounted to an eccentric portion of the input shaft and driven by the input shaft for reciprocal motion within the cylinder to generate an auxiliary refrigerant discharge pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Swain
  • Patent number: 5346370
    Abstract: A liquid pumping system adaptable for connection to either an electrical drive motor or an internal combustion engine, wherein a generator and clutch is coupled to the driving source, and a pressure sensing switch is connected to the generator rotor to selectively provide voltage to a rectifier circuit and field winding for the clutch. The energization of the field winding causes the clutch to actuate and thereby causes a mechanical coupling to a reciprocable pump for developing liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventor: Duane D. Krohn
  • Patent number: 5326232
    Abstract: A two stage main pump has a first pump portion that is drivingly connected to an input shaft and a second pump that is drivingly connectable with the input shaft by a speed sensitive mechanism. The speed sensitive mechanism is urged by a resilient member to connect the second pump portion with the input shaft as well as to a centrifugal flyweight mechanism that is responsive to the rotary speed of the input shaft in order to urge a disconnection of the second pump from the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David A. McDonnel, Karl L. Swartout
  • Patent number: 5312233
    Abstract: A rotary/reciprocating liquid dispensing pump for dispensing liquids in the nanoliter range has a narrow radial slot extending longitudinally from an end of a reciprocating, rotating cylindrical piston sliding in a smooth cylindrical bore of a pump housing at a closed end thereof, which slot extends outwardly to the periphery of the piston. The piston is selectively positioned in alignment with one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced small diameter radial passages within the housing opening directly to the cylindrical bore in the path of rotation of said slot. The ports thereof opening to the cylindrical bore are spaced circumferentially a distance in excess of the width of the slot. A linear liquid dispensing pump apparatus including such pump includes a stepping motor and an electromagnetic clutch/braking mechanism concentrically surrounding a lead screw, and the lead screw is threadably engaged with a stepping motor tubular rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Ivek Corporation
    Inventors: Mark N. Tanny, Raymond A. LeBlanc, Douglas S. Bensley, Vernon W. Zeitz, John E. Barney
  • Patent number: 5279503
    Abstract: A coolant pump system driven initially by an electric motor in-line with the pump shaft to the pump housing incorporates a ram air-assisted cooling system. The ram air-assisted cooling system includes an electric motor whose rotating shaft drives the primary fan member. A second fan member is located about and connected to the periphery of the primary fan member and is rotated by high velocity air streams purposefully directed at the secondary fan blades. The air which drives the secondary fan member is preferably gathered by one or more air inlet funnels. Typically, two air inlet funnels are equiangularly disposed adjacent the periphery of the secondary fan blade members so that a balanced current of air is swept across the secondary fan blades. A shroud extends over the secondary fan blade members to force the inlet air over the fan blade members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Deco-Grand, Inc.
    Inventor: Verle Propst
  • Patent number: 5273409
    Abstract: A compressor assembly for pumping a recirculating refrigerant including a power input shaft, a power output shaft and a clutch disposed therebetween for translating torque from the power input shaft to the power output shaft. The clutch includes a solenoid for generating an electromagnetic force and an actuator including input friction plates mounted for rotation with the input shaft and output friction plates mounted for rotation with the output shaft. The input and output friction plates are adapted for frictional engagement to translate torque between the input and output shafts. The actuator is responsive to the electromagnetic force to initially move along the axis of the input shaft thereby bringing the input and output friction plates into engagement to translate torque between the input and output shafts to actuate the compressor assembly so as to produce a refrigerant discharge pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Swain
  • Patent number: 5269662
    Abstract: An aircraft air conditioner refrigerant compressor drive and mounting apparatus for use on aircraft of the type having free rotating power output gears in the accessory pads. The accessory pads accept the mounting of the compressor drive and mounting apparatus to which is mounted an air conditioner refrigerant compressor. The engine power output gear couples with the drive shaft within the compressor drive and mounting apparatus. The drive shaft extends linearly through the compressor drive and mounting apparatus, and is supported by bearings within. Bracket means are provided for mounting an air conditioner refrigerant compressor to the compressor drive and mounting apparatus such that the refrigerant compressor drive shaft is generally parallel with the compressor drive and mounting apparatus drive shaft. A pulley is attached to the refrigerant compressor drive shaft and generally aligned with a pulley on the compressor drive and mounting apparatus drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventors: John W. Denton, Jack A. Denton
  • Patent number: 5219273
    Abstract: An air conditioning refrigerant compressor assembly includes a swash plate disposed on a drive shaft centrally within a housing. Three double-ended pistons are reciprocally supported on the swash plate within respective front and rear compression chambers. A pulley is freely rotatably supported concentrically about the drive shaft and connected by a flexible endless driving belt to a power take-off of an engine. A hub is fixedly retained on the end of a drive shaft. An annular torque cushion made of an elastomeric material is bonded to the hub and extends radially outwardly therefrom to support an outer ring concentrically about the drive shaft. An armature plate is fastened to the outer ring. An electromagnetic solenoid creates a field of magnetic flux when energized which draws the armature plate into frictional engagement with the pulley causing the rotary motion of the pulley to be transferred to the drive shaft which rotates the swash plate within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Roy Y. Chang
  • Patent number: 5215447
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mini-type air compressor and in particular to one which includes a motor having a driving axle connected with a driving gear, a fixed seat on which is fixedly mounted the motor, a transmission gear having an enlarged threaded portion and meshed with the driving gear of the motor, a cylinder mounted on the fixed seat, an eccentric member provided with a shaft extending through the transmission gear to engage with the fixed seat so that one side of the eccentric member is spaced apart from the enlarged threaded portion of the transmission gear and the transmission gear must rotate through a certain distance before that side contacts and pushes the eccentric member to rotate, and a spring mounted between the transmission gear and the eccentric member for pushing the eccentric gear to contact another side of the enlarged threaded portion of the transmission gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: San-Jou Wen
  • Patent number: 5199857
    Abstract: Two plungers in the dual plunger pumps are selectively operated by either short-stroke cams or long-stroke cams which are disposed on a rotary drive shaft. When rotating the rotary drive shaft in one direction, the long-stroke cams are driven to operate the plungers with a large stroke. When the drive shaft rotates in the reverse direction, the long-stroke cams run idle by way of a one-way clutch disposed between the drive shaft and the long-stroke cams, while the short-stroke cams are driven to operate the plungers with a small stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Sanuki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sannosuke Sanuki
  • Patent number: 5195625
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly adapted for use in actuating a refrigerant compressor having a drive shaft with a continuously driven pulley rotatably supported about the drive shaft. An armature plate is supported in spaced parallel relationship from the pulley friction plate by an elastomeric torque cushion which extends between the drive shaft and the armature plate. The elastomeric torque cushion is capable of flexing to allow the armature plate to bridge the gap under the influence of an electromagnetic force to engage the pulley friction plate thereby translating power from the pulley to the drive shaft. The torque cushion includes at least one reinforcing member disposed within the cushion for preventing the torque cushion from buckling as torque is translated from the pulley through the armature plate and the torque cushion to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Y. Chang, Robert L. Swadner
  • Patent number: 5062775
    Abstract: An extracorporeal support system has an inlet catheter which is positioned with its distal end in the right atrium or vena cava of the patient. A roller pump with an inlet pressure sensor is positioned close to its inlet to sense the pressure in the inlet line which pumps the blood through the system to any output catheter positioned in the arterial system of the patient. The system has a shunt with blocking valves to block the flow automatically in the event of an unsafe condition. The system has a microprocessor-based controller for automatic operation of the system components including a servomotor for driving the roller pump at a speed to precisely maintain the inlet pressure at a preselected point. The system includes a blood treatment device such as an oxygenator. The roller pump has an axially adjustable head which is also removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Rocky Mountain Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Orth
  • Patent number: 4998864
    Abstract: An improved scroll compressor is disclosed which incorporates a one-way clutch operative to prevent reverse rotation of the orbiting scroll member. In one embodiment the one-way clutch also serves as a lower bearing for supporting the drive shaft whereas in another embodiment a separate bearing member is utilized in connection with the one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: Earl B. Muir
  • Patent number: 4997346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for eliminating at least a portion of the energy losses in a well pumping system which are due to "regeneration" (i.e. those periods during the pumping cycle in which the pumping system experiences negative net torque). This is accomplished by positioning a clutch means in the driving connection between the prime mover and the pumping unit of the well pumping system so that the clutch means forms a driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and effectively disengages the driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit to allow freewheeling therebetween during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: William M. Bohon
  • Patent number: 4983100
    Abstract: A radial piston pump in which an annular coupling device (10), whose axially directed extensions (11) each engage a working piston, has a preset break point (15) in the area of the axial extensions (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Budecker
  • Patent number: 4927333
    Abstract: A fluid pump having a housing, a pair of rotors, a pair of rotor shafts for supporting the rotors in the housing, identical mating gears provided on the rotor shafts, and rotary drive for rotating the rotor shafts to rotate the rotors, and comprising a one-way clutch operatively connecting the rotary drive to the rotor shaft, a multiple-disc clutch operatively connecting the rotary drive to the other rotor shaft, and coils for generating a magnetic force by which the multiple-disc clutch is activated. When the multiple-disc clutch is not activated, rotation of the rotary drive is transmitted to the rotor shaft through the one-way clutch, and when the multiple-disc clutch is activated by the coils, rotation of the rotary drive is transmitted to the other rotory shaft through the multiple-disc clutch. By activating or inactivating of the multiple-disc clutch, it is possible to change the drive-driven relationship between the rotor shafts, so that a nonuniform wear of the mating gears is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kichiro Kato
  • Patent number: 4901837
    Abstract: In a pneumatically operable clutch driven piston and cylinder compressor assembly a multiplate friction clutch comprises a drive member of the clutch carried on an input shaft which has internal bearings supporting the driven end of the compressor crankshaft and the drive shaft being rotatable in an island portion of the crankcase which carries a fluid pressure operable annular piston engageable with a shell of the clutch for release thereof, the arrangement permitting the clutch to be located at least in part within a projection of the cylinder of the compressor. A plurality of webs connecting the island portion with the crankcase are arranged to allow unrestricted communication between the compressor crankcase and a crankcase of an engine to which the compressor is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Paul N. M. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4895493
    Abstract: A rotary pump mechanism is disclosed which comprises a coupling section that couples an impeller and drives the coupling section and, in turn, the impeller. The coupling section incorporates most of the components of the pump that wear out and are expensive. As a result, the impeller can be disposed of without disposing of other components. The coupling section can also be changed for continuous operation of a single impeller. Although the preferred application of the invention is in the area of pumping blood and other biological fluids, the disclosed invention has utility in any application where it is desirable to turn an "impeller-like" element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Harold D. Kletschka
  • Patent number: 4871299
    Abstract: The compressor unit consists of a screw compressor (2) and a drive motor (1), which is connected for drive purposes to the screw compressor (2) by way of an engageable and disengageable clutch (3) and can be temporarily stopped in order to control the throughput of the screw compressor (2). To allow starting of the compressor unit without the drive motor (1) becoming thermally overloaded, the clutch inserted between the drive motor (1) and screw compressor (2) is in the form of a known centrifugal clutch (3), the driving clutch member (17) being connectable to the driven clutch member (18) by means of friction plates (23, 28). For automatic operation of the centrifugal clutch (3), a control chamber (21) is provided, the presser plate (36) of which is adjustable against the friction plates (23, 28) by means of centrifugal weights (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Ventilwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Hrabal
  • Patent number: 4859156
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a compressor of an automotive air conditioning system which is provided with a safety mechanism for preventing damage to the engine due to compressor failure. A front end plate with a tubular extension which extends in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft is attached to one end of the compressor housing. A pulley is rotatably supported on said extension by means of a bearing. At its terminal end, the drive shaft is connected to a plate-like element which includes a centrally located hole through which the drive shaft extends. The plate-like element is connected by means of a bolt and a nut and rotates with the drive shaft. The pulley transmits rotational motion from the engine to the shaft through the plate-like element by means of cylindrical members which are interposed between the pulley and the plate-like element. The cylindrical members are made out of an easily destroyed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuto Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 4840543
    Abstract: There is provided a mechanism or system for use with a motor driven mechanism, such as a pump for pressurizing paint for spray painting purposes, which permits conversion of the power source therefor between an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, each of which being capable of directly driving the motor driven mechanism. The mechanism or system includes a commonly shared clutch mechanism which is controlled such that the clutch is engaged and the pump operated until the operating level is reached at which time the clutch is disengaged so that the electric motor or internal combustion engine is under no load. The clutch mechanism utilizes a magnetic clutch and the clutch driven plate is non-rotatably connected to the pump input shaft while the clutch drive plate in non-rotatably connected to the motor or engine output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: John D. Geberth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4831825
    Abstract: A device for feeding energy to a cylinder rotationally mounted on a stationary machine part includes a hydraulic pump disposed in the cylinder, and a transmission device located between the stationary machine part and the hydraulic pump, the transmission device being engageable with the hydraulic pump at a drive side thereof for driving the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Willi Jeschke
  • Patent number: 4828463
    Abstract: A rotary compressor comprises an input shaft, a compressor component and a clutch component movable between an engaged position where the compressor component is connected to the input shaft to allow a torque to be transmitted from the input shaft to the compressor component and a disengaged position where the compressor component is disconnected from the input shaft to prevent the torque from being transmitted from the input shaft to the compressor component. A hydraulic pump is drivingly connected to the input shaft to discharge a pressurized working fluid upon the rotation of the input shaft. The clutch component includes a clutch member disposed within a clutch cylinder and cooperating therewith to define a pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nishizawa, Masashi Takagi, Akio Matsuoka, Fuzio Nomura
  • Patent number: 4789310
    Abstract: A multi-functional implement useful as a portable automobile accessory which includes a main casing and an air functional portion mounted in the main casing. The air functional portion includes a first mechanism for blowing air outwardly of the main casing and a second mechanism for pumping air under pressure outwardly of the main casing. A motor having an output shaft extending in a longitudinal direction is movably mounted in a frame which is mounted in the main casing such that the motor is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction. A lever is pivotably mounted to the main casing and connected to the motor for moving the motor between a first position at which the motor is engageable with the first mechanism to effect blowing of air outwardly of the main casing and a second position at which the motor is engageable with the second mechanism to effect pumping of air under pressure outwardly of the main casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Inventor: Michael Hung
  • Patent number: 4721439
    Abstract: A device for a drive for pumps with a constant holding and preset operating pressure, has, in order that it can be driven by a commercially available electric motor which can continue running with a closed spray gun, a differential gear with an input shaft (15) for the connection of the motor and two output shafts (8, 30) for connection to the pump and a series connected hydraulic pump and adjustable throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Wiwa Wilhelm Wagner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Guenter Leinweber
  • Patent number: 4715800
    Abstract: A rotary compressor comprises an input shaft, a compressor component and a clutch component movable between an engaged position where the compressor component is connected to the input shaft to allow a torque to be transmitted from the input shaft to the compressor component and a disengaged position where the compressor component is disconnected from the input shaft to prevent the torque from being transmitted from the input shaft to the compressor component. A hydraulic pump is drivingly connected to the input shaft to discharge a pressurized working fluid upon the rotation of the input shaft. The clutch component includes a clutch member disposed within a clutch cylinder and cooperating therewith to define a pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nishizawa, Masashi Takagi, Akio Matsuoka, Fuzio Nomura
  • Patent number: 4709785
    Abstract: A retrofit emergency lubrication system utilizing friction-hydrostatic drive is disclosed. The retrofit system provides an emergency lubrication system backup to existing bearing lubrication systems such as for turbine-generator rotors. The retrofit system utilizes actuators to detect low bearing oil pressure and to activate resilient wheels to contact the rotor which drive high pressure pumps. The high pressure pumps in turn drive a hydraulic motor pump which in turn drives an oil supply tank pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Csanady, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4697991
    Abstract: As a rotary pump, which is typically provided on an automobile, is provided with two alternative sources of motive power, typically including a driving connection to the automotive engine, and driving connection to an electric motor. These driving connections may be unidirectionally clutched in such a manner as to cause the electric motor to drive the rotary pump only when the pump is to be driven but the automotive engine is not operating up to a predetermined speed. Typically, the rotary pump is of the eccentrically mounted rotor type having radially outwardly protruding spring-loaded pistons effectively in contact with a camming ring. A slider is shown provided between the housing and the ring for effectively varying the magnitude of eccentricity of the rotor and thus for effectively smoothly varying the capacity of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengi Tsukahara, Kazuma Matsui, Taizoh Abe, Masahiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4662071
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a motor-driven chain saw wherein a sprocket for a saw chain and a drive wheel for an oil pump are rotatably journalled on the crankshaft. The oil pump pumps oil for lubricating the saw chain and guide bar. The sprocket and the drive wheel are driven via a clutch drum. In this arrangement, a detachable resilient connecting member is provided to connect the drive wheel of the oil pump to the clutch drum at the peripheral wall of the latter. The resilient connecting member protects the drive wheel and the oil pump from excessive wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl
    Inventors: Klaus Hoppner, Benno Tilders, Anton Wehle, Gunter Wolf
  • Patent number: 4621982
    Abstract: A main pump (rotary vane pump 1) and a secondary pump (radial piston pump 2) are driven by way of a common shaft (3), a cam ring (30) being used to drive the secondary pump. The cam ring is coupled to the shaft (3) by way of a shear pin (33). If the auxiliary pump locks, the shear pin fractures and the cam ring (30) can rotate relative to the shaft (3). In that case, the fracture portions of the shear pin (33) are driven into their respective bores (34, 35), thereby avoiding excessive friction and overheating. Therefore, the main pump can continue to operate in spite of the failure of the auxiliary pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignees: Vickers System GmbH, Daimler-Benz Aktiegesellschaft
    Inventors: Rene Schulz, Heinrich J. Braum, Kurt Nadolny, Van-Trung Nguyen
  • Patent number: 4619587
    Abstract: A compressor drive is suggested which in particular finds use as an air conditioning compressor for motor vehicles with the combustion motor being the drive unit. Thereby, the drive of compressor 10 is performed by means of a controllable V-belt variable drive 21 which can be separated from the compressor 10 by means of an electromagnetic clutch 12. Due to the known friction drive a rotational speed independency from the combustion motor can be attained for an air conditioning compressor. This is of a considerable advantage for the capacity of compressor 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Linnig
  • Patent number: 4604035
    Abstract: A submersible motor pump assembly having an improved driving connection between the motor and pump. The motor shaft and pump shaft are disposed in end-to-end relation and a bolt extends through an axial passage in the pump shaft and the projecting end of the bolt is threaded in an axial opening in the end of the motor shaft. The outer or opposite end of the pump shaft is formed with a recess that communicates with the passage and the head of the bolt is fixed against rotation with respect to the pump shaft by a bolt retainer which is disposed with the recess. A shear pin interconnects the mating ends of the two shafts to provide a driving connection. The hand of the thread on the bolt is such that rotation of the motor shaft, after shearing of the shear pin, will cause the bolt to be unthreaded from the motor shaft to prevent locking up of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Harvestore Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4600366
    Abstract: Apparatus for adjustable control of the rate of pumping liquid through a peristaltic pump, comprising a main shaft onto which an index plate is slideably engaged and locked by rotating the plate with respect to the shaft and seating the plate in a lateral slot on the shaft, a pawl assembly rotated by a motor and adapted to engage and disengage itself to the index plate as the assembly follows an adjustable cam surface, thereby providing intermittent rotation to the shaft which drives a peristaltic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Inventor: Gustav H. Stenner
  • Patent number: 4561827
    Abstract: An air compressor has a piston (3) reciprocable to compress air within a cylinder (2), a clutch (16) to transmit drive from a drive input shaft (12) to the piston when compression is required, a piston (27) arranged to be responsive to pressure resulting from the compressor output operable to disengage the clutch (16) and thereby interrupt drive to the compressor piston when the pressure reaches a predetermined value, and a passage (37) to provide a leakage path for the pressure applied to the piston (27) to enable the pressure to decay in a controlled manner when further operation of the piston is required, whereby engagement of the clutch is permitted to occur progressively and shock loadings on the compressor components are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Paul Beaumont
  • Patent number: 4556127
    Abstract: A ramp lever is adjustably supported by a frame secured to the rail of a railway track. The lever has a shaft portion and a car wheel striking portion that extends upwardly from the shaft portion. The ramp lever is rotatably supported by the frame for movement between a raised position and a depressed position. The shaft portion of the ramp lever is connected through an indexing assembly to a drive shaft. A torsion spring extends in surrounding relation from the shaft portion to the indexing assembly. After the car wheel has passed over the ramp lever and depressed the lever, the torsion spring returns the ramp lever to the initial raised position. During the return stroke of the ramp lever to the raised position, the indexing assembly transmits rotation from the ramp lever shaft portion to the drive shaft. The drive shaft is disconnected from the ramp lever as the car wheel depresses the ramp lever to isolate the drive shaft from the shock forces transmitted by the car wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Trak-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Doorley, Paul J. Henninger, Chester F. Klages, Jr., Jerrold K. Shetter
  • Patent number: 4553914
    Abstract: A pumping system has a main pumping unit (14) and a backup pumping unit (16) mounted in a common housing (4) and adapted to be driven by a drive member (44). The main pumping unit is connected to the drive member by a main drive coupling (68) which incorporates a reduced shear section (76) designed to fail upon a jamming or seizure of the main pumping unit. A backup drive coupling (78) connected to the backup pumping unit is adapted to be axially displaced and threadably connected to the drive member after stoppage of the main pumping unit. An actuation device (18) functions to axially displace the backup drive coupling to establish threaded engagement. When the backup drive coupling is engaged with the drive member, the backup pumping unit will provide flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Chandler Evans Inc.
    Inventors: Godwin L. Noell, Jack G. Sundberg
  • Patent number: 4515533
    Abstract: A clutch lever retaining mechanism for preventing the inadvertent movement of a clutch lever, the retaining mechanism having a mounting bracket, an adjustable support bracket and a latch member pivotally mounted on the support bracket. The latch member has a notch therein which receives the clutch lever. A pin secures the latch member against movement. In use within a water pumping system having a clutch mechanism and clutch lever, the clutch lever retaining mechanism immobilizes the clutch lever in order to prevent inadvertent movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Inventor: Abelicio Gomez
  • Patent number: 4512724
    Abstract: An electrically driven pump (10) for circulating liquid in a fish tank (16) or the like comprises a stator (32); an impeller-rotor assembly (80) comprising a shaft (82), a magnetic rotor (84) mounted on the shaft (82) for rotation in response to the electromagnetic field produced by the stator (32), and an impeller (100) rotatable with the rotor (84); and a housing (50, 60) disposed adjacent the stator (32) and defining a chamber for supporting the impeller-rotor assembly (80), the housing having inlet (44) and outlet (70) openings, one of the openings (70) being spaced from one end of the impeller-rotor assembly (80), the housing (50, 60) also defining a connecting channel (66) communicating the one opening (70) with the one end of the assembly (80) for bathing the one end of the assembly (80) in liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Metaframe, Inc.
    Inventor: Tibor Horvath
  • Patent number: 4505185
    Abstract: An energy converter transmission uses a throughshaft clutch and a through-shaft energy converter for transfer of energy to and from a shaft. The energy converter includes a housing and a rotor mounted to a hollow coupling shaft. The energy converter can be an hydraulic, a pneumatic or an electric energy converter. A first clutch element is also mounted to the coupling shaft. A second clutch element is mounted to the main drive shaft which passes through the hollow coupling shaft. Actuation of the clutch engages the clutch elements to couple the main drive shaft to the rotor via the clutch and coupling shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Power-Train, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan J. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4493613
    Abstract: An oil pump assembly having an adjustable production rate and capable of long stroke, low stroke per minute pumping rates, comprising a reciprocating pumping rod in a well hole, a counterbalancing mechanism for reducing the power needed to pump oil by the pumping rod, a driving mechanism to drive the reciprocating pumping rod and the counterbalancing mechanism, including a first cable and a second cable, to drive the reciprocating pumping rod and the counterbalancing mechanism, respectively, a speed control for the driving mechanism, and a dwell mechanism for the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Petroleum Recovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 4487029
    Abstract: A variable-displacement rotary fluid compressor comprising first and second rotary compressor assemblies including respective rotor units rotatable about axes aligned with each other and first and second drive shafts respectively carrying and rotatable with the rotor units, each of the compressor assemblies having fluid inlet and outlet ports; a fluid inlet chamber communicating with the fluid inlet ports of the two compressor assemblies and a fluid outlet chamber communicating with the fluid outlet ports of the compressor assemblies; a first clutch assembly comprising a drive member which is rotatable about an axis aligned with the axes of rotation of the rotor units and which is to be driven by a drive source, a driven member rotatable with the first drive shaft and coupling means to couple the drive and driven members together when actuated; and a second clutch assembly comprising a driven member rotatable with the second drive shaft and coupling means to couple the respective driven members of the first a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hidaka, Yasuhiro Niikura
  • Patent number: RE31947
    Abstract: A pump such as a vehicle air conditioner compressor has a compressor shaft, a continuously engine-driven flywheel and means such as an electromagnetic clutch for selectively coupling the flywheel to the shaft to operate the pump. The flywheel also provides a permanent magnet field which field rotates with the flywheel and induces in the windings of a relatively stationary annular stator assembly an electric voltage in response to the rotating magnetic field. The pump shaft, annular clutch actuating coil, annular stator assembly, and permanent magnet flywheel are all generally concentrically disposed and in the order stated. The flywheel is driven any time that the engine is running thereby inducing a voltage in the stator windings and that flywheel also drives the exemplary compressor when the clutch is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: James B. Farr
  • Patent number: RE32577
    Abstract: A fluid pumping arrangement including a fluid pump including a suction port, and a fluid pumping device comprising a pump housing defining a recess, and a moveable wall which is located in the recess and which cooperates with the recess to define a variable volume pumping chamber. The pumping device also includes a fluid inlet communicable with the fluid pumping chamber and adapted to communicate with a source of fluid, a fluid outlet communicable with the fluid pumping chamber and communicating with the suction port, and an arrangement for effecting reciprocating movement of the moveable wall in response to alternate communication of the fluid pumping chamber with the fluid outlet and with the fluid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Chester G. DuBois