Abstract: A drive train includes a drive element, an output element and a thermal overload safeguard. The thermal overload safeguard is configured in such a way that there is a connection between the drive element and the output element below a critical temperature, and the drive element and the output element are decoupled mechanically from one another above the critical temperature.

Abstract: The present application provides a torque limiter which includes a first torque limiting module for limiting a first torque with regard to a rotating direction and a second torque limiting module for limiting a second torque with regard to a counter direction of the rotating direction.

Abstract: There is provided an external stereo microphone device that enables further enhancement of operational feeling achieved when microphones are reoriented. An external microphone attached to a mobile electronic device includes a pair of symmetrically-positioned microphones 60, a holder unit 40 having a pair of holders 46 symmetrically positioned so as to accommodate the pair of microphones 60 respectively and a joint 48 for joining the pair of holders 46 together, a case 14 having a substantially-cylindrical portion 20 that rotatably supports the holder unit 40 and a body 18 that accommodates a circuit board 22, and a roller 56 that revolves over an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 20 in association with rotation of the holder unit 40.

Abstract: Conveyor slip detection and control. A controller is operable to receive a first signal from a first sensor, determine a first value for a position of a first portion of a torque limiting device based on the first signal, receive a second signal from a second sensor, determine a second value for a position of a second portion of the torque limiting device based on the second signal, determine a difference between the first value for the position of the first portion and the second value for the position of the second portion, determine an amount of slip between the first portion and the second portion based on the difference, and generate a control signal to control an operation of the conveyor based on the amount of slip.

Abstract: A transmission device includes a rotatable shaft, a first transmission member, and a second transmission member. The first transmission member includes a first fitting portion fitted coaxially to an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft, and is attached to the rotatable shaft to transmit torque. The second transmission member is rotatably driven by a driving device and includes a second fitting portion fitted coaxially to the outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft. The second transmission member is connected coaxially to the first transmission member while the first and the second fitting portions are fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a torque limiter comprises an outer cylindrical housing having a plurality of semicircular grooves disposed in an interior surface. An inner cylindrical housing is arranged at least partially within the outer cylindrical housing. The inner cylindrical housing has a plurality of slots passing from its interior surface to its exterior surface. A plurality of roller bearings are disposed within the slots. An elastic cylinder is also arranged within the interior of the inner cylindrical housing. When applied torque is below a torque limit, the elastic component presses the roller bearings into contact with the semicircular grooves to couple the outer and inner cylindrical housing. In response to applied torque exceeding the torque limit, the elastic component compresses sufficiently to allow the roller bearings to retract and disengage the semicircular grooves, thereby decoupling the outer and the inner cylindrical housings and preventing the transfer of torque.

Abstract: A torque limiting includes first and second rotational plates, first and second springs, and a slip device. The first rotational plate is coupled to a torque input device. The second rotational plate is coupled to a drive shaft, and is configured to be movable along an axial direction thereof. The first spring has a first free length, and exerts a first spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The second spring has a second free length, smaller than the first free length, and selectively exerts a second spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The slip device, disposed at least partially within or between the first and second rotational plates, causes relative motion between the first and second rotational plates when torque overcomes the combined first and second spring forces exerted against the second rotational plate.

Abstract: A disconnect mechanism is provided which, upon a suitable trigger event, such as excess temperature causes a camming element 40 having a tapered head 52 to move under the urging of a compression spring 60 such that the tapered head 52 becomes trapped between a rotating element 32 and a support 42. This gives rise to frictional inter-engagement which prevents further rotation of the rotating element 32 and thereby locks the rotating machine against further rotation. This is turn causes the shear region to fail thereby drivingly disconnecting the machine from its prime mover.

Abstract: A thermal clutch assembly is comprised of a radially inner rotatable member, a radially outer rotatable member a pair of axially spaced apart ring structures, and a thin tension web. The ring structures are both affixed to and rotate with one of the rotatable members and each has at least one substantially axial surface which may contact substantially axial surfaces of the other rotatable member. The tension web has high tensile strength, a high surface area to volume ratio, a thermally efficient flow arrangement to the surrounding medium, and high thermal conductivity. The tension web is secured to each of the two ring structures and substantially spans the space between the substantially axial surfaces of the ring structures, the web having a significantly higher thermal coefficient of expansion than the material between the substantially axial surfaces of the other rotatable member.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for coupling two shafts for rotating in the prolongation of one another with respect to a casing. A dog clutch ensures that the two shafts are coupled. The device comprises a clutch release uncouple the dog clutch. The clutch release comprises a screw secured to one of the shafts, a nut secured to a flywheel and cooperating with the screw. The screw and nut have an axis coinciding substantially with the axis of rotation of the shafts, and a brake for braking the rotation of the flywheel with respect to the casing, and, in the clutch engagement position, the braking of the flywheel slackens the nut of the screw and drives one of the shafts in translational motion along said axis, so as to uncouple the dog clutch. The structure of the clutch release makes it possible to uncouple the shafts when these are in rotation.

Abstract: In the disclosed electromagnetic clutch, a bent porion (15a) of a plate (15) comes into contact with an armature (6) attempting to move beyond a predetermined movable range, thereby restricting the movement of the armature (6). As a result, if an elastic member (14) is fused, a trouble is prevented which otherwise might be caused by the movement of the now-unsupported armature (6) beyond a predetermined movable range.

Abstract: A torque-limiting coupling device including a cylindrical sleeve and a cylindrical shaft in radially tensioned frictional engagement for transferring torque up to a torque limit that corresponds to the radial tension and at which the sleeve begins to rotate relative to the shaft. The device also includes at least one pump mechanism which is adapted to be driven to pump liquid to the interface between co-acting surfaces of the sleeve and shaft upon relative rotation between the sleeve and the shaft. The shaft includes a surface layer that defines one of the co-acting surfaces and that is made of a material, e.g. tombak, whose plasticizing limit is lower than the plasticizing limit of the material in the co-acting surface of the sleeve. The surface layer may include cavities which enable the surface layer to take a smaller radial thickness after plasticization thereof.

Abstract: A disconnect device is provided in which input and output elements 2 and 4 axially overlap and are drivingly interconnected by balls 14 which extend from a recess the radially innermost element into a channel in the radially outermost element. The balls are held in position by a keeper 16 which is axially movable to release the balls and disconnect the drive.

Abstract: A drive disconnect device is provided in which input and output shafts are provided in splined engagement. The splines are aligned with the axes of the input and output shafts such that the force acting between the shafts in a separating direction is substantially invariant of the torque being transmitted. The shafts are spring biased to a disengaged position. The biasing force is resisted by a meltable restraining element which is arranged to melt when the temperature exceeds an acceptable value so as to allow the spring to cause the shafts to disengage from one another.

Abstract: A disconnect device is provided in which input and output elements 2 and 4 axially overlap and are drivingly interconnected by balls 14 which extend from a recess the radially innermost element into a channel in the radially outermost element. The balls are held in position by a keeper 16 which is axially movable to release the balls and disconnect the drive.

Abstract: A self-actuating thermal disconnect disengages two coaxially aligned shafts if equipment driven by one of the shafts overheats. The disconnect uses the centrifugal force of a molten material as the principal actuation. The disconnect end of a drive shaft has a means for transmitting torque. A disconnect piston having first and second ends is axially movable in a splined cylinder within the driven shaft. In normal operation, a solid mass of fusible material is disposed in the disconnect piston within a cavity defined by the second end of the disconnect piston and an adjacent end of a cavity piston. A means for transmitting torque at the-first end of the disconnect piston couples with the means for transmitting torque at the first end of the drive shaft. If the driven equipment overheats, the molten fusible material bursts out under centrifugal force through the channels.

Abstract: A drive disconnect device is provided in which input and output shafts are provided in splined engagement. The splines are aligned with the axes of the input and output shafts such that the force acting between the shafts in a separating direction is substantially invariant of the torque being transmitted. The shafts are spring biased to a disengaged position. The biasing force is resisted by a meltable restraining element which is arranged to melt when the temperature exceeds an acceptable value so as to allow the spring to cause the shafts to disengage from one another.

Abstract: A compressor mounted on a vehicle is disclosed. The compressor includes an apparatus for transmitting rotational power from an engine to drive shaft of the compressor via a pulley. The apparatus has a spring coupled to one of the pulley and the drive shaft. A deformable ring is coupled to the other one of the pulley and the drive shaft. The deformable ring is deformed by heat. The spring and the deformable ring are being held in abutment against each other by the force of the spring so as to transmit the rotational power to each other. A contact ring is interposed between the spring and the deformable ring. The contact ring has a rigidity larger than that of the deformable ring. The spring and the contact ring frictionally contact one another to generate the heat that deform the deformable ring when load generated in the drive shaft is in excess of a predetermined value.

Abstract: Dispersion of eutectic material (56) in a thermal disconnect coupling following thermal actuation is avoided by disposing the body (56) of eutectic material in a first axially opening cavity (40) in a driven shaft (24) having teeth (32) normally meshed with teeth (22) on a driving shaft (16). The first cavity (40) is closed by a wall (50) forming part of an output shaft (26) and the interface of the cavity (40) and the wall (50) is provided with seals (92, 94). The first cavity (40) is separated from a second cavity (42) in the driven shaft (24) by a perforated web (44, 46) and together with an element (60) supported by the output shaft (26) defines second chamber into which the body (56) may flow upon thermal actuation. The interface of the element (60) and the second cavity (42) is provided with seals (92, 94) to prevent the escape of eutectic material from the second chamber.

Abstract: A coupling for use in a transmission system and between coaxial rotary members which are arranged for driving engagement through axially engaging teeth thereon, one of said members being connected, directly or indirectly by helical splines to a further part such that in normal rotation, the said one member has a force exerted upon it tending to separate the teeth, such force being resisted by a fusible element which will melt when temperature rises above a predetermined value, melting of said element permitting axial movement of said one member relatively to said further part, through the splines to permit disengagement of the teeth, bearings supporting said further part, being substantially free from axial loading and spring means being provided for preventing re-engagement of the teeth after the element has melted.

Abstract: An armature of an electromagnetic clutch is connected to a mounting plate which is coupled to the toothed driven hub of the clutch through the intermediary of an elastomeric spider. If the spider is melted by heat, the mounting plate wedges against the tips of the teeth of the hub and is prevented from flying axially off of the forward end of the hub.

Abstract: A coupling for use in a transmission system and between rotary members which are arranged for driving engagement through axially engaging teeth thereon, the teeth being shaped to tend to disengage when normally driving in one direction, one of said members having two components connected by helical splines, the components being prevented from moving axially to disengage the teeth by a fusible element which will melt when temperature rises above a predetermined value, melting of said element permitting movement of the components axially to disengage the teeth and the helical splines permitting axial relative movement between the two components, when reverse rotation is taking place, to permit ratcheting of the teeth.