Torque Transmitted Via Frangible Element Patents (Class 464/32)
  • Publication number: 20090035169
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transmitting torque in a way that can prolong the life of such apparatuses by using dissimilar materials for a body region and a torque transmitting region that absorbs the wear of the apparatuses, the apparatuses being constructed by methods of powder metallurgy. A torque transmitting apparatus can be provided and can include an annular body member composed of a first material and an outer ring member composed of a second powder metal material. The outer ring member can shrink about the annular body member during a sintering phase to form a single body in which the outer ring member can be fixedly attached to the annular body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Wayne Vaughn, Andrew Joseph McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7452281
    Abstract: A plate (13(e)), the outer diameter side of which is fixed to be integral with a plate section (13c), and which is provided with an engagement part (13g) to be engaged with a shoulder (13f) formed on the inner diameter side of a boss section (13a), is integral with a center hub (13). Thereby, even if a bridge section (13d) is broken and the plate section (3c) moves in the detachment direction of the center hub (13), the engagement part (13g) of the plate (13e) is engaged with the shoulder (13f) of the boss section (13a), whereby the plate section (13c) and the boss section (13a) are engaged and coupled with each other while interrupting the torque transmission. Accordingly, even if the bridge section (13d) is broken, the boss section (13a) as well as the plate section (13c) side are prevented from being detached from a pulley (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Michiyasu Nosaka, Kiyoshi Kurohata
  • Patent number: 7393281
    Abstract: In the power transmission device having a torque limiting function for shutting off the transmission of an excessively high torque between the pulley 1 and the rotary shaft 5, the hub 2 and the rotary shaft 5 are connected to each other by means of screw engagement between the female screw portion 2d, which is formed on the inner circumferential face of the hub 2, and the male screw portion 5d which is formed on the outer circumferential face of the forward end portion 5a of the rotary shaft 5, and the seal means 4 for sealing between the hub and the rotary shaft is provided adjacent to the front face or the front and rear faces of the screw engaging portion. The torque limiting function may be provided on the rotary shaft side or the hub side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: DESNO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiyasu Nosaka, Yasuo Tabuchi, Motohiko Ueda, Yoshiki Tada
  • Patent number: 7338379
    Abstract: An inner tubular wall is concentrically located inside an outer tubular wall to form an annular space therebetween. A bearing is retained within the annular space. The bearing can include a pair of precision angular contact bearings, the bearing may also include an axial sleeve bearing. A frangible element such as an annular shear groove is associated with one of the outer tubular wall and the inner tubular wall. Separation occurs at the frangible element and the bearing supports the inner tubular wall member and the outer tubular wall member for rotation relative to each other upon the coupling assembly experiencing a shear event. In addition, the angular contact bearings may reduce any bending moments that might otherwise impact upon the frangible element during normal operation. The frangible element may be treated, for example, by shot-peening or coating to reduce deterioration of the frangible element during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Power Transmission Manufacturing L.P.
    Inventors: Jon R. Mancuso, Joseph P. Corcoran, Tara H. Howland
  • Publication number: 20080015033
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises a coupling for connecting a shaft 50 to a driving element 14 mounted for rotation about the shaft 50. The coupling provides a torque path between the shaft 50 and the driving element 14 which passes through both a lost motion connection (52,54,58) and a shear bolt (60,62).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Adrianus Naaktgeboren
  • Patent number: 7303477
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a clutchless compressor, in which, when a torque above a preset value is generated in the compressor during power transmission from an engine to the compressor, a breaking member connecting a pulley side with a hub side is broken and also the breaking member is released from the structure, thereby preventing a failure of engine belt and unnecessary noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventor: Eungi Son
  • Patent number: 7296670
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Goodrich Control Systems Limited
    Inventors: Darren Christopher Howard, Dennis Richard Hayward, Rodney Stuart Howard
  • Patent number: 7156743
    Abstract: An inexpensive mechanical fuse having a high fatigue limit ratio and high rupture reliability, and superior in forming performance, and a method of manufacturing the same are presented. The mechanical fuse is composed of Fe-based sintered alloy, and comprises an inner rim 2 fixed to one power transmission shaft, an outer rim 3 fixed to the other power transmission shaft, and plural arms 4 for linking the inner rim 2 and outer rim 3, which are formed integrally. The arms 4 include rupture portions 6 which are ruptured when exposed to an overload torque. By treating in steam, an iron oxide phase is formed in the surface layer and pore inner wall. The iron oxide phase is effective to form round pores and lower the notch sensitivity. As a result, the fatigue strength and fatigue limit ratio are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi Powdered Metals Co., Ltd., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadayuki Tsutsui, Kei Ishii, Yoshihiro Tanimura, Kouji Yamada, Yuuichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 7080631
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a camshaft, an eccentric cam, a cam ring, a housing and plungers. The camshaft is rotated by an engine. The cam is provided separately from the camshaft and is formed with a connecting portion connected with the main shaft. The cam rotates with the camshaft. The cam ring revolves around the camshaft so that the cam ring rotates with respect to the cam along an outer periphery of the cam. The housing rotatably houses the cam and the cam ring and is formed with fuel pressurizing chambers. The plungers reciprocate in accordance with the revolution of the cam ring to pressurize and to pressure-feed fuel drawn into the fuel pressurizing chambers. Strength of the connecting portion is set to a value lower than damage strength of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiharu Hanyu
  • Patent number: 7066819
    Abstract: A coupling device has a pulley that receives rotational torque from an engine. The torque is transmitted to a shaft through a hub and a one-way clutch. A torque limiter is screwed on the shaft to fasten the inner ring of the one-way clutch onto the shaft. The torque limiter has a breakable portion. The torque is directly transmitted from the inner ring to the shaft when the torque is normal. If the torque exceeds the tightening torque of the torque limiter, the inner ring begins to slide and rotate, and drives the torque limiter in a tightening direction. As the torque limiter is tightened additionally, the tensile stress on the breakable portion is increased. Then, the breakable portion breaks and is separated in axial direction so that the coupling device disconnects torque transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Motohiko Ueda, Yasuo Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 7040989
    Abstract: A power transmission device which interrupts torque transmission when the torque exceeds a predetermined torque. A torque limiter includes projections formed on a center hub and a pulley. The center hub includes bridges that transmit torque by a pulling force. When a preset torque limit is reached, the projections on the center hub make contact with and move along slanted faces so as to move the center hub in an axial direction relative to the pulley. The bridges are thereby subjected to a bending moment in addition to the pulling force when the torque exceeds the preset torque level, so that the bridges break precisely above the preset torque level due to the reduced fatigue limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Michiyasu Nosaka, Kiyoshi Kurohata
  • Patent number: 7025680
    Abstract: A torque transmission device includes a pulley, a cylindrical member, a torque limiter and a weight member. The pulley is rotated by torque transmitted from a drive source. The cylindrical member is connected to a rotatable shaft of a compressor and is rotated integrally with the rotatable shaft. The torque limiter is arranged between the pulley and the cylindrical member and transmits the torque from the pulley to the cylindrical member. The torque limiter disables the transmission of the torque when the torque becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The weight member is secured to the cylindrical member at a point closer to the rotatable shaft than the torque limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Naoto Agata, Hiroyasu Sakamoto, Junichi Ohguchi
  • Patent number: 7014564
    Abstract: When the connecting rod 10 made of material of high strength, the mechanical strength of which is higher than that of the inner hub 22, is incorporated into between the cylindrical boss portion 31 of the inner hub 22 and the compressor shaft 2, an outer diameter of the compressor shaft 2 can be made to be smaller than that of the conventional fastening profile. Even when the outer diameter of the compressor shaft 2 is reduced, it is possible to solve the problem of lack of the mechanical strength of the inner circumferential screw portion 35, 44 and the outer circumferential screw portion 43, 3 with respect to the axial fastening force given to the inner circumferential screw portion 35, 44 and the outer circumferential screw portion 43, 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6918835
    Abstract: Two-step protruding portions are provided in a cover of a pulley for hooking the cover on the pulley. When a bridging part is broken, a driving-unit-side portion of the bridging part is outwardly displaced in a rotation axis direction of the pulley. The first-step protruding portion of the cover thereby slips out from a hooking state. However, after the driving-unit-side portion mounts on the driven-unit-side portion, no further force acts outwardly in the rotation axis direction. As a result, the second-step protruding portion of the cover is hooked on the pulley, so that the cover can be fixed to the pulley. This results in inhibiting broken bridging parts or dampers from dispersing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuichi Aoki, Yasuo Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 6913538
    Abstract: In a torque transmission system, plural engagement pieces elastically deformable are formed integrally with an outer peripheral portion of a circular portion of a center hub to be engaged with an inner periphery portion of a pulley. A bridge portion of the center hub is disposed to be broken when a torque large than a predetermined torque is applied there to. Since the engagement protrusion pieces are engaged with a part of the pulley, it can prevent the center hub from being removed and falling when the bridge portion of the center hub is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Kiyoshi Kurohata, Koichi Hashinaga, Dieter Kuhn, Volker Friedrich, Thomas Rauth
  • Patent number: 6802779
    Abstract: A hole is formed in a damper rubber, where by when a compressive load is small, pillar portions undergo a flexural deformation so as to result in buckling deformation. On the other hand, when the compressive load becomes large, the hole collapses and the damper rubber undergoes a compressive deformation so as to collapse itself. Thus, since the damper rubber has a non-linear characteristic such that an elastic modulus thereof at an amount of deformation exceeding a predetermined amount is larger than that at an amount of deformation less than the predetermined amount, the transmission of a large torque can be implemented while absorbing a torque fluctuation sufficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Junichi Ohguchi, Makoto Ito, Manabu Saiki, Kiyoshi Kurohata
  • Publication number: 20040166944
    Abstract: The screw engagement portion (10) between the pulley (9) (the boss (9g)) and the shaft (1a) is provided with a thread in a direction to increase the tightening torque when the pulley (9) is driven. A breakable part (1i) which is broken by the axial tension produced in accordance with the tightening, when the tightening torque acting on the screw engagement portion (10) is above a predetermined value, is also provided. With this structure, the stress to break the breakable part (1i) is not a shearing stress but is mainly a tensile stress. Unlike the shearing stress, the tensile stress is substantially uniformly distributed in a cross section and, hence, the stress distribution of the breakable part (1i) can be relatively precisely predicted and analyzed. Consequently, the necessity of determining the dimension and the material, etc. of the breakable part (1i) by trial and error is reduced, thus leading to facilitation of the design and development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Michiyasu Nosaka, Shozo Tatematsu, Motohiko Ueda, Koichi Hashinaga
  • Publication number: 20040137989
    Abstract: When the connecting rod 10 made of material of high strength, the mechanical strength of which is higher than that of the inner hub 22, is incorporated into between the cylindrical boss portion 31 of the inner hub 22 and the compressor shaft 2, an outer diameter of the compressor shaft 2 can be made to be smaller than that of the conventional fastening profile. Even when the outer diameter of the compressor shaft 2 is reduced, it is possible to solve the problem of lack of the mechanical strength of the inner circumferential screw portion 35, 44 and the outer circumferential screw portion 43, 3 with respect to the axial fastening force given to the inner circumferential screw portion 35, 44 and the outer circumferential screw portion 43, 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20040082390
    Abstract: When a first damper contacts both of a protruding portion of a pulley body and a protruding portion of a center hub, a second damper is disposed as being apart from the protruding portion of the center hub with a gap. Even when the pulley body is rotated in a reverse direction, no reverse torque is thereby transmitted to the center hub as long as the gap exists, or before the second damper contacts the protruding portion of the center hub. As a result, torque fluctuation is sufficiently absorbed. This prevents the following: a reverse torque is transmitted to the center hub; a torque limiter wrongly acts; a fastening part between a shaft and the center hub loosens; or abnormal noise or aversive vibration takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Michiyasu Nosaka, Kiyoshi Kurohata
  • Patent number: 6718745
    Abstract: A disc cutterbar having a mounting hub supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with a reversible shearable spline area engaged with a drive shaft to form a shear device therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Adams
  • Publication number: 20040063504
    Abstract: The tension decoupler devices comprises:
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Gael Bouchy, Pascal Vasseur
  • Publication number: 20040063503
    Abstract: Two-step protruding portions are provided in a cover of a pulley for hooking the cover on the pulley. When a bridging part is broken, a driving-unit-side portion of the bridging part is outwardly displaced in a rotation axis direction of the pulley. The first-step protruding portion of the cover thereby slips out from a hooking state. However, after the driving-unit-side portion mounts on the driven-unit-side portion, no further force acts outwardly in the rotation axis direction. As a result, the second-step protruding portion of the cover is hooked on the pulley, so that the cover can be fixed to the pulley. This results in inhibiting broken bridging parts or dampers from dispersing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yuuichi Aoki, Yasuo Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 6695909
    Abstract: An improved freeze/thaw characteristic is achieved in concrete by substituting crumb rubber for entrained air. The percent by volume of entrained air for concrete prescribed for a given set of freeze/thaw conditions is first determined then a predetermined quantity of crumb rubber is introduced into the mix in dependence on the percent of air entrained in the prescribed air entrained concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventor: Han Zhu
  • Publication number: 20040009818
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a pulley connected to a driving source and receiving a rotational force, at least one damper installed on the pulley, and a cover plate including a hub connecting the pulley and a compressor, a fixed plate coupled to an upper surface of the hub, and a plurality of deformation members independently installed on an outer circumferential surface of the fixed plate, wherein, when an overload is applied to the compressor, the deformation members are deformed and a coupling relationship with the damper is released so that power transmission from the driving source is cut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Eun Gi Son
  • Publication number: 20030211893
    Abstract: A compressor provided with a torque limiter constructed such that, in view of possible occurrence of accidental locking of the compressor, in the case where a one-way clutch is used in place of an electromagnetic clutch in order to permit a refrigerant compressor for a vehicle air-conditioning system to be driven by an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine, when an excessive torque is to be transmitted by the one-way clutch, rollers ride over wedge surfaces and fall into pocket sections, or sprags are reversed to roll-over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Motohiko Ueda, Yasuo Tabuchi, Minoru Mera, Taku Adaniya, Tomoharu Arai
  • Patent number: 6609980
    Abstract: In a flexible joint having a first rotating body connected to a shaft of an engine, a second rotating body coaxially connected to the first rotating body via a first rubber damper, and a third rotating body whose outer circumference is coaxially coupled with the second rotating body via a second rubber damper and whose center axis is coaxially connected to a shaft of a compressor, the second rotating body is rotatably held by a front housing of the compressor. Accordingly, eccentric load acting on the joint according to the rotation thereof is received by the housing of the compressor so that the shaft of the compressor receives lower bending moment. Further, as the first and second rubber dampers are used, a composite elastic coefficient thereof is smaller so that torque fluctuation applied to the joint is adequately absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Masao Nakano, Junichi Ohguchi, Kiyomi Okuda, Manabu Saiki
  • Publication number: 20030130044
    Abstract: A torque limiter is placed between a first rotary body and a second rotary body in a power transmission path. The torque limiter has a breaking portion, a flange connected to the first rotary body and a connecting portion protruding from the flange. The connecting portion is screwed to the second rotary body at a predetermined value of fastening torque. The torque is transmitted between the first rotary body and the second rotary body in a relative rotational direction of fastening the connecting portion to the second rotary body. A portion of the flange belongs to the first rotary body after the breaking portion of the flange is broken. The portion of the flange forms a regulating surface for fastening the connecting portion to the second rotary body. The fastening torque is regulated by a contact on the regulating surface between the flange and the second rotary body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Akinobu Kanai, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Masaki Ota, Taku Adaniya, Takeshi Kawata, Takahiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020198056
    Abstract: In a torque transmission system, plural engagement pieces elastically deformable are formed integrally with an outer peripheral portion of a circular portion of a center hub to be engaged with an inner periphery portion of a pulley. A bridge portion of the center hub is disposed to be broken when a torque large than a predetermined torque is applied there to. Since the engagement protrusion pieces are engaged with a part of the pulley, it can prevent the center hub from being removed and falling when the bridge portion of the center hub is broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Kiyoshi Kurohata, Koichi Hashinaga, Dieter Kuhn, Volker Friedrich, Thomas Rauth
  • Patent number: 6439078
    Abstract: An overload protection device for a manual hoist lever including a pressure hub, an outer hub, a brake nut, and a dowel pin. The pressure hub includes a radially extending flange and a cantilevered boss having a threaded outer surface with an axial groove. The outer hub includes a central opening, a tapered inner surface, and a flange contact surface which frictionally contacts the radially extending flange of the pressure hub. The brake nut is disposed in the central opening of the outer hub between the outer hub and the boss of the pressure hub, and includes a frusto-conical outer surface that frictionally contacts the tapered inner surface of the outer hub, as well as a threaded inner opening with a corresponding axial groove, the threaded inner opening being sized to threadingly engage the boss. The dowel pin is received within a receiving hole formed upon alignment of the axial groove of the boss and the corresponding axial groove of the brake nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: FKI Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Schlude, Daniel L. DeMarco
  • Publication number: 20020092146
    Abstract: An inexpensive mechanical fuse having a high fatigue limit ratio and high rupture reliability, and superior in forming performance, and a method of manufacturing the same are presented. The mechanical fuse is composed of Fe-based sintered alloy, and comprises an inner rim 2 fixed to one power transmission shaft, an outer rim 3 fixed to the other power transmission shaft, and plural arms 4 for linking the inner rim 2 and outer rim 3, which are formed integrally. The arms 4 include rupture portions 6 which are ruptured when exposed to an overload torque. By treating in steam, an iron oxide phase is formed in the surface layer and pore inner wall. The iron oxide phase is effective to form round pores and lower the notch sensitivity. As a result, the fatigue strength and fatigue limit ratio are enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi Powdered Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayuki Tsutsui, Kei Ishii, Yoshihiro Tanimura, Kouji Yamada, Yuuichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 6419585
    Abstract: An interruptible power transmission mechanism couples a drive source to a compressor. The power transmission mechanism has a pulley, which rotates in synchronism with the drive source, and a receiving member, which rotates in synchronism with the compressor. A limit spring couples the pulley and the receiving member such that they rotate together. When the load torque of the compressor exceeds a predetermined value, the diameter of the limit spring is decreased so that the limit spring engages a rib provided on the receiving member. Then, the deformation of the limit spring in the radial direction is locally restricted, causing stress at a specific portion of the limit spring to increase rapidly. As a result, the limit spring is reliably broken at a torque near the desired load torque, thus interrupting power in a desirable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kazuya Kimura
  • Patent number: 6389917
    Abstract: A safety device for a gear unit driven by a drive mechanism has a rated breaking point. A silent ratchet is also provided, with which a gear part on the power takeoff side that is severed upon a separation of the rated breaking point can be firmly clamped with a silent ratchet. The safety device can be used in devices, driven by an electric motor, for adjusting vehicle seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Oberle
  • Patent number: 6358152
    Abstract: The medical/technical tool holder apparatus (2) with torque limitation comprises a receiver (5) for at least one shear body (7) and a shearing means (10a) which is rotatably connected to the receiver (5) and which is arranged in such a manner with respect to a shear body (7) located in the receiver (5) that the shearing means (10a) contacts the shear body (7) as soon as a torque acts on the shearing means (10a), with the shearing means (10a) and the shear body (7) being mutually matched and arranged in such a manner that the shearing means (10a) at least partly severs the shear body (7) when a specific torque is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Sulzer Orthopedics Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Casutt
  • Patent number: 6332842
    Abstract: A torque limiting mechanism includes an axial space formed in a cylindrical wall of a pulley, and a pin protruding and extending from a back surface of a discharge disc. The pin is inserted into the axial space, and a rubber damper is installed between the inner surface of the axial space and the pin. When torque difference between the pulley and the discharge disc exceeds a threshold, a root portion of the pin is broken to separate the discharge disc from the pulley, thereby interrupting rotation transmission from the pulley to the discharge disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Toshihiro Hayashi, Yuuichi Aoki, Manabu Saiki, Junichi Ohguchi, Takuo Sakai
  • Publication number: 20010027133
    Abstract: A torque limiting mechanism for transmitting power of an external drive source to the drive shaft of a compressor. A coupler member is a spring frame that can be engaged with and disengaged from first and second engaging portions. When the spring frame is engaged with the engaging portions, power is transmitted from a pulley to a hub. When the load on the hub is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the engaging state between the engaging portions and the spring frame changes such that power transmission is discontinued. Thereafter, part of the first and second engaging portions is destroyed such that the spring frame rotates relative to the engaging portions without interfering with the engaging portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Toshihisa Shimo, Takeshi Kawata, Akifumi Uryu
  • Patent number: 6231012
    Abstract: Referring to FIG. 2, disclosed is an aircraft compound no-back/offset gearbox (2) with an integral load proportional safety (no-back) brake (50). The four gears are all 16 diametral pitch, involute external spur gears with 20 degree standard pressure angles. The two gear stages are interconnected with a mechanical fuse or shearout (40) designed to fail under excess shear loads and protect components downstream of the input shaft (10) from excess torque in the event of a system jam. The shearout (40) is essentially a quill shaft with external splines at both ends and an hourglass-shaped shear neckdown in the middle. The purpose of the no-back brake (50) is to prevent air loads from causing slat movement in the event of a torque tube disconnect. Referring to Figure, the no-back consists of a set of ball ramp (22) and brake plate components connected to the gearbox's output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Michael J. Cacciola, Mark J. Gardner, Stephen T. Steadman
  • Patent number: 6126549
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement for coupling a driving unit (1) to a driven unit (2) includes a combination of a shear coupling (7) which acts between the units and which fails immediately an overload occurs, and a brake coupling (13) which is adapted to become active between the units (1, 2) when the shear coupling (7) fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Safeset AB
    Inventors: Bo Appell, Curt Falk
  • Patent number: 6080065
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an elastomeric coupling for transmitting torque between two shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis, the coupling comprising a composite arcuately extending member including a shoe having a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion and adapted to be connected to one of the shafts, and an elastomeric center element having, in a radial plane extending from and along the shaft axis, an inwardly opening generally U-shaped cross-section defined by two axially spaced radially extending leg portions respectively including an inner part bonded to the first portion of the shoe, and an outer part, and an axially extending bridge portion connected to the outer parts and including a weakened area which is located remotely from the shaft axis and which facilitates tearing of the bridge portion at the area in response to excessive transmission of force as compared to tearing of the bridge portion at other areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Rexnord Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Hindman, Randal S. Abbrederis, Edward J. Ward, Edward W. McCullough, John D. Smihal
  • Patent number: 6068452
    Abstract: A torque limiting apparatus is located between a power source and a driven apparatus. A number of breakable power transmission members connect a drive rotor to a driven rotor. The breakable members are fractured to disconnect the driven rotor from the drive rotor when the load applied by the driven apparatus exceeds a predetermined value. A promoting member is located near at least one of the power transmission members for promoting breakage when the load causes the driven rotor to rotate relative to the drive rotor. The breakable members are broken consecutively. The breakable members are not significantly affected by fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masahiko Okada, Takashi Ban, Nobuaki Hoshino, Takanori Okabe
  • Patent number: 6059085
    Abstract: A decoupling apparatus for disconnecting an engine starter from an engine includes a first rotatable decoupler shaft, having a first clutch jaw, coaxially mounted with respect to a second rotatable decoupler shaft having a second clutch jaw. The two shafts can translate relative to each other from a first position in which the first and second clutch jaws are engaged to a second position in which the jaws are disengaged. A torsional shear pin with a unitary shaft has a first end in contact with a resilient member and a second end attached to the first decoupler shaft, thereby urging the first and second decoupler shafts into the first position. The torsional shear pin is frangible in response to angular movement of the first decoupler shaft relative to the second decoupler shaft to release the axially compressive force, thereby permitting the first and second decoupler shafts to move into the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Gary A. Farnsworth
  • Patent number: 5873784
    Abstract: A mechanical safety breaker for disengaging a mechanical connection between two mechanical members at a time when a force transmitted through the connection of the two members exceeds a predetermined value is provided by employing an overload breaker element made of a ceramic. A ceramic breaker element provides a long time stabilized fracture performance particularly when the load applied thereto is of a repetitive nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Iwasaki, Hiroaki Tanaka, Akira Hasegawa, Kazunori Kagawa, Takuya Kondo
  • Patent number: 5826991
    Abstract: A printer apparatus (10) includes a removable print ribbon cartridge (18). The print cartridge includes a ribbon (20) which is movable by a transmission mechanism (49). A ribbon drive member (65) in said transmission mechanism includes frangible tabs (101). The frangible tabs break responsive to encountering a resistance to movement of said ribbon. The frangible tabs limit the force that may be encountered by a motor (168) used to advance the ribbon thereby preventing damage to the motor and associated drive components and circuitry in the event of a malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: InterBold
    Inventors: Tuyen Van Pham, Thomas S. Mason
  • Patent number: 5800137
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes a drive shaft, a pulley fixedly fitted on the drive shaft, over which is passed a torque-transmitting member for transmitting torque from an external drive source to the drive shaft, and a compression rotational member mounted on the drive shaft for rotation in unison with the drive shaft to enable compression of a refrigerant gas. The pulley has a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder, over which is passed the torque-transmitting member, a boss which is fixedly fitted on the drive shaft, and a support member connecting the rim and the boss. A breakaway portion is provided in the support member or the drive shaft for breaking to disconnect the torque-transmitting member from the compression rotational member when a load torque larger than a predetermined value is applied to the breakaway portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Eitai, Minoru Kanaizuka, Hiroyuki Ishida, Shuzo Kumagai, Tadashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5738448
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ribbon cassette for use with a printer, including a cassette case detachably mounted in the printer and an ink ribbon stored in the cassette case and partially exposed to face a print head provided in the printer. The ribbon cassette further includes a ribbon take-up member rotatably supported in the cassette case, a driven member rotatably supported in the cassette case and meshing with the ribbon take-up member through the ink ribbon, and a power transmitting member provided in the ribbon take-up member to connect the ribbon take-up member to a ribbon driving shaft provided in the printer. A breaking strength of the power transmitting member against a load from the ink ribbon is set smaller than that of the ribbon driving shaft. Accordingly, in the event that ribbon jam occurs, the power transmitting member breaks to thereby prevent fracture of the ribbon driving shaft in the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tec
    Inventors: Kozo Hara, Hajime Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5718131
    Abstract: A steering column locking assembly and method of making same includes swaging a steering column tube and a steering column lock collar in such a manner that relative movement between the two parts is resisted below a predetermined level of torque while relative rotation occurs at values of torque above the predetermined value. A layer of plastics material may be provided between the two parts. Once the predetermined torque is overcome, then rotation between the two parts occurs, but ceases once the torque level drops below the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: John Thomas Bobbitt, III
  • Patent number: 5715662
    Abstract: Each knife-carrying disk of a rotary cutterbar has a hub connected to a drive shaft through means of a shear device. In a first embodiment of the invention, the shear device is in the form of either a collar or a clamping member having internal splines received on a splined upper end of the drive shaft and having shearable cylindrical drive lugs engaged with complementary shaped openings provided in an upper surface of the disk hub. In another embodiment of the invention, the shear device is in the form of a ring-like shear insert having shearable inner splines received on the splined upper end of the drive shaft and having outer splines engaged with a splined mounting hole of the disk hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James C. Walters
  • Patent number: 5658087
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for releasably fixing an externally splined power take-off shaft to an output shaft of off-highway equipment such as a tractor. The output shaft has a hollow, internally splined hub portion adapted to axially receive the externally splined power take-off shaft to prevent relative rotational movement between the power take-off and output shafts. The locking mechanism includes a locking member supported within a radial opening in the power-take off shaft so as to be radially movable between an outer locking position and an inner unlocking position. In the outer locking position, the locking member is engageable with a recess formed in the hub portion of the output shaft to prevent relative axial movement between the power take-off shaft and the output shaft. In the inner unlocking position, the locking member is disengaged from the recess in the output shaft to permit such relative axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: George M. Butkovich, Marvin A. Prickel, George R. Vater, Kenneth Clayburn
  • Patent number: 5618123
    Abstract: The coupling device for coupling a cable of a sewer and drain cleaning machine to a cutting tool comprises a housing, a cable connecting mechanism for connecting the cable to the housing, a cutting tool connecting mechanism for rotatably connecting the cutting tool to the housing, and a breakable drive mechanism for driving the cutting tool when the cable and the housing are rotated and breaking when a predetermined amount of torque is applied between the housing and the cutting tool, the predetermined amount of torque being less than the amount of torque needed to break the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Pettibone Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Pulse
  • 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: 5186079
    Abstract: A torque fuse for a vehicle driveline has a sleeve splined at one end to the vehicle power transmission output shaft with the other end clip-splined to the driveshaft yoke. An intermediate pre-weakened frangible area of the sleeve is designed to rupture at a torque level less than the critical torque level of the driveshaft. A washer swaged into the sleeve enables the sleeve to be bolted to the end of the transmission output shaft. An auxiliary tailstick bolted to the transmission case has an auxiliary bearing to support transverse loads on the sleeve at the yoke end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Gee