Centrifugally Controlled Clutch Or Brake Patents (Class 475/258)
  • Patent number: 9714658
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor, the capacity of which can be increased with keeping the diameter of the impeller at minimum, is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes: a drive gear (11); a drive shaft (3) protruding from one side of the drive gear (11) in a central axis direction of the drive gear (11); a no. 1 driven pinion gear (12) configured for rotation of the drive gear (11) to be transmitted thereto; a no. 1 driven pinion shaft (5) protruding from both sides of the no. 1 driven pinion gear (12) in a central axis direction of the no. 1 driven pinion gear (12); and a couple of first stage compressor sections (7a, 7b), each of which is provided in each end of the no. 1 driven pinion shaft (5) and is configured to compress fluid by rotation of the no. 1 driven pinion shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyata, Naoto Yonemura
  • Patent number: 9068396
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a locking clutch that includes a collection of movable locking blocks slidably coupled to the rotatable output shaft. The movable locking blocks slide radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the rotatable output shaft, and are spaced apart circumferentially about the rotatable output shaft, with each movable locking block having a first contacting face and a second contacting face. A collection of fixed locking blocks are coupled to the rotatable housing, and are positioned radially around the output shaft and spaced apart circumferentially about the interior of the rotatable housing a distance sufficient to receive one of the movable locking blocks when it moves inwardly toward the central axis of the rotatable output shaft, each said fixed locking block having a first contacting face and a second contacting face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ankit Purohit, Anand Bhagwat Kedare, Mukesh Bhaskar Kshirsagar, Sandip Satish Sonar
  • Patent number: 9062755
    Abstract: A transmission planetary gear assembly, having: a carrier housing with axial orifice; a pinion shaft fitted through the axial orifice; a first fastener configured to axially secure the pinion shaft with respect to the carrier housing at one end of the shaft; and a second fastener configured to axially secure the pinion shaft with respect to the carrier housing at another end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
  • Patent number: 8827861
    Abstract: A dynamic damper device includes a variable inertial mass device that variably controls inertial mass of a damper mass, an elastic body that connects a rotary shaft rotated by power transmitted thereto and an input member of the variable inertial mass device, and a variable damping force device that variably controls a damping force to the elastic body. Accordingly, the dynamic damper devices have the advantageous effect that vibrations can be appropriately reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyohito Murata
  • Patent number: 8776767
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger includes a first shaft supported for rotation within a clutch housing. A pulley is mounted on the first shaft. A clutch rotor is also mounted on the first shaft at a location that is axially spaced from the pulley. A clutch coil is supported within the clutch housing and positioned adjacent to a first face of the clutch rotor. A second shaft is supported for rotation relative to the first shaft and is coaxially aligned with the first shaft. A clutch armature is mounted on the second shaft and positioned adjacent to a second face of the clutch rotor. A supercharger system including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher W. Creager
  • Patent number: 8721487
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The straddle-type vehicle has a planetary gear mechanism having a ring gear rotatable with a crankshaft, a sun gear, and at least two planetary gears. The straddle-type vehicle also has a planetary carrier, a rotary shaft rotating with the sun gear, an output shaft rotating with the planetary carrier, and a CVT having a primary shaft rotatable with the rotary shaft. The straddle-type vehicle further has a primary pulley, a secondary shaft rotatable with the crankshaft, a secondary pulley, and a belt. The straddle-type vehicle additionally has an actuator configured to change a transmission gear ratio of the CVT. The crankshaft, the planetary gear mechanism, the rotary shaft, and the belt-type continuously variable transmission form a cyclic power transmission passage. A centrifugal clutch is disposed within the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yousuke Ishida, Toshinori Inomori
  • Patent number: 8464697
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger having a first shaft having a longitudinal axis; a pulley connected to the first shaft; a clutch rotor mounted connected to the first shaft; a clutch armature mounted to a second shaft and unconnected to the first shaft; and a clutch coil spaced along the longitudinal axis from the pulley. The clutch rotor rotates around the longitudinal axis. The clutch armature also rotates around the longitudinal axis. The design diameter of the pulley is entirely independent of the diameters of the clutch rotor, the clutch armature, and the clutch coil. A supercharger including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher W. Creager
  • Patent number: 8371980
    Abstract: A launch device includes a planetary gear set having a first member, a second member, and a third member. An input member and an output member are operatively connectable for rotation with different ones of the members of the planetary gear set. A centripetal clutch, referred to herein as a first centripetal clutch, operatively connects two of the members of the planetary gear set and is configured to transmit torque with a torque capacity that decreases as a difference between the speed of rotation of the output member and the speed of rotation of the input member decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Andrew W. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120100953
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission module is provided that can passively and automatically upshift and downshift between two speed ratios, even if the speed of the output member does not decrease. The transmission module includes a planetary gear set. A torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to connect the two members of the planetary gear set for common rotation. A centripetal member is configured to apply a first axial force urging engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism. The first axial force increases as the speed of the output member increases. A torque-to-thrust actuator, such as a ball screw actuator, is connected for rotation with the input member and is configured to apply a second axial force opposing engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Andrew W. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20120077636
    Abstract: A launch device includes a planetary gear set having a first member, a second member, and a third member. An input member and an output member are operatively connectable for rotation with different ones of the members of the planetary gear set. A centripetal clutch, referred to herein as a first centripetal clutch, operatively connects two of the members of the planetary gear set and is configured to transmit torque with a torque capacity that decreases as a difference between the speed of rotation of the output member and the speed of rotation of the input member decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8137231
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for an electric vehicle hub includes an external motor rotor fixedly connected with a motor shaft; a sun gear; at least three first planet gears; and at least three second planet gears coaxially fixed with the corresponding first planet gears and which are engaged with the sun gear. The first and the second planet gears are respectively engaged with first and second internal gears, and the second internal gear has a diameter greater than that of the first internal gear. The rotating disk is arranged between the first internal gear and the second internal gear, and a hub is fixed to exterior of the rotating disk. The automatic transmission further includes a clutch device, making the rotating disk and the first internal gear contact with each other for a transmission of slower rpm, and when the rpm reaches critical, at a high-speed rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fairly Bike Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiang-Yi Lin
  • Publication number: 20110015027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speed controller for a motor, which gives a normal rotation and constant speed output to an output cover when a driving shaft of the motor rotates in a normal direction and a normal rotation and speed-changed output to the output cover when the driving shaft of the motor rotates in a reverse direction, wherein when the restriction means are restricted to the driving shaft at constant speed and changed speed, at least one of the two restriction means is not restricted at any position, so that interference caused by a reverse input can be prevented although rotation is reversely input from the output cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Tae-Jin Jung, Hyuk Yoo
  • Patent number: 7229379
    Abstract: For a first gear ratio, the flyweights engage the clutch and thus connect the input to the sun wheel, whilst the ring gear is immobilised by the free wheel. For the second gear ratio, the flyweights push the ring gear against the axial thrust of the helical teeth in a direction causing the engagement of the clutch against the ring and thus, at the same time, the disengagement of the clutch. The thrust produced by the teeth on the ring gear decreases and transmission then occurs from the input to the ring gear, whilst the sun wheel is immobilised by its free wheel. The speed increases further, the flyweights rise further, compress the prestressed springs and push the ring in the direction of the engagement of the clutch, which produces direct drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Antonov Automotive Technologies
    Inventors: Roumen Antonov, Guillaume Dazin
  • Publication number: 20040152556
    Abstract: An automatic reduction-ratio changing apparatus comprises a planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear, planet gears, and an internal gear. When a load, which exceeds a predetermined torque, is applied to the internal gear, a pawl of a lock lever is engaged with a ratchet section of a housing to stop the rotation of the internal gear and lock the internal gear. When a displaceable member of an actuator is displaced from an outward route to a homeward route, the rotation of a motor is reversed, and an input shaft and a cam are rotated in a reverse direction to release from the locked state. Accordingly, the speed reduction ratio, which is transmitted from an output shaft to the actuator, is automatically switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Tomita, Motohiro Sotome
  • Patent number: 6093128
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench having a self-shifting transmission apparatus having a rotational drive and a rotational output spindle with a ratchet driven by the output spindle. A first transmission gear and an overrunning clutch are rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. A centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. The centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected to a shaft which rotates in the overrunning clutch such that upon the drive rotating at and above a predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch engages to rotate the output spindle while rotating the shaft to overrun within the overrunning clutch. Upon the drive rotating below the predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch disengages thereby permitting the overrunning clutch to engage the shaft and rotate the output spindle through the first transmission gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Warren A. Seith
  • Patent number: 5993346
    Abstract: The crown wheel of a planetary gear is connected to an input shaft while the planet carrier is connected to the output shaft. The sun wheel is locked by means of a free wheel when the clutch is released. The device then operates as a reduction gear. The sun wheel rotates with the crown wheel and the planer carrier when the clutch is engaged. The axial forces (F.sub.AP, F.sub.AC), sustained by the sun wheel and the crown wheel when in gear-reduction mode, and resulting from the helical tooth configuration, tend through the stop to compress a spring and release the clutch. When in direct drive and beyond a certain torque, the clutch slips, thereby generating the above-mentioned axial forces which compress the spring and accelerate disengaging. The device operates as a reduction gear until the torque on the shaft is reduced, thereby, enabling the spring to re-engage the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Antonov Automotive Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Roumen Antonov
  • Patent number: 5885180
    Abstract: A planet gear (9) connected to the input shaft (2a) and a planet carrier (13) connected to the output shaft (18) can be coupled by a clutch (18) operated in clamping by fly weights (29) and a spring (34) to bring about direct engagement. If clamping is insufficient for torque to be transmitted, the crown wheel (8) slows down and is then immobilized by the free wheel (16). The device then acts as a reduction gear, with a piston (44) acting on the housing (2) in the direction which will release the clutch (18) and applying a brake (43) preventing the crown wheel (8) from rotating even in the direction normally permitted by the free wheel (16). Narrow bleed ducts (151, 172) of a chamber (40) associated with a piston (44) and a damping chamber (171) prevent sudden variations in the state of the clutch (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Antonov Automotive Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Roumen Antonov
  • Patent number: 5733217
    Abstract: An centrifugal friction clutch for an automatic speed changing device to changeover speed change stage automatically in accordance with a change of rotational speed is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Naraki, Eiichiro Kawahara
  • Patent number: 5655984
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus in which a differential-type transmission device has rotating elements with intermeshing teeth, one of which elements is connected to an input shaft and the other to an output shaft. One of the rotating elements is a reaction element, and the transmission apparatus has a selective locking mechanism mounted operatively between the reaction element and a housing of the transmission apparatus. The selective locking mechanism has a free-wheel for enabling the reaction element to rotate in the same direction as the input shaft and the output shaft when a selective connection device connects the rotating elements of said differential mechanism in order to cause direct drive operation. When the freewheel is locked, the reaction element is integral in rotation with a rotor of a brake which is able to be selectively released in order to release the rotor and the reaction element in relation to said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Antonov Automotive Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Roumen Antonov
  • Patent number: 5645506
    Abstract: An infinitely variable ratio transmission is provided including coaxial first and second rotary shafts. A rotary carrier is journaled relative to the shafts and axially spaced first and second sun gears are mounted on the first and second shafts, respectively, for rotation therewith. The carrier includes sets of axially spaced first and second planet gears journaled therefrom and meshed with the first and second sun gears, respectively. Selectively operable first rotation inhibiting structure is provided operative to gradually inhibit rotation of the carrier and second selectively operable rotation inhibiting structure is provided operable to gradually inhibit orbiting of the first planet gears about the first sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Alexander E. Mleczko
  • Patent number: 5409428
    Abstract: The speed-responsive clutch has axle-free rocking flyweights which are rockingly mounted in correspondingly shaped recesses of a cage. The rocking movement of the flyweights corresponds to a substantially radial movement of the center of gravity of the flyweights and to a substantially axial movement of an actuator portion of the flyweights for variably pressing friction disks of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Antonov Automotive North America B.V.
    Inventor: Roumen Antonov
  • Patent number: 5364319
    Abstract: An arrangement with an epicyclic gearbox for driving two motor vehicle axles utilizes two inner central wheels with different numbers of teeth and engaging with a planet wheel. The inner central wheels are respectively in effective drive connection with one vehicle axle while the planet carrier of the planet wheel is connected to a centrifugal brake used as bursting protection for the epicyclic gear and a friction clutch effectively located between the planet carrier and a central wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Wolf Boll, Axel Fedeler
  • Patent number: 5263906
    Abstract: A multi-speed mechanical automatic transmission has two planetary gear trains, each including a sun gear, planet gears mounted in a planet carrier, and a ring gear. The first planetary gear train provides low gear and direct drive; the second train modifies low gear operation of the first train to provide an intermediate gear operation. The first sun gear is fixed to an input shaft, and the first planet carrier drives an output shaft. The second planet carrier is coupled to rotate the first ring gear in one direction, and free wheels or selectively actuated friction brakes prevent rotation of the first and second ring gears in the opposite direction. The first planetary train has helical gears, and a direct drive clutch selectively couples the first ring gear to the first planet carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Antonov Automotive North America B.V.
    Inventor: Roumen Antonov