Synchronous engagement clutch
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsErik D. LeBeau, Weishun Ni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch assembly includes an output shaft extending along an axis and output teeth. A movable component is disposed adjacent to the output component. The movable component includes drive teeth and an annular engagement weight track including a groove circumscribing the axis. The movable component is movable between an engaged position, wherein the drive teeth are drivingly engaged with the output teeth, and a disengaged position, wherein the drive teeth are not engaged with the output teeth. An input component is disposed adjacent to the movable component. The input component includes engagement weight pockets. Spherical engagement weights are disposed in each engagement weight pocket. The groove has a generally uniform radial cross section across its circumference.
Claims18
A clutch assembly comprising:
- an output component including an output shaft extending along an axis and output teeth;
- a movable component disposed adjacent to the output component, the movable component including drive teeth and an annular engagement weight track including a groove circumscribing the axis, and movable between an engaged position, wherein the drive teeth are drivingly engaged with the output teeth, and a disengaged position, wherein the drive teeth are not engaged with the output teeth;
- and
- an input component disposed adjacent to the movable component, the input component including engagement weight pockets;
- and
- spherical engagement weights disposed in each engagement weight pocket;
- wherein
- the groove has a generally uniform radial cross section across its circumference, and the groove defines at least a quarter of a torus.
A clutch assembly comprising:
- an output component including an output shaft extending along an axis and output teeth;
- a movable component disposed adjacent to the output component, the movable component including drive teeth and an annular engagement weight track including a groove circumscribing the axis, and movable between an engaged position, wherein the drive teeth are drivingly engaged with the output teeth, and a disengaged position, wherein the drive teeth are not engaged with the output teeth;
- and
- an input component disposed adjacent to the movable component, the input component including engagement weight pockets;
- and
- spherical engagement weights disposed in each engagement weigh pocket;
- wherein
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced walls extend axially from the input component toward the movable component by a distance that is greater than or equal to a radius of the engagement weights, and the engagement weight pockets are defined between the walls;
- and
- wherein the groove defines at least a quarter of a torus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.