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US 11,149,803 B1Granted
Mechanism and method to engage/disengage a sprag clutch using actuators
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsGilberto Morales, Carlos Alexander Fenny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sprag clutch has an inner race, an outer race, and a radial cavity between the races. A plurality of sprags are disposed in the radial cavity, and each sprag is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. A sprag cage retains each of the plurality of sprags at a uniform spacing within the radial cavity, and a plurality of actuators are positioned to exert or withdraw a force upon a corresponding sprag.
Claims14
A sprag clutch comprising:
- an inner race;
- an outer race;
- a radial cavity between the inner and outer races;
- a plurality of sprags disposed in the radial cavity between the inner and outer races, each sprag having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis oriented between the first end and the second end, each sprag being rotatable about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis;
- a sprag cage positioned to retain the sprags at a uniform spacing within the radial cavity;
- a plurality of actuators, each actuator positioned to exert or withdraw a force upon a corresponding sprag, each actuator being:
- a piezoelectric actuator;
- or
- a bimetallic actuator, wherein a heat exchange system associated with the clutch provides cooling or heating to the inner race, the plurality of sprags, and/or the outer race, wherein the heat exchange system is capable of subjecting the clutch to a temperature change for actuating each bimetallic actuator.
6 more elements
A method of engaging or disengaging a sprag clutch, the method comprising:
- inputting a rotation force to the clutch, the clutch further comprising:
- an inner race;
- an outer race;
- a radial cavity between the inner and outer races;
- a plurality of sprags disposed in the radial cavity between the inner and outer races, each sprag having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis oriented between the first end and the second end, each sprag being rotatable about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis;
- a sprag cage positioned to retain the sprags at a uniform spacing within the radial cavity;
- a plurality of actuators, each actuator being a piezoelectric actuator or bimetallic actuator and positioned to exert or withdraw a force upon a corresponding sprag;
- and
- actuating the plurality of actuators to engage or disengage the clutch by applying a voltage to actuate each piezoelectric actuator or subjecting the clutch to a temperature change to actuate each bimetallic actuator.
6 more elements
An aircraft, comprising:
- an engine operably coupled to a drivetrain for causing rotation thereof;
- a sprag clutch coupling the engine to the drivetrain, the sprag clutch further comprising:
- an inner race;
- an outer race;
- a radial cavity between the inner and outer races;
- a plurality of sprags disposed in the radial cavity between the inner and outer races, each sprag having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis oriented between the first end and the second end, wherein each sprag is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis;
- a sprag cage positioned to retain the sprags at a uniform spacing within the radial cavity;
- and
- a plurality of actuators, each actuator being positioned to exert or withdraw a force upon a corresponding sprag, each actuator being:
- a piezoelectric actuator;
- or
- a bimetallic actuator, wherein a heat exchange system associated with the clutch provides cooling or heating to the inner race, the plurality of sprags, and/or the outer race, wherein the heat exchange system is capable of subjecting the clutch to a temperature change for actuating each bimetallic actuator.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.