Torque transfer apparatus and methods of use
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorGareth Edward George Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A torque transfer apparatus and method of use is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of elements assembled together to form a ring structure oriented in a plane around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure defines a first engagement surface. A structure defining a second engagement surface is rotatable with respect to the ring structure. The ring structure is operable to be moved between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition by movement of the plurality of elements, and movement between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition engages or disengages the first and second engagement surfaces. The apparatus can be configured to transfer a driving torque (e.g. a clutch) or a braking force (e.g. a torque brake).
Claims25
A torque transfer apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of elements assembled together to form a ring structure oriented in a plane around a longitudinal axis and defining a first engagement surface;
- and
- a structure defining a second engagement surface, wherein the structure is rotatable with respect to the ring structure;
- wherein the ring structure is operable to be moved between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition radially from the longitudinal axis by movement of the plurality of elements on imparting or releasing an axial force,
- wherein, as part of moving between the collapsed and expanded conditions, adjacent elements slide along one another tangentially relative to a circle described around and concentric with the longitudinal axis, and
- wherein movement between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition engages or disengages the first and second engagement surfaces.
A torque transfer apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of elements assembled together to form a ring structure oriented in a plane around a longitudinal axis and defining a first engagement surface;
- a structure defining a second engagement surface, wherein the structure is rotatable with respect to the ring structure;
- wherein the first engagement surface is a cylindrical surface;
- and wherein the ring structure is operable to be moved between first and second conditions to engage or disengage the first and second engagement surfaces,
- wherein, as part of moving between the first and second conditions, adjacent elements of the ring structure slide along one another tangentially relative to a circle described around and concentric with the longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.