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US 11,486,457 B2Granted
Indicator for torque limiter
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsRadoslaw Szynkaruk, Dominik Gunia, Dariusz Kiełbowicz, Jonathan Darby
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is provided an indicator for a torque limiter, comprising one or more resilient members configured to move from an initial, compressed state during normal operation of the torque limiter, to a subsequent, expanded state upon tripping of the torque limiter, to provide a visual indication that the torque limiter has tripped.
Claims9
An indicator for a torque limiter, comprising:
- one or more resilient members configured to move from an initial, compressed state to a subsequent, expanded state to provide a visual indication that the torque limiter has tripped;
- wherein the one or more resilient members comprise one or more resilient tines connected at a first end to an outer surface of the indicator, such that the one or more resilient tines are compressible against or towards the outer surface of the indicator, and move from the compressed state to the expanded state in use by rotating about the connection at the first end.
A torque limiter comprising:
- an indicator that includes one or more resilient members configured to move from an initial, compressed state to a subsequent, expanded state to provide a visual indication that the torque limiter has tripped;
- a cavity retaining the indicator, wherein cavity extends from an outer surface of the torque limiter to an internal chamber of the torque limiter, and is sized such that the one or more resilient members are compressed into their initial, compressed state when the indicator is located in the cavity in use;
- and
- a movable component configured to move in a given direction if the torque experienced by the torque limiter in use exceeds a given or predetermined amount;
- wherein the movable component is arranged to contact the indicator such that the movement of the movable component pushes the indicator at least partially through the cavity, and at least some of the resilient members completely through the cavity, such that the resilient members pushed completely through the cavity move from the initial, compressed state within the cavity to the subsequent, expanded state outside of the cavity and provide the visual indication that the torque limiter has tripped;
- and
- wherein:
- the indicator is elongated and comprises a longitudinal axis (Y);
- a first set of members are located at a first axial position along the length of the indicator;
- a second set of members are located at a second axial position along the length of the indicator, wherein the first axial position is closer to an end of the indicator that is located towards the outer surface of the torque limiter in use;
- and
- the movable component is configured to push the indicator a limited amount such that, when the movable component pushes the indicator the first set of members are pushed out of the cavity and move from the initial, compressed state to the subsequent, expanded state, and the second set of members remain within the cavity and press against the surface of the cavity to resist further movement of the indicator within the cavity.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.