Releaseable one-way clutch

Abstract

A clutch (22) includes a first member (48) rotatable with respect to a base member (14) in a first direction A and a second direction B, a second member (56) rotatable with respect to the base member, a rolling element (62) between the first and second members, and a ramp sleeve (58) disposed between the first and second members, and coupled to the base member such that the ramp sleeve is generally prevented from rotating with respect to the base member. The ramp sleeve includes a ramp (82). The second member includes a first rotational position with respect to the ramp sleeve and a second rotational position with respect to the ramp sleeve. The rolling element is configured to wedge against the ramp to prevent relative rotation of the first member with respect to the base member in the first direction when the second member is in the first rotational position. When the second member is in the second rotational position, the first member is able to rotate with respect to the base member in the first rotational direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.