Back to results
US 2011/0214960 A1Published application
Wedge clutch assembly
AssigneeBrian K. Bosk
InventorBRIAN K. BOSK
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The wedge clutch assembly is a clutch assembly for power tools, drilling rigs and like machinery utilizing rotating drills. In at least one embodiment the wedge clutch assembly has a pinion shaft adapted in shape to support a pinion gear, a bronze clutch cup, an optional thrust bearing, and a steel wedge clutch spring washer retained by a fastener. A further embodiment is particularly adapted for installation in the hub of a watercraft propeller. This watercraft propeller clutch embodiment deletes the clutch cup and includes opposite end caps to seal the assembly.
Claims20
A wedge clutch assembly, comprising:
- a housing having an upper opening and a lower opening;
- an inner wedge disposed within the housing, the inner wedge having a passage formed therethrough adapted for receiving a drive shaft, the inner wedge including:
- an upper externally threaded neck having annular threads formed on a portion thereof;
- a frustoconical section adjacent the threaded neck, the upper externally threaded neck projecting through the upper opening of the housing, the frustoconical section being disposed within, and covered by, the housing;
- an increased diameter section depending from the frustoconical section and extending outwardly from the housing through the lower opening formed therethrough, the increased diameter section having a diameter greater than the diameter of the upper externally threaded neck;
- and
- a lower section adjacent the increased diameter section, the lower section having a diameter less than the diameter of the increased diameter section;
- a thrust bearing mounted about a lower portion of the upper externally threaded neck, the thrust bearing abutting the housing when the inner wedge is assembled therewith;
- at least one wedge clutch spring washer disposed about the neck adjacent the thrust bearing;
- a fastener threaded on the upper externally threaded neck above the wedge clutch spring washer for adjusting an applied torque to the inner wedge;
- and
- a seal flange mounted about an upper portion of the upper externally threaded neck above the fastener;
- wherein the housing and the inner wedge are adapted for placement within a cavity of a clutch, the seal flange being adapted for sealing an upper end of the cavity from external contamination.
10 more elements
A conical clutch assembly, comprising:
- a torque body having:
- a large diameter, generally cylindrical first end portion;
- a small diameter, generally cylindrical second end portion opposite the first end portion, the second end portion having a threaded area disposed thereon;
- and
- a generally medial frustoconical portion between the first end portion and the second end portion;
- the torque body defining a passage extending completely therethrough from the first end portion to the second end portion;
- a slip member having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a frustoconical passage extending completely therethrough from the first end to the second end, the frustoconical passage mating frictionally with the frustoconical portion of the torque body when the slip member is installed thereon;
- at least one thrust bearing disposed about the second end portion of the torque body, the at least one thrust bearing abutting the second end of the slip member;
- at least one spring washer disposed about the second end portion of the torque body, the at least one thrust bearing being disposed between the spring washer and the second end of the slip member;
- and
- at least one retaining nut adjustably threaded upon the threaded area of the second end portion of the torque body, the at least one spring washer and the at least one thrust bearing being captured between the at least one retaining nut and the second end of the slip member.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.