Automatic Resetting Torque Limiter Capable Of High Speed Continuous Operations In Released Mode

A torque limiter arrangement for interrupting a rotary drive between two rotary members rotating at high speeds when the torque transmitted between said members exceeds a predetermined level comprising:

• a curving engagement surface formed on one rotary member extending around an axis of rotation of said one member having a plurality of peaks each comprising a lobe;
• a plurality of engagement element assemblies carried by another of said rotary members each including an engagement element spring urged into contact with said engagement surface by a spring arrangement acting radially on said engagement element, producing an increasing resistance force as said engagement element is caused to partially ascend a respective lobe by slight relative rotation between said members caused by the transmission of torque therebetween any, torque applied by one of said rotary members below said preset limit being insufficient to overcome said spring arrangement not causing said engagement element to pass over said lobe and to thereby maintain a driving connection between said rotary members and, wherein whenever a transmitted torque increases over said preset limit this causes said one or more follower elements to be moved past and over said lobes whereby said rotary driving relationship between said rotary members is interrupted by said engagement elements passing over said one or more lobes until said applied torque again declines below said preset limit to reset said torque limiter by again preventing said engagement elements from rotating past an adjacent one or more lobe to thereby re-establish a rotary driving relationship between said rotary members, said engagement surfaces of a curved shape insuring that discontinuities in the acceleration or jerk derivatives of said engagement surfaces do not occur anywhere along said curve as said engagement elements pass over said lobes, whereby large dynamic forces are not imposed on said engagement elements or engagement surface when said torque limiter is operating in a released condition.