Synchronous self-shifting toothed clutch

Abstract

A synchronous self-shifting toothed clutch, for use between a gas turbine and an electrical generator, of the type comprising an intermediate member which moves helically relative to a rotary clutch part in the direction to interengage the coacting clutch teeth upon passage of the rotary clutch parts through synchronism in one direction of relative rotation, and wherein a dashpot is provided for cushioning the final phase of clutch engagement. The improvement comprises a first ring of locking dogs carried by the said rotary clutch part, and a second ring of locking dogs carried by a control sleeve mounted for axial movement relative to the intermediate member. The dogs of the first ring are alternately short and long, the short dogs being narrower than the long dogs, and the dogs of the second ring are alternately short and long, the short dogs being wider than the long dogs. In each ring, the long dogs project axially beyond the short dogs towards the other ring, and the spaces between the dogs are alternately wide and narrow. With the clutch teeth partially engaged the long dogs of each ring can interengage with the long dogs of the other ring, but the short dogs of the second ring are baulked axially by the long dogs of the first ring. With the clutch teeth fully interengaged the dogs of each ring can interengage with the dogs of the other ring.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.