Torque limiting clutch assembly with freewheeling action

An overrunning clutch assembly for limiting torque transmission therethrough comprising:

• a driving member;
• a driven member;
• shift ring means interposed between said driving and driven member to be axially moveable relative thereto between a driving position, where said shift ring means operates to transmit torque from said driving member to said driven member, and a freewheeling position whereby torque transmission between said driven and said driving member is disengaged, said shift ring means moving to said freewheeling position when a predetermined level of torque transmission through said clutch assembly is exceeded;
• track means defining in said shift ring means circumferentially extending indentations;
• roller means operatively mounted on one of said driving and driven members in position to engage said track means;
• said track means including first portions thereof adapted to be engaged by said roller means when said shift ring means is in said driving position to effect transmission of torque between said shift ring means and said one of said driving and driven members, and second portions thereof enabling freewheeling action between said shift ring means and said one of said driving and driven members whereby said shift ring means is placed in said freewheeling position;
• said track means being configured to effect said freewheeling action when torque applied between said one of said driving and driven members and said shift ring means exceeds a predetermined level;
• control ring means operatively interposed between said shift ring means and said one of said driving and driven members;
• cam means defined on said control ring means;
• first follower means on said one of said driving and driven members for engaging said cam means;
• second follower means on said shift ring means for engaging said cam means;
• and
• spring means interposed between said shift ring means and said control ring means for urging them toward a given position relative to each other;
• said cam means being configured to effect axial movement of said shift ring means relative to the other of said driving and driven members to cause disengagement therebetween as a result of interengagement between said second follower means and said cam means, said interengagement occurring by virtue of engagement of said first follower means with said cam means effected when freewheeling engagement between said roller means and said track means occurs.