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US 5,330,039 AGranted
Clutch with torque measuring device
AssigneeTI Matrix Engineering Limited
InventorDavid J. Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In fluid pressure or electromagnetically operated clutches, the transmitted torque is measured by strain gauges incorporated in rotating clutch members. The strain gauges are energized and the signal from them conveyed to stationary control equipment by way of co-operating rotating and fixed coils of which one, in the case of the electromagnetically actuated clutch, can be energized to operate the clutch.
Claims25
A clutch device comprising:
- a frame,
- a drive member for receiving a rotational drive,
- a drivable member,
- a clutch element,
- electromagnetic coil means for moving said clutch element between a first position in which said rotational drive is applied by way of said clutch element to said drivable member and a second position in which said drive is not so applied,
- transducer means responsive to the torque transmitted in said clutch in said first position of said clutch element to provide an output signal,
- electrical treatment means for treating said output signal,
- first electrical coupling means receiving said output signal, and
- second electrical coupling means carried by said clutch frame,
- said first electrical coupling means co-operating with second electrical coupling means to convey said output signal to said electrical treatment means and said electromagnetic coil means for moving said clutch functioning also as said second electrical coupling means.
7 more elements
A clutch device comprising:
- a support frame,
- a rotary drive member journaled in said support frame,
- a drivable clutch member journaled in said frame,
- a clutch element carried by said rotary drive member for rotation therewith and for movement along the axis of said rotation between a first position in which said clutch element couples said rotary drive member to said drivable clutch member and a second position in which said rotary drive member is decoupled from said drivable clutch member,
- clutch control means selectively operable to move said clutch element between said first and second positions thereof,
- transducer means mounted on said clutch element, said transducer means being adapted to provide an output signal dependent on torque transmitted by said clutch element in said first position thereof,
- electrical treatment means carried by said frame, and
- electrical transmission means transmitting said output signal to said electrical treatment means, said electrical transmission comprising co-operating first and second non-contacting members carried respectively by said clutch element and said frame.
5 more elements
A clutch device comprising:
- a support frame,
- a drive member journaled in said support frame for rotation about an axis,
- a drivable member rotatable about said axis,
- a clutch member rotatable about said axis, said clutch member and one of said drive member and said drivable member having co-operating interengageable annular clutch formations centered on said axis, said clutch member being attached to the other one of said drive member and said drivable member, said clutch member being movable along said axis between a first position in which said clutch formations are interengaged whereby said clutch member couples said drive member to said drivable member and a second position in which said clutch formations are disengaged whereby said drive member is decoupled from said drivable member,
- control means selectively operable to move said clutch member between said first and second positions thereof,
- transducer means mounted on one of said clutch member and the one of said drive member and said drivable member having said clutch formation, said transducer means being located at a position radially between said axis and said clutch formations, and said transducer means being adapted to provide an output signal dependent on torque transmitted through said clutch device in said first position of said clutch member,
- electrical treatment means responsive to said output signal, and
- electrical transmission means transmitting said output signal to said electrical treatment means, said electrical transmission comprising co-operating first and second non-contacting members carried respectively by said support frame and by said one of said clutch member and said drive member and said drivable member having said transducer means mounted thereon.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.