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US 5,518,094 AGranted
Clutch/brake having rectangular-area-contact 3D locking sprags
AssigneeHoneybee Robotics, LLC
InventorThomas Myrick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch or brake device has locking sprags engageable between its inner and outer races which have a three-dimensional wedge shape with respect to the rotational (Z) axis. The 3D locking sprags have contact surfaces shaped to make rectangular area contact with the corresponding surfaces of the inner and outer races for reduction and improved distribution of contact stresses. The 3D sprags are also shaped with a constant-angle contact surface in cross-section in a plane normal to the Z-axis for self-compensation with wear and maintenance of effective locking angles under loads.
Claims9
A clutch or brake device comprising:
- annular input and output members arranged concentrically to each other on a common Z axis, said input and output members having respective annular race surfaces facing opposite each other across a race groove in a plane normal to the Z axis;
- and
- a plurality of locking elements in spaced relation to each other in said race groove which are actuatable for engaging with and releasing from the race surfaces of said input and output members,
- said locking elements having a symmetric tapered shape in the direction of the Z axis formed by upper and lower sections having mutually inclined contact surfaces at a selected angle to the Z axis, and
- said contact surfaces of said locking elements and said race surfaces of said input and output members being shaped as complementarily mating surfaces that make contact along a line segment when viewed in cross-section in a plane including the Z-axis, wherein each of said contact surfaces of said locking elements provides a rectangular-shaped contact area with the mating contact surface of said input and output members.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.