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US 5,630,490 AGranted
Torque limiter
AssigneeLucas Industries public limited company
InventorsPhilip Hudson, Stephen H. Davies
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque limiter comprises input and output shafts connected together by a clutch which disengages to prevent excessive torque from being applied to the output shaft and to allow the input shaft to rotate freely. As the clutch disengages, a brake is applied to the output shaft to prevent it from rotating. When the brake is applied, a latch holds the brake on. The clutch comprises balls which are held in clutch plate recesses to transmit torque but which ride out of the recesses and fall into pockets so that the clutch becomes permanently disengaged.
Claims6
A torque limiter comprising:
- an input element;
- an output element;
- a clutch for transmitting torque between said input element and said output element such that, when said clutch is disengaged, said input is completely disconnected from said output element and is free to rotate;
- a brake which is applied to said output element in response to a torque exceeding a predetermined value prior to disengagement of said clutch;
- and a latch for latching said brake in an applied state of said brake.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.