Grouped sprags
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorGerhard Still
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A one-way sprag clutch is disclosed. The clutch includes coaxial inner and outer races. A plurality of sprags arranged in a group is located within a cage between the races. The sprags are engageable with the inner surface and the outer surface by rotating in a first peripheral direction relative of the surfaces to transmit a torque between the two races. A plurality of bolts is located adjacent to the sprag group. The number of sprags in the group is greater than the number of bolts. In particular, one of the bolts limits rotation of the sprags in a first direction beyond an engaged position and a second bolt limits rotation of the sprags in a second direction to a lift-off position.
Claims21
A one-way clutch comprising:
- an outer race having an annular inner surface, an inner race having an annular outer surface and disposed coaxially with said outer race;
- a plurality of sprags arranged in a group and located between said inner surface and said outer surface, and engageable with said inner surface and said outer surface by rotating in a first peripheral direction relative of said surfaces to an engaged position for transmitting a torque between said two races, said sprags resiliently biased in said first direction;
- a sprag cage for holding said sprags in an annular space between said annular surfaces;
- and
- a plurality of bolts adjacent said grouped sprags, said plurality of sprags being greater than said plurality of bolts, one of said bolts limiting rotation of said sprags in a second direction to a lift-off position disengaged with said inner surface and said outer surface, a second of said bolts limiting the rotation of said sprags in said first direction.
A centrifugal throw-out sprag clutch having a cage between concentric inner and outer races, comprising:
- a plurality of sprags arranged in a group within said cage, each said sprag including inner and outer surfaces for respectively engaging the inner and outer races when rotated in a first direction to an engaged position, said sprags resiliently biased in said first direction along an axis of rotation into said engaged position, said sprags rotating along said axis in a second direction opposite said first direction to a lift off position disengaged with said surfaces when subjected to centrifugal force;
- and
- a plurality of bolts adjacent said group, said plurality of sprags being greater than said plurality of bolts, a first of said bolts limiting rotation of said sprags in said second direction to said lift-off position, a second of said bolts limiting rotation in said first direction beyond said engaged position.
A centrifugal throw-out sprag clutch having a cage between concentric inner and outer races, comprising:
- a plurality of asymmetrical sprags arranged in a group within said cage, each said sprag including inner and outer surfaces for respectively engaging the inner and outer races when rotated in a first direction to an engaged position, each sprag further including a generally convex side and a generally concave side radially extending between said inner and outer surfaces, said concave side further including an axially extending cylindrical portion, the center of said cylindrical portion being an axis of rotation for said sprag, said sprags resiliently biased in said first direction along said axis of rotation into said engaged position, said sprags rotating along said axis in a second direction opposite said first direction to a lift off position disengaged with said surfaces when subjected to centrifugal force;
- and
- a plurality of bolts adjacent said group, said plurality of sprags being greater than said plurality of bolts, a first of said bolts limiting rotation of said group of sprags in said second direction to said lift-off position, a second of said bolts limiting rotation of said group of sprags in said first direction beyond said engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.