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US 6,854,577 B2Granted
Sound dampened one-way clutch
AssigneeMeans Industries, Inc.
InventorStephen M. Ruth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A one-way clutch includes a first member having multiple first recesses, and a second member having multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recesses. Each recess includes a load-bearing surface. The clutch also includes multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members. At least one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members.
Claims28
A one-way clutch comprising:
- a first member having first and second pockets;
- a second member having first and second notches that are alignable with the first and second pockets, respectively, each notch having a load-bearing surface;
- a first engaging element that is cooperable with the first pocket and engageable with the load-bearing surface of the first notch to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members;
- and
- a second engaging element that is cooperable with the second pocket and engageable with the load-bearing surface of the second notch, the second engaging element comprising a non-metallic, compressible material and being configured to compress upon engagement with the load-bearing surface of the second notch to inhibit relative movement of the members prior to engagement of the first engaging element with the load-bearing surface of the first notch;
- wherein the second engaging element is longer than the first engaging element.
3 more elements
A one-way clutch comprising:
- a first member having multiple pockets;
- a second member having multiple notches that are alignable with the pockets, each notch having a load-bearing surface;
- multiple first engaging elements that are cooperable with the pockets and selectively engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the notches to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members;
- and
- multiple second engaging elements that are cooperable with the pockets and selectively engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the notches, each second engaging element comprising a non-metallic, compressible material and being configured to compress upon engagement with the load-bearing surface of a respective notch to inhibit relative movement of the members prior to engagement of at least one first engaging element with the load-bearing surface of a respective notch;
- wherein at least one of the second engaging elements is longer than at least one of the first engaging elements.
3 more elements
A one-way clutch comprising:
- a first member having multiple first recesses that each have a load-bearing surface;
- a second member having multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recesses, each second recess having a load-bearing surface;
- and
- multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members, wherein at least one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members, and wherein the at least one engaging element is longer than another one of the engaging elements.
1 more element
A one-way clutch comprising:
- a first member including multiple first recesses that each have a load-bearing surface;
- a second member including multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recess, each second recess having a load-bearing surface;
- and
- multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to facilitate one-way torque transfer between the first and second members, wherein a first one of the engaging elements comprises metal, and a second one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.