Back to results
US 6,902,048 B1Granted
Clutch
OwnerCaleb Chunginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides various clutch/gear assemblies that can be driven by a single motor. The clutch/gear assemblies comprise a smart material which changes shape when supplied with energy, e.g., current or heat. The smart material achieves one of a first or a second shape when supplied with energy, and achieves the other shape when it is not supplied with energy. When the smart material achieves a first shape it causes a clutch surface of the clutch/gear to engage and be driven by a shaft coupled to the motor and when the smart material achieves a second shape it allows the clutch surface to disengage from the shaft.
Claims53
A clutch system comprising:
- a driving member coupled to a motor;
- a clutch for engaging the driving member and transferring power from the driving member to a first driven member comprising,
- a clutch surface for engaging the driving member,
- a shape altering material coupled to the clutch surface, wherein the shape altering material can achieve a first shape and a second shape, wherein the shape altering material achieves one of said first or second shapes when supplied with energy and achieves the remaining one of said first or second shapes when it is not supplied with energy, wherein as the shape altering material achieves a first shape it applies a force for causing the clutch surface to engage and be driven by said driving member and wherein when the shape altering material achieves a second shape it allows the clutch surface to disengage from the driving member;
- and
- an energy source coupled to the shape altering material.
3 more elements
A clutch/gear assembly:
- an annular clutch having an inner surface for engaging a driving member and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and opposite side surfaces therebetween;
- an annular member, wherein the clutch is located within the annular member and is coupled to said annular member;
- and
- a shape altering material wire around the outer surface, wherein the shape altering material wire can achieve a first shape and a second shape, wherein the shape altering material wire achieves one of said first or second shapes when supplied with energy and achieves the remaining one of said first or second shapes when it is not supplied with energy, wherein as the shape altering material wire achieves a first shape it applies a force for causing the engagement of the annular clutch inner surface with the driving member such that the driving member drives the annular clutch and wherein when the shape altering material wire achieves a second shape it allows the clutch to return to its original position.
1 more element
A clutch system comprising:
- a driving member coupled to a motor;
- a clutch comprising a shape altering material, the clutch comprising a clutch surface for engaging a driving member wherein the shape altering material can achieve a first shape and a second shape, wherein the shape altering material achieves one of said first or second shapes when supplied with energy and achieves the remaining one of said first or second shapes when it is not supplied with energy, wherein as the shape altering material achieves a first shape it causes the clutch surface to engage and be driven by said driving member and wherein when the shape altering material achieves a second shape the clutch surface disengages from the driving member;
- and
- an energy source coupled to the shape altering alloy material.
1 more element
A method for operating a device comprising:
- coupling a member of the device to a clutch surface;
- coupling a shape altering material to the clutch surface;
- and
- controlling energy applied to the shape altering material altering the shape of said shape altering material for actuating the clutch surface causing the clutch surface to couple to and be driven by a motor for moving the member.
1 more element
A clutch/gear assembly:
- an annular clutch having an inner surface for engaging a driving member and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and opposite side surfaces therebetween;
- an annular member, wherein the clutch is located within the annular member and is coupled to said annular member;
- a shape altering material wire around the outer surface, wherein the shape altering material wire can achieve a first shape and a second shape, wherein the shape altering material wire achieves one of said first or second shapes when supplied with energy and achieves the remaining one of said first or second shapes when it is not supplied with energy, wherein as the shape altering material wire achieves a first shape it applies a force for causing the engagement of the annular clutch inner surface with the driving member and wherein when the shape altering material wire achieves a second shape it allows the clutch to return to its original position;
- a slot extending from an inner portion toward an outer portion of the annular member;
- and
- a projection extending outwardly from the clutch and fitted within the slot, whereby rotation of the clutch causes the projection to engage a wall defined by the slot on the annular member and rotate the annular member.
3 more elements
A clutch/gear assembly:
- an annular clutch having an inner surface for engaging a driving member and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and opposite side surfaces therebetween;
- an annular member, wherein the clutch is located within the annular member and is connected to said annular member;
- a shape altering material wire around the outer surface, wherein the shape altering material wire can achieve a first shape and a second shape, wherein the shape altering material wire achieves one of said first or second shapes when supplied with energy and achieves the remaining one of said first or second shapes when it is not supplied with energy, wherein as the shape altering material wire achieves a first shape it applies a force for causing the engagement of the annular clutch inner surface with the driving member and wherein when the shape altering material wire achieves a second shape it allows the clutch to return to its original position;
- a slot extending from an inner portion toward an outer portion of the annular member;
- and
- a projection extending outwardly from the clutch and fitted within the slot, whereby rotation of the clutch causes the projection to engage a wall defined by the slot on the annular member and rotate the annular member.
3 more elements
A clutch/gear assembly:
- an annular clutch having an inner surface for engaging a driving member and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and opposite side surfaces therebetween;
- an annular member, wherein the clutch is located within the annular member and is coupled to said annular member;
- a shape altering material wire around the outer surface, wherein the shape altering material wire can achieve a first shape and a second shape, wherein the shape altering material wire achieves one of said first or second shapes when supplied with energy and achieves the remaining one of said first or second shapes when it is not supplied with energy, wherein as the shape altering material wire achieves a first shape it applies a force for causing the engagement of the annular clutch inner surface with the driving member and wherein when the shape altering material wire achieves a second shape it allows the clutch to return to its original position;
- a terminal pad extending from each end of the wire wherein one terminal pad is coupled to one side surface of the annular clutch and wherein the second terminal pad is coupled to an opposite side surface of the annular clutch;
- a first electrically conductive connector plate for coupling to an energy source and coupled to a first side surface of the annular member and coupled to the first terminal pad;
- and
- a second electrically conductive connector plate for coupling to an energy source and coupled to a second side surface of the annular member opposite the first side surface and coupled to the second terminal pad.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.