US3680673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutches
Assignee: Harry Ferguson Research Ltd
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Filing: 1970-10-21
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Various embodiments of overrunning clutches are described. Each clutch is of the type which incorporates mutually interleaved friction plates; and mutually separable annular pressure plates connected respectively to driving and driven members and having between them actuating means in the form of ball-and-ramp actuators which are sensitive to the direction of relative rotation of the pressure plates and consequently of the driving and driven members. In order to improve the sensitivity of the clutch, the pressure plates are lightly spring biassed by springs which act on the pressure plates in opposite circumferential directions which correspond with a tendency for the pressure plates to separate. The springs place the clutch in a pre-loaded condition and so improve the sensitivity, and also take up wear which may occur in the friction plates or pressure plates. Embodiments incorporating both tension and compression spring are described.
Inventors
- 👤 Oswald Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D41/00; F16D41/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An overrunning clutch comprising rotatable driving and driven members, drive means operatively interposed between the driving and driven members, the said means including a first pressure plaTe, connecting means for establishing a driving connection between the driving member and the first pressure plate, a shiftable second pressure plate, a friction clutch of variable torsional capacity between the driven member and the shiftable pressure plate for establishing a driving connection between the driven member and the shiftable pressure plate, the said pressure plates having mutually co-operable camming means thereon for forcing the pressure plates apart and consequently increasing torsional capacity of the friction clutch when the driving and driven members and consequently the pressure plates tend to rotate relatively with respect to one another in one relative direction, a casing surrounding the said drive means and rotatable about the axis of the overrunning clutch, second connecting means placing the casing in driving connection with the shiftable pressure plate, and a spring acting on the pressure plates so as to tend to rotate the plates relatively with respect to one another in the said one relative direction, said spring having one end thereof connected to the first pressure plate and the other end thereof anchored to the casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An overrunning clutch comprising rotatable driving and driven members, drive means operatively interposed between the driving and driven members, the said means including a first pressure plaTe, connecting means for establishing a driving connection between the driving member and the first pressure plate, a shiftable second pressure plate, a friction clutch of variable torsional capacity between the driven member and the shiftable pressure plate for establishing a driving connection between the driven member and the shiftable pressure plate, the said pressure plates having mutually co-operable camming means thereon for forcing the pressure plates apart and consequently increasing torsional capacity of the friction clutch when the driving and driven members and consequently the pressure plates tend to rotate relatively with respect to one another in one relative direction, a casing surrounding the said drive means and rotatable about the axis of the overrunning clutch, second connecting means placing the casing in driving connection with the shiftable pressure plate, and a spring acting on the pressure plates so as to tend to rotate the plates relatively with respect to one another in the said one relative direction, said spring having one end thereof connected to the first pressure plate and the other end thereof anchored to the casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An overrunning clutch according to claim 1, wherein the said spring is a tension spring arranged circumferentially with respect to the rotational axis of the overrunning clutch externally of the said casing, and said one end of the spring is connected to the first pressure plate though means defining an aperture in said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An overrunning clutch according to claim 2 including a brake having a one-way running member in driving connection with the shiftable pressure plate for positively preventing rotation of the shiftable pressure plate in one direction of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
An overrunning clutch according to claim 3 including mutually co-operable stops on the one-way running member and on the first pressure plate respectively, the stops being arranged so as to limit rotation of the first pressure plate in a direction or rotation opposed to the running direction of rotation of the one-way running member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
An overrunning clutch according to claim 4, wherein the said one-way running member is drivingly connected to the casing, and the said second connecting means incorporates mutually co-operable ramp faces so arranged that they react to thrust the shiftable second pressure plate in a direction away from the friction clutch to permit slip in the friction clutch when the siftable second pressure plate tends to rotate in a direction of rotation opposed to the running direction of rotation of the one-way running member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An overrunning clutch according to claim 5, wherein the first pressure plate is a shiftable pressure plate, and the said connecting means for establishing a driving connection between the driving member and the first pressure plate is a friction clutch of variable torsional capacity responsive to action of the said camming means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |