Patent ID: 8083596
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A torque limiter comprising: an outer cylindrical housing having a plurality of semicircular grooves disposed in an interior surface thereof, the outer cylindrical housing configured to receive applied torque; an inner cylindrical housing having a plurality of slots passing from an interior surface to an exterior surface thereof, the inner cylindrical housing arranged at least partially within of the outer cylindrical housing, the inner cylindrical housing coupled to an adaptor configured to deliver torque to a fastener disposed within a human body; a plurality of roller bearings, each roller bearing disposed within a slot in the inner cylindrical housing; an elastic cylinder arranged within the inner cylindrical housing, the elastic cylinder configured to, when applied torque is below a torque limit, press the roller bearings into contact with the semicircular grooves to couple the outer cylindrical housing and the inner cylindrical housing to permit applied torque to transfer therebetween and be delivered via the adaptor to the fastener disposed within the human body; and the elastic cylinder further configured to, in response to applied torque exceeding the torque limit, compress to allow the roller bearings to retract sufficiently into the inner cylindrical housing that they disengage the semicircular grooves to decouple the outer cylindrical housing from the inner cylindrical housing and to substantially prevent transfer of torque therebetween to prevent delivery of excess torque to the fastener disposed within the human body, wherein the torque limiter is a single-use disposable product, where at least one of the inner cylindrical housing, the outer cylindrical housing, the roller bearings or another component of the torque limiter is constructed from a non-heat resistant material that substantially deteriorates in response to autoclaving.