Patent ID: 9175736
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A torque-limited clutch having a positive drive direction and a torque-limited drive direction comprising: an outer clutch assembly and an inner clutch member separated radially by a rotor; the outer clutch assembly comprising a first housing coupled to a second housing; the first housing comprising at least one milled pocket having a first stop end and a second stop end; the first housing and the second housing each comprising a plurality of ball pockets each having a ball egress; the rotor comprising a first planar surface and a second planar surface wherein a plurality of overload assembly through-holes extend from the first planar surface through the second planar surface and at least one drive pin extends outward from the first planar surface; and a plurality of overload assemblies positioned substantially within the rotor overload assembly through-holes, the plurality of overload assemblies each comprising at least one ball and a biasing mechanism; whereby, when the torque-limited clutch is used in the positive drive direction the at least one drive pin is positioned against the first stop end of the at least one milled pocket; and when the torque-limiting clutch is used in the torque-limited drive direction the at least one ball is biased in one of the plurality of ball pockets and wherein the at least one ball exits the ball pocket along the ball egress upon the clutch experiencing a torque level exceeding a predetermined torque limit.