Patent ID: 6755293
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
An RPM-responsive sprag overrunning clutch, which includes:a generally cylindrical drive member adapted to be secured to a drive shaft; an annular driven member telescoped over the drive member and spaced therefrom; an annular plate; a plurality of sprags pinned to the annular plate and positioned between the drive member and the driven member; each of the plurality of sprags being configured to be shifted into or out of wedging engagement between the drive member and the driven member; an RPM-responsive actuating mechanism operatively connected to the plurality of sprags for shifting the plurality of sprags into or out of wedging engagement between the drive member and the driven member, the actuating mechanism including: a plurality of weights positioned on essentially a common diameter and which are freely movable radially of the actuating mechanism under influence of centrifugal force generated by rotation of the drive member; and a pair of movable segments, each movable segment being associated with one of the plurality of weights, mounted on the actuating mechanism for circumferential movement, and spring-biased against one direction of circumferential movement; and a connecting ring positioned between and connecting the pair of movable segments and the annular plate.