Patent ID: 8297421
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: F01C,F04C,F16D

Abstract:
1. A clutch comprising: a drive shaft extending along and rotatable about a longitudinal axis and configured for supplying torque; a ratchet attached to said drive shaft for rotation with said drive shaft about said longitudinal axis and including a plurality of teeth extending radially outward away from said longitudinal axis; a hub rotatably coupled to said drive shaft for rotation about said longitudinal axis relative to said drive shaft, said hub including at least one pawl extending radially inward toward said ratchet; said at least one pawl moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position with said at least one pawl disengaged from said plurality of teeth when in said disengaged position, and said at least one pawl engaged with said plurality of teeth when in said engaged position for rotating said ratchet and said drive shaft about said longitudinal axis; a control device attached to said at least one pawl, said control device moveable between an un-actuated position and an actuated position, wherein said control device positions said at least one pawl in one of said engaged position and said disengaged position when said control device is in said actuated position, and said control device permits said at least one pawl to move into another of said engaged position and said disengaged position when said control device is in said un-actuated position; and an actuator having a first end attached to said hub and a second end configured for attachment to a support, wherein said actuator is moveable between an un-rotated position and a rotated position for rotating said hub in a single direction about said longitudinal axis to drive the ratchet.