Patent ID: 7484605
Filing Date: 2009-02-03
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. An overrunning radial coupling assembly comprising: an inner member having an outer peripheral surface; an outer member having an inner peripheral surface adjacent the outer peripheral surface in radially inner and radially outer relationship, at least one of the members being mounted for rotation about a first axis; pawl-receiving portions and pawl-holding portions formed on the members; at least one free-floating, forward pawl and at least one free-floating, reverse pawl adjacent to the at least one forward pawl, the pawls being received and retained in the pawl-holding portions but not physically secured to the pawl-holding portions, the forward and reverse pawls being movable between an engaged position between the pawl-receiving and pawl-holding portions and a disengaged position in which one of the members is permitted to free-wheel relative to the other of the members; a set of biasing members carried by the pawl-holding portions and urging the forward and reverse pawls outwardly from their respective pawl-holding portions; and a single control element mounted for controlled, shifting movement between the surfaces relative to the pawl-holding portions and operable to control position of at least one of the pawls, the control element having at least one opening which extends completely therethrough to allow the forward and reverse pawls to extend therethrough at the same time to the engaged position in a first position of the control element to fully lock the inner and outer members together to prevent relative rotation between the inner and outer members in either direction about the first axis and wherein the control element maintains at least one of the pawls in its disengaged position in a second position of the control element.