Patent ID: 6364772
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
A coupling for disconnecting a rotating drive shaft from a coaxially aligned and abutting driven shaft, each shaft having first and second ends, the coupling comprising:a first means for transmitting torque disposed at the first end of the drive shaft; a disconnect piston with first and second ends axially movable in a coaxial cylinder within the first end of the driven shaft having a generally cylindrical internal cavity extending to the second end and internal passages radiating outward from the cavity toward the first end; a cavity piston fixed within the cavity in the disconnect piston, the cavity piston having an end adjacent to the second end of the disconnect piston; a mass of fusible material disposed within the cavity in the disconnect piston; a pin mounted radially within and attached to the first end of the driven shaft; and a second means for transmitting torque disposed at the first end of the disconnect piston that couples with both the first torque transmitting means and the pin, whereby the motion of the molten fusible material under centrifugal force through the Usages disconnects the drive shaft from the disconnect piston and the driven shaft.