Patent ID: 8696473
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A torque limiter arrangement for interrupting a rotary drive between two rotary members rotating at high speeds by disconnecting the two members to overrun relative each other at a speed on the order of 1800 rpm or higher for extended time periods after the torque transmitted between said members exceeds a predetermined level, comprising: a curving engagement surface formed on one rotary member extending around an axis of rotation of said one member having a plurality of peaks each comprising a drive lobe; a plurality of engagement element assemblies carried by another of said rotary members each including an engagement element spring urged into contact with said engagement surface by a spring arrangement acting radially on said engagement element, producing an increasing resistance force as said engagement element is caused to partially ascend a respective lobe by said relative rotation between said members caused by the transmission of torque therebetween over a preset limit, torque applied by one of said rotary members below said preset limit being insufficient to overcome said spring arrangement and not causing said engagement element to pass over said lobe and to thereby maintain a driving connection between said rotary members; and, wherein whenever a transmitted torque increases over said preset limit causing said one or more follower elements to be moved past and over said lobes whereby said rotary driving relationship between said rotary members is interrupted by said engagement elements passing over said one or more lobes to disconnect said driving relationship between said members until said applied torque again declines below said preset limit to reset said torque limiter by again preventing said engagement elements from rotating past an adjacent one or more lobe to thereby re-establish a rotary driving relationship between said rotary members, said lobes of said engagement surface of a curved shape insuring that discontinuities in a plot of the acceleration or jerk derivatives of the shape said lobes of said engagement surface do not occur anywhere along said plot as said engagement elements pass over said lobes, each of said engagement surface peaks being defined at least in part by curved shape of a plot of a polynomial function of at least the fifth power, thereby minimizing dynamic forces imposed on said engagement elements or engagement surface when said torque limiter is operating in a rotary member disconnected condition.