Patent ID: 7152721
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. An over-running clutch comprising: an outer race having an inner surface and being rotatable about a first axis; an inner race being coaxial with said outer race and having an outer surface defining a gap between said outer surface and said inner surface, said inner race being rotatable about said first axis with allowable rotational movement relative to said outer race; a plurality of adjacent ramp surfaces formed circumferentially about one of said outer surface and said inner surface, said ramp surfaces having a midpoint and opposing end portions; a plurality of rolling elements positioned between said outer race and said inner race, said rolling elements having a diameter that is less than a first gap portion of the gap between said outer surface and said inner surface, the first gap being at one of said midpoint of said ramp surfaces and said opposing end portions of said ramp surfaces, and said diameter being greater than a second gap portion of the gap between said inner surface and said outer surface, the second gap being at the other of said midpoint of said ramp surfaces and said end portions of said ramp surfaces; a retainer interconnecting all of said rolling elements and causing said rolling elements to move in unison with one another, said retainer being rotatable about said first axis, said retainer including a plurality of retainer tabs extending axially from said retainer; a rotor coupled to said outer race such that said rotor rotates with said outer race; a non-magnetic sleeve positioned between and interconnecting said rotor with said outer race, said sleeve having portions retainingly engaging corresponding portions on said outer race such that said sleeve is mounted onto an outer surface of said outer race, and one of said outer surface of said outer race and an inner surface of said sleeve includes radially extending lugs and the other of said outer surface and said inner surface includes recesses corresponding to said lugs, and said outer surface of said outer race includes a radial circumferentially extending ridge around said outer race, wherein said lugs and said recesses are engaged and portions of said sleeve extend over said ridge thereby rotationally and axially locking said sleeve to said outer races; an armature disposed between said retainer and said rotor, said armature further including a plurality of openings formed therein and located circumferentially about said armature, said retainer tabs extending axially into said openings such that said armature is rotationally coupled to said retainer while allowing limited axial movement of said armature relative to said retainer; and an electromagnetic coil surrounded by said rotor, said electromagnetic coil adapted to produce an electromagnetic flux that magnetically attracts said armature into contact with said rotor whereby rotation of said outer race is frictionally transferred to said armature and said retainer thereby moving said rollers along said ramp surfaces to a position where said rollers engage and wedge between said inner and outer races to prevent relative rotation between said inner and outer races.