Patent ID: 6997296
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A gear coupler for a power transmission comprising: an outer race having a cylindrical inner surface; an inner race having a cylindrical outer surface with spaced apart ramped surfaces, said inner race including a support portion defining said ramped surfaces and a slotted portion extending axially from said support portion and having a slot longitudinally disposed therealong; a plurality of rollers seated between said inner and outer race; a controllable cage having a plurality of cage pins alternately seated between adjacent pairs of rollers for engaging said rollers with said ramped surfaces, said cage including a cage ring spaced longitudinally from a cage plate and said rollers rotatably coupled therebetween and seated between said inner and outer race; a shifting ring coupled to said cage for axial movement therealong for selectively aligning said rollers between said ramped surfaces to disengage said inner race from said outer race and allow relative rotation therebetween and for wedging said rollers against said ramped surface to engage said inner race with said outer race and prevent relative rotation therebetween in response to varying rotational speeds of said inner and outer races, said shifting ring including a cylindrical center opening for axially receiving said slotted portion of said inner race therein and a shifting pin projecting radially therefrom and received in said longitudinal slot of said inner race; and said cage including a cam plate projecting longitudinally from said cage ring and said cam plate including a generally V-shaped cam notch for cooperating with said shifting pin a said shifting ring moves axially along said cage.