Patent ID: 7766751
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: F16D,G05G

Abstract:
1. A torque limiting device for an actuator having a drive shaft configured to rotate at least in part from torque provided by a user via a torque input device, the torque limiting device comprising: a first rotational plate coupled to the torque input device; a second rotational plate coupled to the drive shaft and configured to be movable along an axial direction thereof; a first spring configured to exert a first spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate; a second spring configured to selectively exert a second spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate; and a slip device disposed at least partially within or between the first and second rotational plates, the slip device configured to at least partially cause relative motion between the first and second rotational plates when the torque provided by the user overcomes the combined first and second spring forces exerted against the second rotational plate; and a spring carrier at least partially surrounding the spring, the spring carrier comprising a material with a melting point that is at least substantially known, the spring carrier configured to: