Patent GB-738860-A (GB)
Title: A positive clutch
Inventor: SHENK ROBERT HENRY
IPC: F16D23/06
Filed: 1953-03-19
Abstract: 738,860. Positive clutches. AMERICAN FLEXIBLE COUPLING CO. March 19,1953, No. 7682/53. Class 80 (2). The sleeve member of a universal joint, of the type in which an internallytoothed sleeve engages externally-toothed members on adjacent ends of two shafts to be coupled, is movable in and out of engagement with one of said toothed members to act as a positive clutch and is provided with friction synchronising means and power - actuating means. As shown in Fig. 2, a sleeve 24 has internal splines 25 constantly engaging an externally toothed member 1 on a shaft 2 and is axially slidable from the disengaged position shown into engagement with an externally-toothed member 8 on a shaft 9. The engaged and disengaged positions of the sleeve 24 are defined by spring-loaded balls 28 in the member 1 engaging respectively grooves 27 and 26 in the sleeve. A multi-plate friction clutch 37 is disposed between the member 8 and a presser member 33 for synchronizing. Initial movement of the sleeve 24 in an engaging direction is transmitted by spring-loaded balls 44 carrjed thereby to the presser member 33. The frictional drag causes baulking pins 43 carried by the sleeve 24 to engage the enlarged ends 51 of slots 49 in the member 33. Further axial movement of the sleeve is then prevented until the member 8 has been brought to the speed of the sleeve 24 by the friction clutch after which the pins 43 may slide freely in the slots 49, the balls 44 retracting from a groove 45 in the member 33 and the engaging force on the friction clutch being released. The ends of the teeth on the members 8 and 24 may be chamfered to facilitate engagement and the teeth on the members 1, 8 are slightly crowned to allow universal movement. The sleeve 24 is actuated by hydraulic cylinders 59, 60 which have pistons 57, 58 interconnected by a member 56 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 55 disposed between flanges 53, 54 on the sleeve. The cylinders are supplied selectively with liquid under pressure from a pump 80 via a control valve 65 and lines 66 or 67. A relief valve 43d is provided. The valve 65 is electromagnetically operated by solenoids 97, 98, Fig. 11, selectively energized by switches 102, 103 actuated by an operator. Closing either of these switches also starts a direct current series motor 72 which drives the pump 80. Lamps L1, L3, L2, energized through switches 108, 114 operated simultaneously with switches 102, 103 indicate respectively that the clutch is disengaged or engaged and that the motor 72 is energized. Micro-switches 84, 85 actuated by cams on the member 56 complete circuits through lamps L1, L3 when the sleeve 24 reaches its end positions. To lubricate the clutch, oil is sprayed into rings 137, 138 from nozzles on a stationary casing 15 supplied through, e.g. a removable metering jet. The flanges 53, 54 on the sleeve 24 dip into oil which escapes into, and is maintained at a certain level in, the casing 15 to lubricate the actuating mechanism. Oil seals 18, 19 are provided. The bolts 142 securing the ring 138 are extended to space the member 33 from the member 1 and may be slackened to allow the members 1, 8 to move toward one another to facilitate assembly and removal of the clutch.