Patent ID: 8727089

Claim:
A clutch device, comprising: a relay transmission structure assembly ( 104 ) including a relay coupling structure ( 204 ) having a passive side including a relay output clutch structure ( 1051 , 1087 ) arranged to engage an output-end clutch structure ( 1052 ) connected to an output end ( 102 ) when an active side of the relay coupling structure ( 204 ) is actuated by a prime motive end ( 101 ); a static housing ( 107 ); and a damping device including a clutch ( 2006 ) and a torque-limiting element ( 106 ) installed between the passive side of the relay coupling structure and the static housing ( 107 ), said clutch ( 2006 ) interacting with the torque-limiting element ( 106 ) to produce a torque-limiting force when passive side rotation speed is below a predetermined speed, and said clutch ( 2006 ) cutting off interaction with the torque-limiting element when the passive side rotation speed exceeds the predetermined speed; and wherein the clutch ( 2006 ) interacts with the torque-limiting element ( 106 ) upon rotation of said prime motive end to initially impede movement of the passive side of the relay coupling structure ( 204 ), thereby causing the active side of the relay coupling structure ( 204 ) to move relative to the passive side and said relay output clutch structure ( 1051 , 1087 ) to engage said output end clutch structure ( 1052 ), said clutch ( 2006 ) ceasing to interact with the torque-limiting element ( 106 ) when the passive side of the relay coupling structure ( 204 ) has reached a predetermined speed to cut a connection between the relay transmission structure assembly ( 104 ) and the limit-torque sliding damping device ( 106 ).