Clutch apparatus

• Main Author: ZANONI, STEPHEN J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 10.07.1991
• Subjects: BLASTING; BRAKES; CLUTCHES; COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A one-way sprag clutch (10 or 51) for use between inner (11 or 54) and outer (13 or 52) races wherein the sprag clutch includes an inner cage (17 or 58), an outer cage (15 or 56), an energizing spring (19 or 61) located between the two cages, both cages and energizing spring having aligned openings (16,18,21 or 57,59,62) receiving suitable sprags (22 or 64) adapted to engage the interior (14 or 53) and exterior (12 or 55) surfaces of the outer and inner races, respectively. The outer cage is provided with one or more retaining clips (35 or 71), formed of a suitable resilient metallic or plastic material, circumferentially spaced around the cage; each clip having at least one downwardly and rearwardly bent tab (36 or 72) engaging an edge of the outer race and an upwardly inclined lip (41 or 77) which is received in an annular groove (42 or 78) formed in the interior surface (14 or 53) of the outer race to prevent axial movement of the clutch relative to the races. In one embodiment, the retaining clip (35) is generally rectangular and provided with a pair of downwardly extending tabs (34,36) engaging opposite edges (37,38) of the outer cage, one of the tabs (36) also being rearwardly extending; while in a second embodiment, the retaining clip (71) is generally U-shaped with only one downward tab (72) and parallel legs (67) terminating in upwardly bent lips (77) engaging the groove (78). This embodiment also has raised central portions (75) of the legs (67) which frictionally engage the interior surface (53) of the outer race (52).