Electro-mechanical clutch apparatus

• Main Authors: Greene, Darrell F, Dorigo, David V, Cioc, Adrian C, Steele, Sean A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2020
• 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

An electro-mechanical clutch apparatus includes a stationary member (22,122) having a center portion extending along an axis A and a stationary coil assembly (34,134) fixed about the center portion. A rotatable member (46,146) extends along the axis A and includes an annular projection (52,152) radially spaced from the coil assembly. A ratchet surface (29,129) presents a plurality of teeth disposed in axially aligned and radially spaced relationship with the annular projection. The rotatable member includes a magnetic pole piece (62,162) disposed in radially spaced and concentrically aligned relationship with said coil assembly. The rotatable member includes a locking member (58,158) pivotably attached to the annular projection and pivotable between an engaged position in engagement with one of the teeth in response to the coil assembly being de-energized and a released position displaced from engagement with the teeth and attracted towards the magnetic pole piece in response to the coil assembly being energized.