Ntn Corporation

Randall K King

Russell E Monahan

Jonathan Mark Adler

Robert W Frayer, Jr

Thomas W Houtman

Mary-Jo A Liston

John R Miller

Scott A Wojan

Jared Isamu Taketa

Bryce W Babcock

Katsumi Furutani

Barry C Titus

William Allison

Steve Russell

Mark D Solvie

Thomas E Vesbit

The over-running clutch pulley () of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sheave member (), a hub member () located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, and a clutch member (), which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device () and an output device (). The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section () adapted to engage the input device, and a sheave clutch section () defining a sheave clutch surface (). Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section () adapted to engage the output device, and a hub clutch section () defining a hub clutch surface (). In the preferred embodiment, either the sheave clutch surface, the hub clutch surface, or both, have a surface microhardness greater than the hub output section.

Over-running clutch pulley with increased surface microhardness

The over-running clutch pulley () includes a sheave member (), a hub member () a clutch member (), and a coating (), which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device () and an output device (). The sheave member () preferably includes a sheave input section () defining a sheave input surface () adapted to engage the input device (), and a sheave clutch section () defining a sheave clutch surface (). Similarly, the hub member () preferably includes a hub output section () defining a hub output surface () adapted to engage the output device (), and a hub clutch section () defining a hub clutch surface (). The coating () is disposed on the sheave input surface (), the sheave clutch surface (), the hub output surface (), and the hub clutch surface (), which protects against substantial corrosion and increases the wear resistance of these surfaces, while minimizing the cost of the over-running clutch pulley ().

Over-running clutch pulley with coating material

The over-running clutch pulley of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sheave member (), a hub member () located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, a clutch member (), a clutch lubricant () located near the clutch member, a bearing member () located between the sheave member and the hub member, and a bearing lubricant () located near the bearing member, which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device () and an output device (). The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section () adapted to engage the input device, and a sheave clutch section () defining a sheave clutch surface (). Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section () adapted to engage the output device, and a hub clutch section () defining a hub clutch surface (). The clutch lubricant () and the bearing lubricant () preferably include a base material selected from the group comprising ether, esther, and mineral oil.

Over-running clutch pulley with clutch and bearing lubricant

The over-running clutch pulley of the preferred embodiments of the invention includes a sheave member defining a sheave input surface adapted to engage an input device, a hub member defining a hub output surface adapted to engage an output device, and a clutch cartridge. The clutch cartridge includes a sheave engagement sleeve coupled to a sheave cartridge surface of the sheave member, a hub attachment sleeve coupled to a hub cartridge surface of the hub member, and a coil spring having the first end attached to the hub attachment sleeve. The coil spring is adapted to engage the sheave engagement sleeve upon the acceleration of the sheave member in a first rotational direction relative to the hub member, and to disengage the sheave engagement sleeve upon the deceleration of the sheave member in the first rotational direction relative to the hub member.

Over-running clutch pulley with clutch cartridge

The over-running clutch pulley of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sheave member, a hub member located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, a spring member, and a stop surface, which cooperate to rotationally engage an input device and an output device. The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section adapted to the engage the input device, and a sheave clutch section defining a sheave clutch surface. Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section adapted to engage the output device, and a hub clutch section defining a hub clutch surface. The stop surface functions to engage the spring member and to transfer some torque from the sheave member to the hub member during the acceleration of the sheave member in the first rotational direction relative the hub member.

Over-running clutch pulley with shortened depth

An over-running clutch pulley of the preferred embodiment includes a sheave member, a hub member located substantially concentrically within the sheave member, a sealing member, and a clutch member, which cooperate to rotationally engage the drive belt and the cylindrical shaft. The sheave member preferably includes a sheave input section adapted to engage the input device, a sheave clutch section defining a sheave clutch surface, and a sheave flange element. Similarly, the hub member preferably includes a hub output section adapted to engage the output device, a hub clutch section defining a hub clutch surface, and a hub lip element. The sealing member preferably includes a seal outer section frictionally engaged with the sheave flange element, and a seal inner section slidably engaged with the hub lip element. The sealing member preferably functions to substantially seal a cavity defined by the sheave flange element and the hub lip element.

Over-running clutch pulley with composite sealing member

An over-running cluch pulley in which a pulley sheave and hub cooperate to define a composite inner cylindrical surface and in which a mechanism adds compliance to the system in order to lessen the abruptness of lock-on in the system.

Complaint one way over-running clutch pulley

An over-running clutch pulley in which an input hub and output hub are compliantly coupled to soften the transition between the unlocked and locked state of the over-running clutch pulley.

Compression spring complaint one-way over-running clutch pulley

A flexible coupling assembly installed between a driving member and a driven machine or device. The flexible coupling assembly includes a one-way over-running clutch mechanism incorporated therein and transfers torque from the driving member to the driven device, while compensating for any angular and offset misalignment between two coupling members. The clutch mechanism provides driving torque in one rotational direction and over-running capability in the other, thereby accommodating large torque fluctuations from the driving member. This clutch mechanism is integrated within an intermediate housing assembly that is easily coupled between two jaw-type shaft couplings. Because the present invention eliminates the need for an intermediate shaft between the flexible coupling and a separate clutch mechanism, it further simplifies the installation of the assembly while reducing the overall space required.

One-way over-running flex coupling

A two speed pulley assembly comprised of a sheave, a brake member, an output member, and a brake. The sheave receives a rotational input and also includes a series of carrier arms which cooperate to define a circle which is coaxially with the sheave. Rollers are rotatably supported on said carrier arms. A braking member is rotatably supported relative to said sheave and includes portions defining a first raceway in contact with the rollers. An output sleeve is also rotationally supported relative to the sheave. The output sleeve includes portions defining a second raceway in contact with the rollers. The brake inhibits rotation of the braking member when engaged while permitting rotation thereof when disengaged. Mounted between the sheave and the output sleeve is a one-way clutch bearing. The clutch bearing engages when rotation of the sheave attempts to or begins to overrun rotation of the sleeve. During use, the sheave drives the output sleeve through the rollers at a rotational rate greater than that of the sheave when the brake is engaged. When the brake is disengaged, the sheave drives the output sleeve through the one-way clutch bearing at a one-to-one ratio. In this way the present invention provides two different driving speeds from a single belt pulley assembly thereby increasing the electrical output of an alternator at low engine speeds. Alternatively, the input and output member may be reversed to provide a speed reduction mechanism.

Two speed traction drive pulley system

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a flexible coupling assembly installed between a driving member and a driven machine or device. The flexible coupling assembly includes a one-way over-running clutch mechanism incorporated therein and transfers torque from the driving member to the driven device, while compensating for any angular and offset misalignment between two coupling members. The clutch mechanism provides driving torque in one rotational direction and over-running capability in the other, thereby accommodating large torque fluctuations from the driving member. This clutch mechanism is integrated within an intermediate housing assembly that is easily coupled between two jaw-type shaft couplings. Because the present invention eliminates the need for an intermediate shaft between the flexible coupling and a separate clutch mechanism, it further simplifies the installation of the assembly while reducing the overall space required.

A variable speed drive device for mounting to a rotatable shaft and being driven by first and second belts. The device includes a first pulley of a first diameter and a second pulley of a second diameter, each engaging one of the belts. The first pulley mounts directly to the shaft via a mounting hub extending laterally therefrom. The second pulley is positioned radially outward of the hub and a bearing is located between the two. Also located between the two is a clutch mechanism that engages when the second pulley tries to rotates faster than the first pulley. In this manner, the first pulley drives the shaft at a first speed when the first pulley is rotating faster than the second pulley and the second pulley drives the shaft at a second speed when the second pulley is trying to rotate faster than the first pulley.

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Southfield, MI, United States of America

Randall K King