Dana Corporation

Other

Thaddeus F Zlotek

Loris J Charchian

Donald O Emmons

A sprag retainer includes a cross member central portion which is biased into contact with an inner peripheral surface of an outer race. The central portion is spaced slightly radially outwardly from axial ends of the retainer. Thus, only the central portion contacts the outer race. The axial ends provide pilot diameters to ensure that the retainer is properly inserted into the outer race. The cross member forms a spring-like structure also assisting in the insertion of the retainer.

Sprag retainer with rotational restraint

A low-cost sprag retainer is disclosed which is particularly useful in high volume applications. The retainer is formed of two generally linear wire portions which are spaced by a first distance. Cross members are placed across the linear members, spanning the first distance and then secured to the linear members. The linear members are then rolled upon themselves such that their ends meet in abutting contact to form rings. The ends are then welded together. The method of the present invention reduces production complexity for sprag retainers in high volume applications.

Wire sprag retainer

An improved sprag clutch is disclosed. A retainer for the sprags is generally U-shaped in cross-section. Legs at each axial end of the retainer extend radially outwardly of a central planar portion, which has notches to position the sprags. The U-shaped cross-section allows the use of a thin metal for forming the retainer body. A disclosed sprag has a single central spring notch at its inner periphery, and a solid contact surface at its outer periphery.

Sprag retainer

A linearly extending metallic element includes at least one relatively hard arcuate surface formed by ion implantation. The elements are utilized in an overrunning clutch and can be rollers or sprags. The clutch roller has the entire arcuate surface treated while the clutch sprag has only the opposed arcuate ends treated. In addition, tracks on the inner and outer races of a clutch can have relatively hard surfaces formed by ion implantation for contacting the rollers and the sprags.

Surface hardened sprags and rollers

An overrunning clutch includes an actuating ring to displace sprags from the race surfaces in the overrunning mode to reduce sprag wear. The actuating ring is positioned in the radial space between the inner and outer races and is cooperative with the sprag retainer to lift the sprags from engagement with the race surfaces in the overrunning mode. In a first embodiment, an actuating ring carries a plurality of circumference distributed tilt pads which are spaced axially from the sprags. Each tilt pad is pivotally mounted on the actuating ring and includes a shoe portion. The rotation of the inner race causes the shoe portion to experience hydrodynamic drag against the lubricant on the inner race surface. The drag tends to displace the ring relative to the sprag retainer and thereby contact the sprags and pivot them out of surface contact with the inner race. In a second embodiment, the actuating ring takes the form of a sleeve bushing with recesses formed in the inner radial surface. The recesses trap lubricant and create a fluid drag with the inner race surface at relatively high RPM. Again, the drag tends to displace the bushing relative to the sprag retainer and contact the sprags to lift them from the inner race surface in the overrunning mode.

Overrunning clutch with controlled sprag action

A two speed drive system for rotatable devices having large moments of inertia. The drive system has two input driving members each of which is adapted to be driven as an input drive member. One of said members being a first speed driving member an the other of said members being a second speed driving member. The two driving members are coaxial with respect to each other and carry inner races for respective one-way over-running input clutches. An output drive member is also disposed coaxially with respect to the input drive members and carries an inner race for a one-way over-running clutch. A cylindrical outer race is disposed about the inner races of the first input drive member, the second input drive member and the output drive member. One-way drive means are disposed between the respective inner and outer races to complete the clutches. The first and second speed drive member drive from the inner to the outer races while the output drive member drives from the outer to the inner race.

Dual start drive system

A backstop and standby drive coupling using a sprag-type clutch is disclosed. The coupling includes a lubrication arrangement providing oil lubrication and cooling from an external supply and internal recirculation from an internal sump. Lubrication flow paths for distributing oil to critical parts of the coupling and to control the flow of surplus oil are provided.

Coupling lubrication system

A one-way clutch assembly having an annular outer race and an annular inner race, and a plurality of sprags spaced circumferentially within the space defined by the outer and inner races adapted to connect the outer and inner races during relative rotation thereof in one direction and to permit relative rotation thereof in the opposite direction. The sprags have camming surfaces at opposite ends thereof formed on arcs having their centers located within the profile of the sprag, while the terminal portion of at least one of the camming surfaces is formed on an arc having a center point outside the profile of the sprag.

Growing community of inventors

Center Line, MI, United States of America

Thaddeus F Zlotek