Unidynamics Corporation

Umc Industries, Inc.

Thomas C Kilwin

An internal overload clutch assembly is provided for connecting rotating and rotatable members during normal operation and for disconnecting same when a maximum predetermined torque is exceeded, all of the operating components being mounted within an enclosed housing and including a rotatable member which is rotatably mounted within the housing and has output means extending outside the housing to perform mechanical operations. A rotating member is rotatably mounted on the rotatable member in the housing and is operatively connected to a power source for predetermined rotational movement thereof. An internal overload clutch assembly cooperates with the rotating and rotatable members within the housing and includes drive and driven collars, the drive collar being attached to the rotating member while the driven collar is attached to the rotatable member, the drive and driven collars being coupled and uncoupled relative to one another through axially shiftable detents which couple the drive and driven collars together during normal operation, while uncoupling the drive and driven collars when an excessive predetermined torque is encountered in performing prescribed mechanical operations outside of the housing.

Internal overload clutch assembly

Torque limiting clutch comprising a driving member and driven member bearing mounted together, with the driving member having a flange integrally extending from its one end, and having locating slots therein, for accommodating a series of ball detents, and with a spring and adjustable nut biasing against the detents for forcing them into a seating relationship upon bearing seats provided upon a rotatable member formed integrally of the driven member; a structured support connects with the rotatable member and extends concentrically along the length of the driving member, and provides support for the adjustable screws and springs mounted therein, with the structured support further furnishing enclosure for these operating components of the clutch for assuring their freedom from contamination during routine clutch usage and operation. Various races are biased against the ball detents and assure the distribution of uniform pressure against the dentents in their adjustable relationship with the rotatable member of the driving member, and provide freedom for shifting of the detents as they are unseated during clutch disconnection. Various rods and a displacement plate are connected to the races and are shiftable during clutch disconnection so that a micro or other switch can be actuated for shutting off the operations of the connected machinery when excessive torque has been encountered and clutch disconnection occurs.

Torque limiting clutch

A torque limiting overload device, or clutch, and suitable for use between a shaft, flange, or the dial for automated machinery, or indexing machine, a drive or rotating member imparting turning or rotational force to a driven or rotatable member, the rotatable member incorporates a series of detent seats in which ball detents held by the driving member are normally seated and effect a simultaneous rotation between these two members; a suspension plate holds the detent balls with respect to the driving member with both the suspension plate and the seat of the rotatable member being in contact with each detent ball on the same axially disposed side and therein prevent damage to the balls as they are unseated upon the couplings countering a predetermined excessive torque. A bearing is urged by means of a spring against a bearing race that places pressure upon the ball detents to maintain their seating within the detent seats, with adjustments to the spring providing for a variation in the amount of pressure exerted upon the detent balls and therefore the degree of torque necessary to effect a decoupling of its torque limiting assembly.

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Bridgeton, MO, United States of America

Thomas C Kilwin