The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 1976
Filed:
Jan. 06, 1975
Kenneth Watson, Yeovil, EN;
Westland Aircraft Limited, Yeovil, EN;
Abstract
This invention relates to a disconnect coupling for drivingly connecting separate parts of a drive shaft, and finds particular application in helicopter tail rotor drive shafts. The coupling comprises components fixed respectively to the shaft parts and being separable in a generally axial direction to enable the drive shaft parts to be disconnected, and includes retaining means automatically operative to prevent axial separation of the separable components during rotation. In one embodiment a cylindrical drive member is coupled to one drive shaft part and includes adjacent one end a radially inwardly extending flange having a central aperture for co-operation with a retaining member secured on the other drive shaft part, the retaining member being arranged to protrude through the aperture when the coupling components are drivingly connected. Internal gear teeth are provided adjacent the other end of the drive member to mesh with external teeth on a gear rotationally fixed to the other drive shaft part to transmit torque between the drive member and the other drive shaft part when the components are drivingly connected. A plurality of flyweights are arranged in the retaining member so that at least part of each flyweight is automatically extended on rotation of the coupling so that movement of the retaining member through the aperture is prevented thereby to prevent separation of the coupling components during rotation.