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:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1998
John Edward Roberts, Los Altos, CA (US);
General Dynamics Goverment Systems Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
A multi-mode rolling element clutch assembly including first and second race members and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface. The first second race surfaces define a raceway therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway. The ratchet surface portion has a multi-mode ratchet mechanism for providing first and second ratchet configurations. When the multi-mode ratchet mechanism is in the first ratchet configuration, the rolling elements may provide rolling support between the first and second race members when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member, and one of the rolling elements may engage the first ratchet surface portion when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member, thereby providing load transmission capability. When the multi-mode ratchet mechanism is in the second ratchet configuration, the rolling elements may provide rolling support between the first and second race members when the first race member moves in the second direction relative to the second race member, and one of the rolling elements may engage the first ratchet surface portion when the first race member moves in the first direction relative to the second race member, thereby providing load transmission capability.