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:
May. 18, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2002
Larry L. Howell, Orem, UT (US);
Nathan B. Crane, Rocky Hill, CT (US);
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to clutches for selectively transmitting torque, and more particularly, to compliant centrifugal clutches. A compliant clutch ( ) may have a plurality of engagement members ( and ), preferably at least three, and more preferably at least six. Each engagement member has an outer edge that is movable toward an interior surface of a receiving member ( ), such as a drum. Flexible segments ( and ) may connect the engagement members to each other. In embodiment, the engagement members are arrayed around a hub, but detached from the hub to form an expandable engagement portion. Both aggressive and non-aggressive engagement members are provided. In another embodiment, the engagement members are affixed by flexible segments to the hub to form an extensible engagement portion. In yet another embodiment, a first and a second arm, each of which contains multiple engagement members connected by flexible segments, extend from the hub to provide non-aggressive torque transfer to the drum.