Rorque limiting device

• US 5,295,907 A
• Filed: 12/09/1992
• Issued: 03/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AVA International Corp (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: AVA International Corp (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Akkerman, Neil H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROLLINS, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US07/988,240
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 464/30, 464/37, 192/56 R, 251/81, 251/129.11, 251/129.13, 417/319
• US Class Current: 464/37
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 27/105 with a helical band or equivalent member co-operating with a cylindrical coupling surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 41/206 having axially adjacent coils, e.g. helical wrap-springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/04 controlled by angular speed F16D43/24 takes precedence; clutches in which the drive is transmitted through a medium consisting of small particles F16D37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/2024 the axially moving part being coaxial with the rotation, e.g. a gear with face teeth
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/2028 with at least one part moving radially between engagement and disengagement F16D43/208 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 43/22 controlled by both speed and torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/2068 Means for returning linear actuator to zero position, e.g. upon occurrence of failure by using a spring
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor

Abstract

A device for limiting the torque transmitted from a drive shaft to a driven shaft comprising a first body having a cylindrical portion and being adapted for rotation with one shaft and a second body having a cylindrical portion and being adapted for rotating the other shaft. The cylindrical portion of one body is mounted within the cylindrical portion of the other body for relative rotation with respect thereto about an axis which is eccentric to the axis of rotation of the one body. A pin carried by the cylindrical portion of the other body for radial movement with respect thereto has inner and outer ends, with the inner end held engaged with the cylindrical portion of the one body by a C-ring to allow the drive shaft to rotate the driven shaft until the torque transmitted between them overcomes the C-ring to allow the cylindrical portions of the bodies to rotate relatively to one another.

Claims

1. Apparatus for limiting the torque transmitted from a drive shaft to a driven shaft, comprising

a first body having a cylindrical portion and being adapted for rotation with one shaft and a second body having a cylindrical portion and being adapted for rotating the other shaft, the cylindrical portion of one body being mounted within the cylindrical portion of the other body for relative rotation with respect thereto about an axis which is eccentric to the axis of rotation of the one body,

a pin carried by the cylindrical portion of the other body for radial movement with respect thereto, said pin having inner and outer ends, and

means yieldably holding the inner end of the pin in direct engagement with the cylindrical portion of the one body to allow the drive shaft to rotate the driven shaft until the torque transmitted between them overcomes the yieldable holding means to allow the cylindrical portions of the bodies to rotate relatively to one another.

2. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, wherein said yieldable holding means comprises a C-spring disposed about the cylindrical portion of the other body to engage the outwardly facing end of the pin.