Abstract:
A spring clutch includes an input drive member, a helical spring of square cross-section tightly wrapped on the drum of said drive member and an output member journalled in a fixed bearing block and including a drum of slightly smaller diameter than the drum of the drive member. The free end of the spring includes a tang which is restrained by a braking collar. When the input shaft is being driven, as by a sprocket, the spring twists helically, contracting to grip the output drum and drive the output shaft at the same speed as the sprocket. The collar is rotatably supported on the fixed bearing block and normally rotates with the output shaft. However, when the input shaft is stopped, the collar slips on the bearing block, the spring being uncontracted. This releases the output shaft and allows the shaft to be manually rotated independently of the input shaft. Another version also includes a single revolution type collar, also normally rotatable with the output and the input members but with a notch for receiving a tang of the spring. Stopping of the collar by an AC solenoid operated bar causes the spring to unwrap from the input hub. The output shaft can then be freely rotated by hand even when the input hub is continually driven.
Abstract:
The single revolution spring clutch comprises a spring wrapped around adjacent input and output hubs, a release collar for releasing the spring from coupling engagement with the input hub when the collar is stopped from rotating with the clutch assembly and a clamp type adjusting collar. The adjusting collar is clamped on the output hub and coupled, by means of a pin and slot, to the release collar. The angular relationship between the release collar and the output hub can be conveniently varied after the clutch is mounted on the shaft of a machine. The adjusting collar is clamped to that end of the spring which is wrapped on the output hub and serves to clamp this end of the spring to the output hub. The adjustment is accomplished by loosening the adjusting collar, rotating the release collar to the desired position and retightening the adjusting collar.
Abstract:
A clutch and brake assembly of particular utility where a single-revolution clutching action is desired, although not limited thereto, wherein a single helical coil spring is utilized to effect both the desired clutching and braking operation. Means are provided for causing the spring to either wind or unwind. In the former situation, the spring acts as a brake by coupling the driven shaft to a fixed hub. In the latter situation, the spring acts as a clutch by coupling the driven shaft with a rotating drive wheel.