US3603437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Positive position brake-clutch
Assignee: Bendix Corp
•
Filing: 1970-06-08
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1990-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A pair of members have opposed spiral surfaces formed about an axis and surfaces connecting the ends of each spiral surface to form stops. The spiral surfaces are energy-absorbing surfaces and are urged apart by spring means. The members are relatively rotatable about the axis and relatively movable along the axis. One of said members has disposed therein an annular magnet having a flux path through the members and across a space therebetween. Synchronizing means activates the magnet when there is a specified angular relationship between the surfaces so that the magnet provides flux that draws the surfaces into contact over a small area which increases with relative rotation, thereby increasing the magnetic force between the surfaces and the energy absorbed by the relatively rotating surfaces to slow the relative rotation before the stops engage at a predetermined angular relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn S Spencer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D27/00; F16D27/02; F16D27/04; F16D2027/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for engaging, at predetermined angular relationships, members having relative rotation about an axis, comprising: a first magnetic member attached to one member and having a surface and stop means disposed at predetermined angles about the axis; a second magnetic member attached to the second member and having a surface contoured for mating with and juxtaposed to the surface of the first magnetic member and means for engaging the stop means, said magnetic members being mounted for relative lateral motion along the axis; means for urging the magnetic members apart so that the surfaces thereof are spaced and do not make contact during rotation; an electromagnetic device having a flux path passing through the magnetic members and across the space therebetween; and means for activating the electromagnetic device to generate magnetic flux through the flux path, said flux drawing the spaced surfaces into contact whereby a torque is exerted on the members to slow relative rotation prior to engagement of the stop means at a predetermined angular relationship.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for engaging, at predetermined angular relationships, members having relative rotation about an axis, comprising: a first magnetic member attached to one member and having a surface and stop means disposed at predetermined angles about the axis; a second magnetic member attached to the second member and having a surface contoured for mating with and juxtaposed to the surface of the first magnetic member and means for engaging the stop means, said magnetic members being mounted for relative lateral motion along the axis; means for urging the magnetic members apart so that the surfaces thereof are spaced and do not make contact during rotation; an electromagnetic device having a flux path passing through the magnetic members and across the space therebetween; and means for activating the electromagnetic device to generate magnetic flux through the flux path, said flux drawing the spaced surfaces into contact whereby a torque is exerted on the members to slow relative rotation prior to engagement of the stop means at a predetermined angular relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein the activating means includes means for synchronizing activation with the relative angular relationship of the members so that the torque is exerted over a preselected rotation prior to engagement of the stop means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein the surfaces are formed and arranged so that only a portion of each surface makes contact when the electromagnetic device is activated and the portion making contact increases with relative rotation thereby increasing the torque.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as described in claim 3 wherein the stop means are disposed at positions to engage when the surface contact is at a maximum, whereby the torque continuously increases during relative rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein one of the members is nonrotatable, and the device functions as a brake to stop rotation of the other member at a predetermined angular position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as described in claim 5 wherein the magnetic member attached to the rotatable member is mounted for motion along the axis and the other magnetic member is axially stationary.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein one of the magnetic members is slidably splined to the associated member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein the means for activating the electromagnetic device comprises: switch means for connecting a power source to the electromagnetic device; and synchronizing means for activating the electromagnetic device when a predetermined angular relationship exists between the members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as described in claim 8 wherein the synchronizing means comprises: detection means for detecting when the predetermined angular relationship exists between the members; and electronic switch means responsive to the detection means for allowing current from the power source to pass through the electromagnetic device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein the mating surface of each magnetic member is a spiral surface formed about the axis, said surfaces having identical helix angles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as described in claim 10 wherein the spiral surface of each magnetic member has ends at predetermined angular positions, and the stop means and means for engaging the same comprise surfaces connecting the ends of each spiral surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as described in claim 10 wherein the spiral surface is equally segmented and each segment is offset along the axis from the adjacent segment by an amount equal to the pitch of the segment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as described in claim 12 wherein the adjacent segments of the spiral surfaces are connected by surfaces which form the stop means and the engaging means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as described in claim 11 wherein the activating means include means for synchronizing activation with thE relative angular relationship of the members so that the electromagnetic device is activated when a predetermined angular relationship exists between the members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as described in claim 10 wherein the spiral surfaces have flat spots at the ends thereof and the activating means comprises a switch for connecting power to the electromagnetic device, the power being at a level so that the magnetic flux is sufficient to attract the magnetic members only when the flat spots of the surfaces are opposite each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A device as described in claim 10 wherein the activating means comprises: means for connecting a power source to the electromagnetic device; means for limiting the power applied to the electromagnetic device thereby limiting the current therethrough and the flux therefrom so that the magnetic members are not drawn together; and means for detecting current pulses produced when the ends of the spiral surfaces pass each other and for providing a signal when the pulses are detected, the limiting means being responsive to the signal to apply full power to the electromagnetic device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein the juxtaposed surfaces have ramp portions and stop portions, the ramp portions being the surfaces and the stop portions forming the stop means and the means for engaging the same.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |