Patent US3863745A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cam operated clutches with automatic lock
Assignee: Rotork PLC
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Filing: 1973-03-09
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-03-09
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to actuators incorporating a drive mechanism by which an output member is selectively operated either manually by rotation of a handwheel or by power means such as an electric motor. According to the invention the drive mechanism includes a clutch member slidably, but non-rotatably, mounted on the output member for movement in one direction to engage the handwheel and in the other direction to engage the power means. The clutch member is movable in one direction by a lifting jack against the action of a spring. One of the co-operating surfaces of the lifting jack and the clutch member is formed as a cam surface which is so shaped that the resulting force on the clutch member is always at a constant angle relative to the centre line of the clutch member and is always within the length of the clutch member.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeremy Joseph Fry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:10
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/08; H02K7/081; F; F16; F16D; F16D11/00; F16D11/14; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/04; F16K31/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In a drive mechanism which has an output shaft, power means for rotating the output shaft, and means for manually rotating the output shaft, an annular clutch member non-rotatably mounted on the output shaft and having bearing surfaces slideable axially thereon operably connecting the output shaft to said manually rotating means and said power means, a clutch ring on said clutch member, a clutch actuator associated with said clutch member and engaging said clutch ring, resilient means for urging the clutch member away from the manually rotating means, said actuator being rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the clutch member for moving said clutch member axially against said resilient means for operably connecting the output shaft to the manually means, one of the engaging surfaces of the clutch ring and actuator being shaped as a cam surface sloping towards the axis of said shaft whereby the force exerted on the clutch member against said resilient means by the actuator as it is rotated is applied at a constant angle relative to the center line of the clutch member and always intereacts the shaft within the length of said bearing surfaces so as to prevent jamming between the clutch member and the output shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a drive mechanism which has an output shaft, power means for rotating the output shaft, and means for manually rotating the output shaft, an annular clutch member non-rotatably mounted on the output shaft and having bearing surfaces slideable axially thereon operably connecting the output shaft to said manually rotating means and said power means, a clutch ring on said clutch member, a clutch actuator associated with said clutch member and engaging said clutch ring, resilient means for urging the clutch member away from the manually rotating means, said actuator being rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the clutch member for moving said clutch member axially against said resilient means for operably connecting the output shaft to the manually means, one of the engaging surfaces of the clutch ring and actuator being shaped as a cam surface sloping towards the axis of said shaft whereby the force exerted on the clutch member against said resilient means by the actuator as it is rotated is applied at a constant angle relative to the center line of the clutch member and always intereacts the shaft within the length of said bearing surfaces so as to prevent jamming between the clutch member and the output shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said manually operating means comprises a handwheel and said actuator comprises means for holding the clutch member in driving engagement with the handwheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient means moves said clutch member axially into driving engagement with said power means when said actuator is inoperative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 3 comprising a wormwheel mounted on said output shaft and freely rotatable relatively thereto, said wormwheel being drivably connected with said power means for operation thereby upon energization of said power means and said clutch member is moved into engagement with said wormwheel by said resilient means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a drive mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the engaging surface of said clutch ring is a frusto-conically shaped surface and said clutch actuator has an arm which moves over the frusto-conically shaped surface as the actuator is rotated and moves the clutch ring, and resilient means for supporting the clutch ring in its moved position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 comprising a wormwheel mounted on said output shaft and freely rotatable relative thereto, said wormwheel being drivingly connected with said power means for operation thereby upon energization of said power means, and said resilient means for supporting the clutch ring is a pawl which is engageable with the surface of the wormwheel to hold the clutch member in driving engagement with the manually operating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pawl is a resilient stud mounted in an arm extending from the actuator for engaging the clutch ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pawl is pivotally mounted on the actuator and comprises a rigid member spring urged to a vertical position for engaging the surface of said wormwheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the engaging surface of the actuator is a curved cam surface and the engaging surface of the clutch ring is a radiused underside edge thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 having a handle extending through its casing, the actuator is mounted on the inner end of the handle, the inner end of said handle comprising a shaft portion having two adjacent flats formed thereon for engagement within a bore in said actuator whereby a lost motion connection is provided between said handle and actuator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |