Torque limiter

Claim 1

An elastic pressure device for torque-transmitting balls in a torque limiter of a construction such that a plurality of axially extending arcuate recesses are formed on the outer periphery of an interlocking ferrule fitted over a rotatable driving member; a coupling member having a plurality of radially extending grooves formed on the inner periphery thereof and matched with said arcuate recesses of said interlocking ferrule on said rotatable driving member; said coupling member being connected to an interlocking ferrule fitted over a driven member opposed to said driving member, each of said radial grooves having a torque-transmitting ball fitted therein so as to only move radially and rotate about its own axis while it is confined in motion in the revolving and axial directions, said torque-transmitting balls being biased diametrically inwardly by an elastic pressure means, which comprises a compression spring, a pressure nut, a first taper thrust ring, a group of small thrust balls, and a second taper thrust ring, so that the torque is transmitted from said rotatable driving member to said driven member and the two members are integrally driven together, said coupling cylinder being fastened by clamping bolts to said interlocking ferrule fitted over said driven member; said torque-transmitting balls being pressed against an inclined edge of said second taper thrust ring fitted in a cylindrical skirt of said couplng cylinder by said elastic pressure means, with a pressure exerted as said first taper thrust ring and said group of small thrust balls being pressed against an inclined edge on the inside of said second taper thrust ring by said compression spring under the urging of a pressure nut threadedly engaged with the outside of an inner sleeve portion of said coupling cylinder.