Patent US4373620A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4373620A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Elastomeric energizer for sprag clutch
Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
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Filing: 1979-10-26
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 1999-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An elastomeric energizer for a sprag clutch provides an improved mechanism for engaging the circumferentially spaced sprags thereof with the inner and outer races of the clutch. The energizer also dampens sprag oscillations, thereby cutting clutch chatter, and avoiding localized stresses on the energizing surfaces of the sprags. In a preferred embodiment, the sprag energizer is an O-ring contained within an annular recess formed by grooves in the sides of the individual sprags.
Inventors
- 👤 T. F. Zlotek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D41/00; F16D41/06; F16D41/069; F16D41/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In a sprag clutch assembly including a pluralty of circumferentially spaced sprags, each sprag having a groove in at least one side thereof, the groove of each sprag being in alignment with the groove of each adjacent sprag, wherein the grooves define an annular recess in the pluralty of sprags in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the sprag clutch assembly, an improvement comprising a sprag energizer of elastomeric material contained within said recess, said energizer being non-integrally molded with respect to said sprags, said energizer being of relative dimension as to occupy less than the total volume of each groove, said energizer forming a band of resilient frictional contact over less than the total surface area of each groove, whereby said individual sprags do not apply bending moments to said energizer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a sprag clutch assembly including a pluralty of circumferentially spaced sprags, each sprag having a groove in at least one side thereof, the groove of each sprag being in alignment with the groove of each adjacent sprag, wherein the grooves define an annular recess in the pluralty of sprags in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the sprag clutch assembly, an improvement comprising a sprag energizer of elastomeric material contained within said recess, said energizer being non-integrally molded with respect to said sprags, said energizer being of relative dimension as to occupy less than the total volume of each groove, said energizer forming a band of resilient frictional contact over less than the total surface area of each groove, whereby said individual sprags do not apply bending moments to said energizer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The sprag clutch assembly of claim 1 further comprising an inner and an outer race, said races being coaxial and defining an annular space therebetween, said sprags being contained within said annular space, each of said sprags having arcuate race engaging portions, and a sprag retainer contained within said annular space for circumferential containment of said sprags, and wherein said retainer includes cross bars defining apertures therebetween, each of said apertures receiving one of said race engaging portions of said sprags.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The sprag clutch assembly of claim 2 wherein each sprag further comprises two side walls disposed between said inner and outer race engaging portions, each of said side walls having at least one ear protruding outwardly thereof parallel to said rotational axis, said ear comprising an extremity of one of said race engaging portions, wherein the interface of said wall and said ear defines said groove of each sprag, said plurality of grooves defining said annular recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The sprag clutch assembly of claim 3 wherein each of said side walls of each sprag has at least one of two of said ears protruding therefrom, wherein one of said ears is an inner ear comprising an extremity of the inner race engaging portion of the sprag, the other an outer ear comprising an extremity of the outer race engaging portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sprag clutch assembly of claim 4 wherein said elastomeric sprag energizer is contained within said groove defined by the interface of said wall and said inner ear, and wherein said energizer is a contracting O-ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sprag clutch assembly of claim 4 wherein said elastomeric sprag energizer is contained within said groove defined by the interface of said wall and said outer ear, and wherein said energizer is an expanding O-ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sprag clutch assembly of claim 2 wherein said groove is defined by a U-shaped slot in at least one of said inner and outer race engaging portions of each of said sprags.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sprag clutch assembly of claim 4 or claim 7 wherein the cross-section of said elastomeric sprag energizer is square.
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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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |