OVERRUNNING CLUTCH Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: mechanical engineering. SUBSTANCE: clutch member 3 is mounted in bearing on shaft 1 while clutch member 6, on splines. Clutch member 6 accommodates blocks 9 with helical projections 8. The blocks are linked to the drive for their radial movement. Engaging elements of the clutch are made in the form of cams 4, 7 whose contact surfaces are inclined contrary to the inclination of helical projections 5, 8. Cams 4 of clutch member 3 are made on ring 15 capable of limited gradual turning peripherally with relation to said clutch member 3. The clutch is engaged when clutch member 6 is moved to the position in which helical projections 5, 8 come in contact for screwing off of the helical thread. Cams 4, 7 gradually come in contact and are kept against axial recoil by helical threads. To achieve forced disengagement under load, blocks 9 are shifted by a drive to a position wherein the outside diameter of their helical projections 8 becomes smaller than the inside diameter of helical projections 5 of clutch member 3. Without the axial support, clutch member 6 acted upon by lever 12 and the axial component of the peripheral force in the contact planes of cams 4, 7 becomes disengaged from clutch member 3 and returns to the initial position. EFFECT: possibility of being disengaged under load. 4 cl, 7 dwg