Soft release control mechanism with spring clutch and viscous damping
US5182963A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20708
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control mechanism of the soft release type includes a cylindrical drum about which is concentrically arranged a helical clutch spring the coil turns of which are normally contracted radially inwardly into frictional engagement with the outer periphery of the drum, characterized in that the drum is formed of powdered metal that is impregnated with damping oil. Owing to the direction of the coil turns, the drum may be rotated only in a first direction relative to the spring, and upon radial outward expansion of the spring, the viscous film of the damping oil between the outer periphery of the spring affords controlled soft-release of the drum for rotation in the opposite direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.