Ultrasonic clutch
US6964327B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D28/00
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ultrasonic clutch includes a driving element, a driven element and at least one alternating current (AC) power source. The driving element and the driven element are connected to a shaft of a driving device and an output axle of a loading, respectively. At least one of the driving element and the driven element is a piezoelectric device. When at least one of the driving element and the driven element is electrically connected to an AC power source, the near-field acoustic levitation, generated from the flexural vibration of the piezoelectric resonator above the piezoelectric resonator, occurs to push the driven element away from the driving element. Thus, the output shaft of the loading does not rotate with the axle of the driving device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.