A drive unit of a top drive system includes a drive stem having a plurality of ports from an exterior thereof to an interior thereof. A plurality of sliding coupling members is disposed in the ports. A coupling collar encircles the drive stem and has actuation surfaces and recessed surfaces on an interior thereof, wherein the recessed surfaces align with the ports when the coupling collar is in a first position, and the actuation surfaces align with the ports when the coupling collar is in a second position.

A predictive system is provided and include a torque-limiter, a sensor disposed to sense a condition of the torque-limiter and a processing system. The processing system is coupled to the sensor and configured to process readings of the sensor, to calculate whether the condition of the torque-limiter is indicative of degradation or failure incidents based on the readings being processed and to determine whether an action should be taken based on a calculation result.

A bistable pitch propeller includes a ball, a spring, and a clutch module where the clutch module has a range of rotational movement between a locked end position and a released end position. The clutch module includes a detent, where the ball sits inside and outside of the detent when the clutch module is in the locked end position and released end position, respectively. In response to an input torque and a spring force from the spring, the clutch module rotates toward the released end position and the locked end position, respectively. The bistable pitch propeller also includes an aircraft blade where the aircraft blade is at the first pitch angle and the second pitch angle when the clutch module is in the locked end position and the released end position, respectively.

A planetary gear system with a sun gear, a ring gear co-axial with the sun gear, at least one planetary gear meshing with both the sun gear and the ring gear, and a planetary gear carrier which rotationally supports the at least one planetary gear. A torque clutch is supported by and connected directly between two of the sun gear, the ring gear, the at least one planetary gear and the planetary gear carrier. The torque clutch prevents relative rotation when an acting torque is below a predetermined torque value and allows relative rotation when the acting torque is above the predetermined torque value. A torque threshold adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the predetermined value of the torque at which the torque clutch slips.

A drilling device, which is adjustable at least between a clamping configuration, a drilling configuration and a screwing configuration, includes a machine housing and a machine spindle, which is drivable with the aid of a motor. A drill chuck having a jaw holder, in which clamping jaws are guided, which are adjustable with the aid of a threaded connection provided between an entrainer and a threaded sleeve is provided. A drill spindle, which is drivable by the motor via a planetary gear set, is disposed on the side facing the machine spindle and includes a sun wheel, a planet carrier, which carries at least one planet wheel, and a ring wheel, which has at least one cam, which interacts with at least one clutch element, which is fixed with respect to the ring gear in the drilling configuration. The at least one clutch element is supported with respect to the ring wheel, movable against a clamping spring force of a clamping spring, and the at least one clutch element is movably supported against a screw spring force, in the screwing configuration, the screw spring force resulting from a series connection of the clamping spring and a screw spring.

A predictive system is provided and include a torque-limiter, a sensor disposed to sense a condition of the torque-limiter and a processing system. The processing system is coupled to the sensor and configured to process readings of the sensor, to calculate whether the condition of the torque-limiter is indicative of degradation or failure incidents based on the readings being processed and to determine whether an action should be taken based on a calculation result.

An integrated torque limiter/no-back device for use in an actuator with an input shaft, an output, and a gear reduction. The device includes an input ramp, an output ramp coupled to the gear reduction, a combined ramp disposed between the input ramp and the output ramp, a first plurality of balls arranged between the input ramp and the combined ramp, a second plurality of balls arranged between the combined ramp and the output ramp, a pin, and a brake. The pin extends from the input ramp to the combined ramp and coupled to the input shaft. The combined ramp, the output ramp, and the second plurality of balls therebetween are configured to operate as a torque limiter by causing the combined ramp and the output ramp to separate and the output ramp to engage the brake when the torque from the input shaft exceeds a torque threshold.

A compliant safe joint and manufacturing method thereof. The compliant safe joint includes an input axis circumferentially connected to a motor shaft of a DC motor; a movable bridge circumferentially mounted on the input axis and slidable along a axial direction of the input axis; multiple bearings, each of the multiple bearings having an inner ring fixed to the movable bridge and having an outer ring; a stationary bridge rotatably mounted on the movable bridge and having a helicoid surface, the outer ring of each bearing being movable along the helicoid surface; and a flexible component connected to the movable bridge. The stationary bridge rotates about the input axis when a torque which exceeds a predetermined threshold is applied to the stationary bridge by the motor shaft, such that the bearings move with respect to the helicoid surface to cause the flexible component to be compressed and extended through the movable bridge.

An actuator comprises an input shaft, a sliding collar arranged around the input shaft, and an output shaft. The input shaft, output shaft and sliding collar are arranged such that a torque applied to the input shaft can be transmitted via the sliding collar to the output shaft. The actuator comprises a torque-limiting device for limiting the transmission of torque between the input shaft and the output shaft if the torque exceeds a certain threshold. The torque-limiting device comprises one or more rolling elements arranged between the sliding collar and the input shaft to allow the sliding collar to move axially relative to the input shaft and engage with or disengage from the output shaft.

A torque limiter assembly is provided and has a fixed torque member having a plurality of first retainers, a floating torque member having a plurality of second retainers, a plurality of torque transfer members between the first torque member and the floating torque member, and a shaft. A plurality of longitudinal transfer members are provided between the floating torque member and the shaft. The longitudinal transfer members rotationally fix the floating torque member to the shaft, but allow axial movement of the floating torque member. A spring member provides a force on the floating torque member to, at times, rotationally fix the floating torque member to the fixed torque member. A locking mechanism is used to adjust the force of the spring member on the floating torque member.