Dual action magnetic brakes and related methods are provided. In one aspect, such a brake includes a housing, a rotatable shaft extending through the housing, and a braking assembly in the housing. The braking assembly includes a coil and a braking member. The coil can generate a magnetic field when energized with electrical current. The braking member, and one or more flexible members attached thereto, can move in response to the presence or absence of the magnetic field to facilitate rotation or non-rotation of the shaft.

Dual action magnetic brakes and related methods are provided. In one aspect, such a brake includes a housing, a rotatable shaft extending through the housing, and a braking assembly in the housing. The braking assembly includes a coil and a braking member. The coil can generate a magnetic field when energized with electrical current. The braking member, and one or more flexible members attached thereto, can move in response to the presence or absence of the magnetic field to facilitate rotation or non-rotation of the shaft.

A knockdown, portable lift is relatively compact and lightweight for transport and use where there is no existing means for lifting a load between a lower surface and an upper surface or where the existing means cannot be used. Components of the lift are stored in a base portion of the lift and are assembled on site for forming a lift frame extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A platform and drive assembly are supported on the lift frame and are driven together up and down tracks on each side of the lift frame using a rotary drive, such as a hand crank or electric motor, to power the drive assembly. The drive assembly is operable by a person on or off the platform from either the upper or lower surface or traversing stairs over which the platform is moving. The drive assembly incorporates a unique overspeed braking system and a unique clutch arrangement.

A knockdown, portable lift is relatively compact and lightweight for transport and use where there is no existing means for lifting a load between a lower surface and an upper surface or where the existing means cannot be used. Components of the lift are stored in a base portion of the lift and are assembled on site for forming a lift frame extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A platform and drive assembly are supported on the lift frame and are driven together up and down tracks on each side of the lift frame using a rotary drive, such as a hand crank or electric motor, to power the drive assembly. The drive assembly is operable by a person on or off the platform from either the upper or lower surface or traversing stairs over which the platform is moving. The drive assembly incorporates a unique overspeed braking system and a unique clutch arrangement.

The present invention relates to a pulley structure (1) equipped with an outer rotating body (2), an inner rotating body (3), and a coil spring (4) provided between the outer rotating body (2) and the inner rotating body (3). The coil spring (4) is configured so as to undergo torsional deformation in a diameter-expanding or a diameter-contracting direction, thereby engaging the outer rotating body (2) and the inner rotating body (3) and transmitting torque, and to undergo torsional deformation in the direction opposite the direction in which torque is transmitted, thereby entering a disengaged state in which the coil spring slides with the outer rotating body (2) or the inner rotating body (3), thus interrupting the transmission of torque. The number of windings of the coil spring (4) is in a range between [M-0.125] and M (both inclusive), where M is a natural number.

In an aspect, an automotive air conditioning assembly comprising a scroll compressor and a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch enables the use of a comparatively smaller pulley (a diameter of at most 85 mm) which comparatively increases the compressor speed and hence cooling capacity at a given engine speed. The clutch requires low power (e.g. less than 5 Watts) for continuous operation.

Dual action magnetic brakes and related methods are provided. In one aspect, such a brake includes a housing, a rotatable shaft extending through the housing, and a braking assembly in the housing. The braking assembly includes a coil and a braking member. The coil can generate a magnetic field when energized with electrical current. The braking member, and one or more flexible members attached thereto, can move in response to the presence or absence of the magnetic field to facilitate rotation or non-rotation of the shaft.

Brake discs, systems, and methods may include a brake disc and a brake drum. In various embodiments, the brake disc includes a central hub, configured to engage with an axial shaft. The brake disc includes protrusions, each of which is coupled to the central hub and extends perpendicularly from the central hub. The brake disc includes expansion components, each of which is coupled to the central hub at two locations. Each expansion component surrounds an outer periphery of one of the protrusions. The expansion components define a segmented periphery configured as a braking surface. The brake drum is configured to have an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the brake disc. The outer diameter of the brake disc is defined by the segmented periphery, such that an inner surface of the brake drum is concentric around the segmented periphery of the brake disc.

Brake discs, systems, and methods may include a brake disc and a brake drum. In various embodiments, the brake disc includes a central hub, configured to engage with an axial shaft. The brake disc includes protrusions, each of which is coupled to the central hub and extends perpendicularly from the central hub. The brake disc includes expansion components, each of which is coupled to the central hub at two locations. Each expansion component surrounds an outer periphery of one of the protrusions. The expansion components define a segmented periphery configured as a braking surface. The brake drum is configured to have an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the brake disc. The outer diameter of the brake disc is defined by the segmented periphery, such that an inner surface of the brake drum is concentric around the segmented periphery of the brake disc.

A movement system for use with an overhead patient lift system includes a motor. A drum is operatively coupled to the motor. The drum is configured to be selectively driven by the motor to rotate in one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction. A lifting strap is coupled to the drum. The lifting strap is extendable and retractable with respect to a carriage of the overhead patient lifting system as the drum rotates. A manual release operatively coupled to the drum is actuatable to selectively disengage the drum from the motor to allow the lifting strap to be manually extended. Also disclosed is an overhead patient lift system including the movement system and a method for manually extending a lifting strap of an overhead patient lift system.