F16D41/063

Bi-directional wedge clutch with lockup prevention

A wedge clutch, including: a hub; a carrier; a first wedge plate segment radially located between the hub and the carrier and including a first ramp sloping radially inwardly in a first circumferential direction and including a first circumferential end; a second wedge plate segment radially located between the hub and the carrier and including a second ramp sloping radially inwardly in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction and including a second circumferential end. In a free-wheel mode of the wedge clutch, one of the hub or the carrier is rotatable with respect to the other of the hub or the carrier. In a locked mode of the wedge clutch: the hub and the carrier are non-rotatably connected for rotation of the hub in the first circumferential direction; and the first and second circumferential ends are in contact.

Bi-directional wedge clutch with lockup prevention

A wedge clutch, including: a hub; a carrier; a first wedge plate segment radially located between the hub and the carrier and including a first ramp sloping radially inwardly in a first circumferential direction and including a first circumferential end; a second wedge plate segment radially located between the hub and the carrier and including a second ramp sloping radially inwardly in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction and including a second circumferential end. In a free-wheel mode of the wedge clutch, one of the hub or the carrier is rotatable with respect to the other of the hub or the carrier. In a locked mode of the wedge clutch: the hub and the carrier are non-rotatably connected for rotation of the hub in the first circumferential direction; and the first and second circumferential ends are in contact.

One-way wedge clutch having radially outer ramps

A one-way wedge clutch, including: an axis of rotation; an inner race having a first radially outwardly facing surface; an outer race located radially outward of the inner race and including a first radially inwardly facing surface with a plurality of radially inwardly extending ramps; at least one wedge plate radially disposed between the inner and outer races and including: at least one second radially inwardly facing surface; and, at least one second radially outwardly facing surface including a plurality of radially outwardly extending ramps engaged with the plurality of radially inwardly extending ramps; and, at least one resilient element: engaged with the at least one wedge plate; and, urging at least a portion of the at least one second radially inwardly facing surface toward at least a portion of the first radially outwardly facing surface.

One-way wedge clutch having radially outer ramps

A one-way wedge clutch, including: an axis of rotation; an inner race having a first radially outwardly facing surface; an outer race located radially outward of the inner race and including a first radially inwardly facing surface with a plurality of radially inwardly extending ramps; at least one wedge plate radially disposed between the inner and outer races and including: at least one second radially inwardly facing surface; and, at least one second radially outwardly facing surface including a plurality of radially outwardly extending ramps engaged with the plurality of radially inwardly extending ramps; and, at least one resilient element: engaged with the at least one wedge plate; and, urging at least a portion of the at least one second radially inwardly facing surface toward at least a portion of the first radially outwardly facing surface.

PUMP WITH RESIDUAL MAGNETISM ATTENUATION

A pump includes a stator and a rotor axially between a fluid inlet section and a fluid outlet section. The stator includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending legs; and a plurality of electrical windings disposed about the radially inwardly extending legs. The attenuating circuit includes a capacitor electrically wired in parallel with each winding and at least one switch electrically connected to the capacitor. During energization of the electrical winding, the switch electrically connects the capacitor to an electrical ground and the electrical power source creates a voltage in the capacitor. Following a de-energization of the plurality of electrical windings, the switch isolates the capacitor from the electrical ground and the capacitor discharges the voltage through the electrical winding, creating a decaying oscillating current that attenuates residual magnetization in the winding.

PUMP WITH RESIDUAL MAGNETISM ATTENUATION

A pump includes a stator and a rotor axially between a fluid inlet section and a fluid outlet section. The stator includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending legs; and a plurality of electrical windings disposed about the radially inwardly extending legs. The attenuating circuit includes a capacitor electrically wired in parallel with each winding and at least one switch electrically connected to the capacitor. During energization of the electrical winding, the switch electrically connects the capacitor to an electrical ground and the electrical power source creates a voltage in the capacitor. Following a de-energization of the plurality of electrical windings, the switch isolates the capacitor from the electrical ground and the capacitor discharges the voltage through the electrical winding, creating a decaying oscillating current that attenuates residual magnetization in the winding.

Electromagnetic selectable wedge clutch

A wedge clutch selectively locks an outer race to an inner race to transfer torque therebetween. The inner race includes a first plurality of tapered surfaces, tapered in a first direction about an axis. The inner race includes a second plurality of tapered surfaces, tapered in an opposite second direction about the axis. At least two wedge plates are provided, each having a plurality of segments with a tapered inner surface disposed on a respective one of the first or second plurality of tapered surfaces of the inner race. The tapered inner surfaces of the wedge plates are tapered in opposite directions. An electromagnetic actuator is provided for each of the wedge plates. Electrically energizing one of the actuators constricts that respective wedge plate, unwedging the wedge plate from between the inner race and outer race and to no longer inhibit relative rotation therebetween.

Electromagnetic selectable wedge clutch

A wedge clutch selectively locks an outer race to an inner race to transfer torque therebetween. The inner race includes a first plurality of tapered surfaces, tapered in a first direction about an axis. The inner race includes a second plurality of tapered surfaces, tapered in an opposite second direction about the axis. At least two wedge plates are provided, each having a plurality of segments with a tapered inner surface disposed on a respective one of the first or second plurality of tapered surfaces of the inner race. The tapered inner surfaces of the wedge plates are tapered in opposite directions. An electromagnetic actuator is provided for each of the wedge plates. Electrically energizing one of the actuators constricts that respective wedge plate, unwedging the wedge plate from between the inner race and outer race and to no longer inhibit relative rotation therebetween.

Clutch with selectable locked and one-way modes
10808774 · 2020-10-20 · ·

A clutch includes an inner race, an outer race defining an inner cam surface having lobes and valleys, and a plurality of wedge segments configured to selectively couple the inner and outer races. The wedge segments are circumferentially arranged around the inner race with each segment disposed between adjacent ones of the lobes and valleys. Each segment is circumferentially movable towards the adjacent lobe to increase friction with the inner race and towards the adjacent valley to decrease friction with the inner race. A cage is configured to drive the circumferential movement of the wedge segments. Rotation of the cage relative to the outer race in a first direction permits overrunning of the inner race in a second direction that is opposite the first direction while a second set of the segments locks the inner race from rotating in the first direction relative to the outer race.

Clutch with selectable locked and one-way modes
10808774 · 2020-10-20 · ·

A clutch includes an inner race, an outer race defining an inner cam surface having lobes and valleys, and a plurality of wedge segments configured to selectively couple the inner and outer races. The wedge segments are circumferentially arranged around the inner race with each segment disposed between adjacent ones of the lobes and valleys. Each segment is circumferentially movable towards the adjacent lobe to increase friction with the inner race and towards the adjacent valley to decrease friction with the inner race. A cage is configured to drive the circumferential movement of the wedge segments. Rotation of the cage relative to the outer race in a first direction permits overrunning of the inner race in a second direction that is opposite the first direction while a second set of the segments locks the inner race from rotating in the first direction relative to the outer race.