A friction clutch for a drivetrain includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a compressible friction pack including a normally closed spring system, and an actuating device. The compressible friction pack is for transmitting a torque between the input shaft and the output shaft in a closed state of the friction clutch. The actuating device is for producing an axial actuating force to compress the compressible friction pack. The actuating device includes an opening spring for exerting an opening force, a centrifugal mass unit including a ramp, and a switching element including a counterpart ramp. The centrifugal mass unit is movable through a radial travel at a predetermined rotational speed of the input shaft. The ramp and the counterpart ramp form a ramp pairing with a ramp gradient to convert the radial travel into the axial actuating force acting counter to the opening force to compress the compressible friction pack.

A friction clutch for a drivetrain includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a compressible friction pack including a normally closed spring system, and an actuating device. The compressible friction pack is for transmitting a torque between the input shaft and the output shaft in a closed state of the friction clutch. The actuating device is for producing an axial actuating force to compress the compressible friction pack. The actuating device includes an opening spring for exerting an opening force, a centrifugal mass unit including a ramp, and a switching element including a counterpart ramp. The centrifugal mass unit is movable through a radial travel at a predetermined rotational speed of the input shaft. The ramp and the counterpart ramp form a ramp pairing with a ramp gradient to convert the radial travel into the axial actuating force acting counter to the opening force to compress the compressible friction pack.

A high-speed overrunning coupling and control assembly, coupling assembly and locking member which pivotally moves with substantially reduced friction are provided. At least one pivot projects from a main body portion of the locking member and enables pivotal motion of the locking member. The at least one pivot is sized, shaped and located with respect to the main body portion so that the at least one pivot makes contact with at least one bearing located between a pocket surface of a pocket and an outer surface of the at least one pivot to reduce friction during pivotal motion.

A selective torque transfer device is provided to transfer torque between one rotating component and a decoupled non-rotating component. The torque transfer device has an input shaft that extends along an axis and is connected to an input hub. The input shaft and input hub rotate about the axis on which they extend. A slider is disposed within the input hub and is capable of moving in a direction transverse to the axis. An output shaft extends along the axis and is connected to an output hub. The output shaft and output hub rotate about the axis on which they extend when the selective torque transfer device is in the engaged position. A link pivotally connects the output hub to the slider. The input hub is configured to rotate about its axis to create a torque.

A selective torque transfer device is provided to transfer torque between one rotating component and a decoupled non-rotating component. The torque transfer device has an input shaft that extends along an axis and is connected to an input hub. The input shaft and input hub rotate about the axis on which they extend. A slider is disposed within the input hub and is capable of moving in a direction transverse to the axis. An output shaft extends along the axis and is connected to an output hub. The output shaft and output hub rotate about the axis on which they extend when the selective torque transfer device is in the engaged position. A link pivotally connects the output hub to the slider. The input hub is configured to rotate about its axis to create a torque.

A motor-driven centrifugal pump for circulating a coolant in a primary circuit of a nuclear reactor comprises a sealed motor unit, a hydraulic part and a shaft which is immersed in the coolant, turned by the sealed motor unit and pumping the coolant by an impeller of the hydraulic part secured to the shaft. The motor unit comprises a dry stator and an immersed rotor, mounted securely on the shaft. The motor-driven pump also comprises an immersed flywheel mounted securely on the shaft between the rotor of the motor unit and the impeller of the hydraulic part, allowing a minimum slowing-down time after the electrical power supply is cut; and an immersed anti-backspin device, configured to mechanically block the rotation of the shaft in a predetermined direction.

A motor-driven centrifugal pump for circulating a coolant in a primary circuit of a nuclear reactor comprises a sealed motor unit, a hydraulic part and a shaft which is immersed in the coolant, turned by the sealed motor unit and pumping the coolant by an impeller of the hydraulic part secured to the shaft. The motor unit comprises a dry stator and an immersed rotor, mounted securely on the shaft. The motor-driven pump also comprises an immersed flywheel mounted securely on the shaft between the rotor of the motor unit and the impeller of the hydraulic part, allowing a minimum slowing-down time after the electrical power supply is cut; and an immersed anti-backspin device, configured to mechanically block the rotation of the shaft in a predetermined direction.

An apparatus for connecting a rotational drive member to a rotational driven member brakes rotation when either the torque transmitted between the members exceeds a predetermined torque limit or the rotational speed of the drive member exceeds a predetermined rotational speed limit. The apparatus includes a torque limiter configured to actuate a braking mechanism or disconnect transmission when the torque limit is exceeded, and an over-speed governor configured to trigger the torque limiter when the rotational speed of the input element exceeds the rotational speed limit. The over-speed governor may trigger the torque limiter by reducing the torque limit of the torque limiter, or by introducing rotational drag in the apparatus to increase transmitted torque.

A transaxle includes a transaxle casing, a bi-directional overrunning clutch in the transaxle casing, a friction mechanism, and a clutch-off biasing mechanism. The bi-directional overrunning clutch includes coaxial input and output members journalled by the transaxle casing, and includes a cage disposed between the input member and the output member. Rollers carried by the cage are rotatable to follow rotation of the output member. The cage is rotatable relative to the input member according to the rotation of the rollers following the output member until the rollers contact the input member to engage the bi-directional overrunning clutch. The friction mechanism applies a friction resistance to the cage to rotate the cage relative to the input member. The clutch-off biasing mechanism biases the cage to the initial position. The friction mechanism and the clutch-off biasing mechanism are distributed in the transaxle casing at first and second end portions of the cage.

A transaxle includes a transaxle casing, a bi-directional overrunning clutch in the transaxle casing, a friction mechanism, and a clutch-off biasing mechanism. The bi-directional overrunning clutch includes coaxial input and output members journalled by the transaxle casing, and includes a cage disposed between the input member and the output member. Rollers carried by the cage are rotatable to follow rotation of the output member. The cage is rotatable relative to the input member according to the rotation of the rollers following the output member until the rollers contact the input member to engage the bi-directional overrunning clutch. The friction mechanism applies a friction resistance to the cage to rotate the cage relative to the input member. The clutch-off biasing mechanism biases the cage to the initial position. The friction mechanism and the clutch-off biasing mechanism are distributed in the transaxle casing at first and second end portions of the cage.