A failsafe multimode clutch assembly positioned in a powertrain of a rotorcraft. The clutch assembly includes a freewheeling having a driving mode in which torque applied to the input race is transferred to the output race and an overrunning mode in which torque applied to the output race is not transferred to the input race. A bypass assembly has an engaged position that couples the input and output races of the freewheeling unit. An actuator assembly uses pressurized lubricating oil to shift the bypass assembly between the engaged position and a disengaged position. A lock assembly enables and disables actuation of the bypass assembly. In the disengaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit enables a unidirectional torque transfer mode of the clutch assembly. In the engaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is disabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for bidirectional torque transfer.

A multimode clutch assembly is positioned in a powertrain of a rotorcraft. The clutch assembly includes a freewheeling unit having a driving mode in which torque applied to the input race is transferred to the output race and an overrunning mode in which torque applied to the output race is not transferred to the input race. A bypass assembly has an engaged position that couples the input and output races of the freewheeling unit. An actuator assembly shifts the bypass assembly between engaged and disengaged positions. An engagement status sensor is configured to determine the engagement status of the bypass assembly. In the disengaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is enabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for unidirectional torque transfer. In the engaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is disabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for bidirectional torque transfer.

The present invention aims at providing a cam clutch that prevents cams from unwanted wedging and enables smooth operation including the switching between operation modes without involving an increase in size or number of components and with a simple structure. The cam clutch according to the present invention uses first cams and second cams having different engaging directions as sprags for transmitting and interrupting torque between an inner race and an outer race. A cam interlock mechanism tilts the second cams to a disengaging direction with a tilting motion of the first cams toward an engaging direction, to separate engaging surfaces of the second cams from raceways of the inner race and/or the outer race.

A ratchet type one-way clutch includes an outer race having a pocket, an inner race having a notch, a pawl member housed in the pocket to transmit torque between the inner race and the outer race, and having a tip portion engaging with the notch and a circular portion; and a spring urging the pawl member to the inner race is provided. A central angle of the circular portion is 180 degrees or greater. An angle between a segment between both ends of an opening of the circular arc portion and a segment between the circular portion of the pawl member and a contact point at which the tip portion engages with the notch is greater than 90 degrees, and an angle between the spring and a segment between the center of the circular portion and a center of the ratchet type one-way clutch is greater than 45 degrees.

A tail rotor isolation system for rotorcraft includes a secondary engine, first and second freewheeling units, an isolation assembly and a tail rotor system. The secondary engine is coupled to the input race of the first freewheeling unit. A main rotor system is coupled to the output race of the second freewheeling unit. The isolation assembly is coupled to the output race of the first freewheeling unit and has a fully engaged position coupling the input and output races of the second freewheeling unit and a partially engaged position coupled to the input race but decoupled from the output race of the second freewheeling unit. The tail rotor system is coupled to the input race of the second freewheeling unit such that in the partially engaged position of the isolation assembly, the overrunning mode of the second freewheeling unit isolates the tail rotor system from the main rotor system.

A magnetically hinged, overrunning clutch is disclosed. Sprags containing rare-earth permanent magnets, and arranged in pairs of opposite magnetic orientation, are located within the gap between the inner surface of a hollow, circularly cylindrical shaft and the external surface of a smaller diameter, second circularly cylindrical shaft. Pairs of rare-earth permanent magnets encircling the second cylindrical shaft are located at, or just beneath, the surface of the shaft and are arranged in pairs having alternating magnetic orientation. The sprags are cylinders having a pseudo-spiral cross-section and are sized, and the ferromagnetic region located, such that when the sprags are attracted to the shaft-magnets, the first shaft may be rotated with respect to the second shaft in a first, overrunning direction of rotation, but the first shaft does not rotate with respect to the second shaft in an opposite, or lock-up direction.

A reciprocating action drive is disclosed in which a pair of magnetically sprung over-running clutches, each in overrunning connection with a driven shaft, and attached to a reciprocating lever, are joined via a direction reversing mechanism. In one embodiment, the direction reversing mechanism uses bevel gears, two of which are connected to the outer shells of the overrunning clutches. One or more intermediate bevel gears, mounted orthogonally to the axis of the driven shaft, mesh with the others to form the reversing mechanism. In a further embodiment, the reciprocating action drive is used to power a bicycle using a standard chain ring and chain arrangement and a cadence equalizing 3× epicyclic gear train. In a still further embodiment, sprung limit stops limit the range of motion of the reciprocating levers to 60-degrees, and make stopping at the end of the tread less abrupt.

A sprag one-way clutch (OWC) used within a cassette driver of the rear hub assembly of a bicycle. The new cassette driver delivers improved performance the reduction of rotation of the crank arm required before engagement within the cassette driver when the cyclist applies force to the pedals. Additionally, the sprag clutch smooth engagement minimizes friction loss during free-wheeling, therefore increasing drivetrain efficiency. These enhancements provide both safety and performance benefits by giving the cyclist greater control in moving between pedaling and free-wheeling. The current cassette driver design utilizes a sprag OWC for engagement without any modifications to current bicycle designs. A sprag cage may be used to provide a framework to support and properly position the sprags.

To provide a cam clutch including an outer ring, an inner ring provided inside of the outer ring, a plurality of cams inserted between the outer ring and the inner ring, and an annular spring. A line connecting a first abutment portion between the outer ring and each of the cams and a second abutment portion between the inner ring and the cam and a line passing the second abutment portion form an angle in a state with the cams engaging with the outer ring and the inner ring. Rotation of the outer ring and the inner ring is enabled in the respective one directions while rotation thereof is restricted in the respective other directions. A groove is formed on an inner periphery of the outer ring or an outer periphery of the inner ring.

A one-way clutch 1 includes: an inner race 3; an outer race 5; a plurality of cams 7 interposed between an inner race outer peripheral surface 11 and an outer race inner peripheral surface 13 and serving to transfer a torque to between the inner race 3 and the outer race 5; a retaining mechanism retaining the plurality of cams 7; and a spring member 15 biasing the plurality of cams 7 to torque non-transfer positions, and the retaining mechanism includes a first retainer 9 fixed to the outer race 5 and having a cylindrical retaining portion 21 retaining the plurality of cams 7 at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction, and a second retainer 29 disposed on an inner diametrical side of the cylindrical retaining portion 21, retaining the plurality of cams 7 in a swingable manner, and elastically deformable corresponding to the swings of the plurality of cams 7 when swinging in a torque transferring direction upon engagements of the plurality of cams 7 with the inner race outer peripheral surface 11 and the outer race inner peripheral surface 13.