Assembly of torsional spring type roller jammer torque limiter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12169010-B2
Application number	US-202117530283-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 18, 2021
Priority date	Sep 25, 2021
Publication date	Dec 17, 2024
Grant date	Dec 17, 2024

Abstract

A torque limiter (TL) is provided for torque transmission (TT) to downstream components. The TL includes an input shaft, an output shaft and a torsional spring which is preloadable by a preload torque whereupon the torsional spring is fittable about the output shaft with the output shaft fit about the input shaft. For input shaft rotation, first TT paths proceed from the input shaft to the output shaft through the torsional spring when downstream torque of the downstream components deceeds the preload torque and a second TT path proceeds from the input shaft to an external structure when the downstream torque exceeds the preload torque.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A torque limiter (TL) for torque transmission (TT) to downstream components, comprising:
an input shaft comprising reaction faces;
an output shaft defining slots; and
a torsional spring comprising first and second tangs initially offset from one another, the torsional spring being preloadable by a preload torque to align the first and second tangs whereupon the torsional spring is fittable about the output shaft with the output shaft fit about the input shaft and with the first and second tangs respectively engaging with the slots and the reaction faces, and,
for input shaft rotation:
first TT paths proceed from the input shaft to the output shaft through the torsional spring when downstream torque of the downstream components deceeds the preload torque, and
a second TT path proceeds from the input shaft to an external structure when the downstream torque exceeds the preload torque.

2. The TL according to claim 1 , wherein:
for clockwise and counter-clockwise input shaft rotation, normal operations are characterized in that the downstream torque deceeds the preload torque, and
for clockwise and counter-clockwise input shaft rotation, a jammed condition is characterized in that the downstream torque exceeds the preload torque.

3. The TL according to claim 1 , wherein:
a first one of the first TT paths which is associated with clockwise input shaft rotation proceeds through the torsional spring in a first direction, and
a second one of the first TT paths which is associated with counter-clockwise input shaft rotation proceeds through the torsional spring in a second direction.

4. The TL according to claim 1 , further comprising a roller jammer by which torque following the second TT path proceeds to the external structure.

5. The TL according to claim 1 , wherein the input shaft comprises a cam profile.

6. The TL according to claim 1 , wherein the output shaft comprises a gear which is communicative with the downstream components.

7. The TL according to claim 1 , wherein a preload angle of the torsional spring is based on a torque requirement at the output shaft.

8. A torque limiter (TL) for torque transmission (TT) to downstream components, comprising:
an input shaft comprising reaction faces;
an output shaft defining slots; and
a torsional spring comprising first tangs and second tangs at opposite output shaft ends, respectively,
the torsional spring being preloadable by a preload torque to align the first tangs and the second tangs whereupon, with the torsional spring fit about the output shaft and the output shaft fit about the input shaft, the first and second tangs are slidable into the slots and against the reaction faces, and,
for input shaft rotation:
first TT paths proceed from the input shaft to the output shaft through the torsional spring when downstream torque of the downstream components deceeds the preload torque, and
a second TT path proceeds from the input shaft to an external structure when the downstream torque exceeds the preload torque.

9. The TL according to claim 8 , wherein:
for clockwise and counter-clockwise input shaft rotation, normal operations are characterized in that the downstream torque deceeds the preload torque, and
for clockwise and counter-clockwise input shaft rotation, a jammed condition is characterized in that the downstream torque exceeds the preload torque.

10. The TL according to claim 8 , wherein:
a first one of the first TT paths which is associated with clockwise input shaft rotation proceeds through the torsional spring in a first direction, and
a second one of the first TT paths which is associated with counter-clockwise input shaft rotation proceeds through the torsional spring in a second direction.

11. The TL according to claim 8 , further comprising a roller jammer by which torque following the second TT path proceeds to the external structure.

12. The TL according to claim 8 , wherein the input shaft comprises a cam profile.

13. The TL according to claim 8 , wherein the reaction faces face in opposite directions and are alignable with sides of the slots.

14. The TL according to claim 8 , wherein the output shaft comprises a gear which is communicative with the downstream components.

15. The TL according to claim 8 , wherein:
the first tangs are at a first end of the output shaft and oppose one another by 180°, and
the second tangs are at a second end of the output shaft opposite the first end and oppose one another by 180°.

16. The TL according to claim 8 , wherein a preload angle of the torsional spring is based on a torque requirement at the output shaft.

17. A method of assembling a torque limiter (TL), the method comprising:
aligning first tangs of a torsional spring with slots of an output shaft;
partially sliding the torsional spring onto the output shaft until the first tangs contact faces of the slots;
preloading the torsional spring such that second tangs of the torsional springs align with the slots of the output shaft;
fully sliding the torsional spring onto the output shaft until the second tangs contact faces of the slots;
providing a secondary alignment of the first tangs and the second tangs with reaction faces of an input shaft; and
sliding the output shaft and the torsional spring onto the input shaft while maintaining the secondary alignment such that the first tangs and the second tangs impinge against the reaction faces.

18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising forming the torsional spring to exhibit a preload angle based on a torque requirement at the output shaft.

19. A method of arranging an actuation system, comprising:
assembling a TL according to the method of claim 17 ;
operably connecting a power drive unit (PDU) and a gear stage to the input shaft and the output shaft, respectively; and
coupling a roller jammer connected with a housing structure to the input shaft.

20. The method of arranging the actuation system according to claim 19 , further comprising operating the actuation system, wherein:
for clockwise and counter-clockwise input shaft rotation, normal operations are characterized in that downstream torque of the gear stage deceeds a preload torque of the torsional spring and torque applied to the input shaft by the PDU is transmitted to the gear stage, and
for clockwise and counter-clockwise input shaft rotation, a jammed condition is characterized in that the downstream torque exceeds the preload torque and the torque applied to the input shaft by the PDU is transmitted to the housing structure by the roller jammer.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Tukaram Shinde Swapnil
• Babu Ramesh

Classifications

• F16D59/00

  Self-acting brakes, e.g. coming into operation at a predetermined speed · CPC title

• F16D43/02

  actuated entirely mechanically · CPC title

• F16D2121/14

  Mechanical · CPC title

• F16D43/20

  controlled by torque, e.g. overload-release clutches, slip-clutches with means by which torque varies the clutching pressure · CPC title

• F16D41/067

  and the members being distributed by a separate cage encircling the axis of rotation · CPC title