AN OVERLOAD CLUTCH FOR PROTECTING A DRIVE TRAIN

摘要

An overload clutch (2) for a torque transmission is disclosed which comprisesa rotatable drive member (4) coaxially coupled to a rotating driven member(6). One of the drive member (4) and driven member (6), hereinafter referredto as the first member, comprises an annular band (8) delimiting a centralspace (9), the annular band (8) having a cylindrical inner face (10) providedwith at least one engaging element (12). The other one of the drive member (4)and driven member (6), hereinafter referred to as the second member, ismounted within the central space (9) and comprises a radially expandablemechanism (14) provided with at least one coupling element (16). The radiallyexpandable mechanism (14) is movable between an expanded position, where theat least one coupling element (16) is positively engaging the at least oneengaging element (12) to couple the first member to the second member forrotation together, and a retracted position, where the at least one couplingelement (16) is disengaged from the at least one engaging element (12),thereby releasing the first member from the second. A biasing means (20),preferably a pneumatic actuator, is provided for normally resiliently urgingthe expandable mechanism (14) in the expanded position, and for allowing thesame to move to the retracted position when a predetermined torque overload isapplied to the torque transmission.