US2347294A - Multiple disk shaft coupling - Google Patents

Description

April 25, 1944. s. T. sMl'rH 2,347,294

MULTIPLE DISK SHAFT COUPLING April 25, 1944. s. T. sMlTl-l MULTIPLE DISK SHAFT COUPLING Filed May 4, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheetl 2 April 25, 1944. s. T. SMITH MULTIPLE DISK SHAFT COUPLING Filed May 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 .4 INVENTOR.

BY Wj mR/YEY April 25, 1944. s. T. SMITH 2,347,294

MULTIPLE DISK ySHAFT COUPLING Filed May 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV ENTOR MTM BY l

W /QrraH/vfy April 25, 1944. s. T. SMITH 2,347,294

MULTIPLE DISK SHAFT COUPLING April 25, 1944. s; T, SMITH 2,347,294

MULTIPLE DISK SHAFT COUPLING Filed May 4, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

Patente'cl 'Api'. 25, 1944 FFICE iaims.

This invention relates to an improvement in my former locking device as described in Patent No. 2,028,629, dated Jan. 21, 1936, adapting locking disks within an automatic shaft coupling unit.

The object of my invention is to provide a driving shaft coupling designed for free wheeling of one section, in one direction when an excessive rotating force is applied through the driven sectional unit.

Another object is to produce a multiple disk shaft coupling capable of locking abutting shaft sections together when rotations are caused b'y power applied through the driving unit, but will automatically release and allow free wheeling when the rotating force is excessive in the same direction within the driven section unit.

A further object is to provide a shaft coupling, simple in construction, easily and efliciently applied to any line shafting and that can be manufactured at a very'low cost.

These several objects are attained in the preferred form by the construction and arrangement of parts more fully hereinafter set forth.

Similar parts on all drawings are marked by similar numerals or letters.

Fig. l is an elevation of the assembled coupling showing the general housing arrangement.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the multiple shaft coupling taken on the line 2-2 of the Fig. 1, showing the housing formation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, except for the central shaft sections, taken on the line 3-3 of the Fig. 2, showing the general arrangement of the operating parts.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the coupling taken on the line -li' of the Fig. 3, showing the relative position of the operating lugs and connected lock disks as mounted within the housing chamber.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate details of the driving shaft lugs.

Figs. '7 and 8 show typical lock disks applicable to the coupling unit.

Fig. 9 is a modified sectional view similar to the Fig. 3, as taken on the line 3 3 of the Fig. 2, illustrating a modification of multiple units, showing the arrangement for three locking disks instead of two previously described.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line ID--lll of the Fig. 9, showing the formation and relative positions of the operating shaft lug and the disks mounted thereover.

Figs. l1 and 12 show details of the modified lug.

Figs. 13 and 14 show modified lock disk recesses to fit and operate with the triple operating shaft lug.-

Fig. 15 is further modified sectional view also similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the application of four lock disks mounted within the housing chamber.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line lli-i6 of the Fig. 15, showing the relative design and position of the operating parts.

Figs. 1'7 and 18 illustrate details of the shaft operating lug applicable to four lock disks.

Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate the modification of the lock disk recesses as required for four disks applied within the housing casing.

In general, my device comprises a cylindrical housing formed with concentric shaft bearings positioned at opposite ends thereof, each carrying a shaft section mounted therein. The cylindrical housing is xedly attached to the end of the driven shaft section, while the driving shaft is rotatably mounted within the opposite housing bearing and is provided with engaging operating end lugs for contacting and displacing the multiple lock disks as are mounted within the housing chamber, capable of locking therewith.

I will now describe more fully the detailed construction of my device, referring to the drawings and the marks thereon.

The housing A is preferably'formed of a cylindrical brake ring l and end housing caps 2 and 3 rigidly mounted on opposite ends thereof by suitable stud bolts ii. The brake ring l is formed a true cylindrical section, preferably with hardened and ground inner cylindrical surface a. Both end housing caps 2 and 3 are likewise turned cylindrical sections formed with shaft recesses b and c, respectively, positioned concentric with the brake ring axis. The shaft recess b of the end cap 2 is 'a bearing unit. and preferably is provided with roller bearings 5, and receives therein the driving shaft unit The opposite shaft recess c of the end cap 3 is fixedly mounted on the end of the driven shaft section I by means of the keys 8, which are set in the splined grooves d in the cap end collar, thus causing the housing A to rotate with the driven shaft section 'l as an integral part thereof, and as the opposing driving shaft section l rotates freely within the housing bearing 5. The driving shaft 6 is retained in a predetermined position within the housing bearing by means of an extended end collar e formed thereon. Within the housing brake ring l are rotatably mounted multiple lock disks 9, oppositely disposed within the cylindrical housing i chamber B. The locking disks 8 are formed of a diameter slightly smaller than the inclosing brake ring surface a, thus allowing a slight sidewise displacement therein. One edge f of each lock disk is cut away along an arc less than a semi-circle, forming opposing contact points g on opposite disk edges, designed and positioned to contact the ring surface a at a predetermined locking angle wheneverrsaid disks were so displaced by an externally applied force. Each disk 9 is provided with an elongated central recess III having one side wall h designed to form a centralizing contact shoulder k, symmetrically posi tioned with and parallel to the opposite disk recess wall m. The collar e of the driving shaft 8 is provided with a flattened cylindrical turning lug II extended aximetrically therefrom, and integral therewith, positioned symmetrically across the collar face. The turning lug II is formed of the full collar diameter and of dimensions to fit and engage the lock disk recesses I0, but allowing a slight displacement thereon, designed to engage the disk recess walls m and k when rotated thereagainst for centralizing all lock disks to a free turning position within the ring I when so rotated.

It can readily be seen that any rotation of the driving shaft 6, in the direction as indicated by the arrow n in the Fig. 4, will contact the disk recess walls m and displace all lock disks 9 to their locking positions within the brake ring I as the rotating power is applied thereto through the driving shaft section Ii, thus uniting the shaft section 6 with the housing A and conneced driven shaft section 1, transmitting all rotating power therethrough as continuous shaft section. However, if the rotating force is applied through the driven shaft section 1, in the same direction, or the shaft section 6 is stopped, the disk recess walls m and opposite parallel centralizing contact shoulders k will then engage the parallel side walls of the lug II and automatically release all lock disks 9 and centralize same within the brake ring I, allowing free turning therein, and free rotation of the housing A` and connected driven shaft section 1, independently of the driving shaft 6.

The Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modification of the same coupling extended to include three lock disks 9a, instead of the two oppositely disposed disks as previously illustrated. The driving shaft lug I la being likewise formed with a triple lug section .'r, radially positioned about the axis, one for each lock disk 9a, and the disk central recesses Illa also formed accordingly. Each lug section a: contacts its respective disk recess Wall y for sidewise displacement of same, forcing each lock disk in its locking position with the inclosing brake ring surface a, as rotating power is applied through the driving shaft 6a. Likewise, the three opposite centralizing contact shoulders z will contact the operating lug sections :r when the rotating power is applied through the driven shaft section 1a, or when the shaft 6a is slowed or stopped, thusl displacing and readjusting all locking disks 9a to a centralized position within the housing chamber, allowing free rotation therein and free turning of the driven shaft Ia independently of the shaft 6a. The operating is the same as previously described for the 'double disk construction. Both the modified triple lug and corresponding disk recesses are illustrated in the Figs. 11 to 14 of the drawings.

The Figs.. 15 .and 16 illustrate a further .moanil driving shaft 6b.

cation of my device, but extended to include four operating lock disks 9b, positioned quarterly around the inclosing brake ring I. The driving shaft operating lug IIb is formed a rectangular centralized projection, symmetrically positioned about the shaft axis, and projected through the multiple lock disk central recesses. The rectangular central d isk recess I0b is formed'with a centralizing contact shoulder zb at each corner, symmetrically positioned about the disk quadrant diameters, designed and positioned to engage the operating lug walls :cb when rotation is caused by power applied through the driven shaft section 1b, thus releasing and displacing all disks 9b to a central position and free to rotate within the brake ring surface a, independently of the One inner wall yb of the lock disks is slightly recessed to allow lug clearance from the shoulders zb and to provide driving lug contact surface s, when rotating power is applied through the driving shaft section 6b. in the direction of the arrow t shown in Fig. 16, thus forcibly displacing all lock disks 9b to their respective locking positions within the inclosng ring I, rigidly locking the driving shaft 6b with the housing A" and"7 connected driven shaft section lb. Each lug face :rb engages a separate disk recess face and operates the respective lock disks 9b independently of each other. The application and operating of the multiplelocking coupling is the same as in the former cases. Figs. 17 to 20 show the details of the operating lug and disk recesses.

Having fully described my disk shaft coupling, what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A multiple disk shaft coupling adapted for automatically releasing a connected shaft section while in motion, comprising a housing formed with a central cylindrical chamber provided with connected shaft recesses at opposite ends thereof positioned concentric with the chamber axis, a driving shaft rotatably mounted through one housing shaft recess, a driven shaft section flxedlyl` mounted within the opposite housing shaft recess integral with the housing, a series of uniformly disposed locking disks capable of engaging with the chamber walls and locking therewith, rotatably mounted within the housing chamber, said disks being provided with shouldered central recesses therethrough forming driving and centralizing means for the respective disks, a multiple sectioned driving lug formed on the inner end of the driving shaft within the housing chamber, designed to project through the multiple disk recesses and engage the respective shouldered central recess walls thereof in a manner for locking same with the housing chamber walls for power rotations in one direction, or releasing the lock disks therefrom and centralizing same for opposite directional rotations.

2. A multiple disk shaft coupling adapted for automatically releasing a connected shaft section While in motion comprising a housing formed with a central cylindrical chamber provided with connected shaft recesses at opposite ends thereof, positioned concentric with the chamber axis, a driving shaft section rotatably mounted within one housing shaft recess, a driven shaft section fixedly mounted within the opposite end shaft recess made integral with the housing section, a series of uniformly disposed locking disks rotatably mounted within the housing chamber, said disks being of a diameter slightly smaller than the inclosing chamber diameter, and with recessed edges designed to engage and lock with the chamber walls at a predetermined locking angle, each disk being formed with a central shouldered recess therethrough providing driving and centralizing shoulders thereon, a multiple sectioned driving lug formed on the inner end of he driving shaft Within the chamber recess, one lection for each lockin. disk, designed to engage e driving and centralizing shoulders of the re- -fspective disk recesses as applied thereto in opposite directions for forcibly locking and disengaging same with the housing chambel` walls.

`,tacting and locking with the chamber walls at a predetermined locking angle and provided with a centrally positioned rectangular recess therethrough forming driving and centralizing shoulders therein, a attened cylindrical section driving lug formed on the inner end of the driving shaft section positioned to engage both lock disk recesses for displacing and forcibly locking said disks with the housing walls for one directional rotation, and releasing and centralizing said disks within the housing chamber when the operating disk lug operates in the opposite direction.

4. A multiple disk shaft coupling adapted for automatically releasing a connected shaft section while in motion comprising a housing formed with a central cylindrical chamber provided with connected shaft recesses at opposite ends thereof, a

driving shaft section rotatably mounted through i one housing end .bearing recess, a driven shaft section xedly mounted within the opposite shaft recess made integral with the housing, three equally disposed lock disks rotatably mounted within the housing chamber, said disks being formed of a diameter slightly smaller than the inclosing chamber, and with a recessed edge designed for disk engagement with the chamber walls at a predetermined locking angle, each disk also being provided with tri-sectioned centrally disposed recess therethrough and formed with driving and centralizing shoulders thereon, a triple sectioned operating lug formed on the inner end of the driving shaft section within the housing chamber, designed to project through the respective lock disk recesses and engage with the driving and centralizing wall shoulders thereof for displacing and forcibly locking said disks with the chamber walls for one directional rotation of the driving shaft section, and disengaging and centralizing the disks within the housing chamber for the opposite directional rotation of the shaft within the housing.

5. A multiple disk shaft coupling adapted for automatically releasing a connected shaft section While in motion, comprising a housing formed with a central cylindrical recess provided with connected cylindrical' shaft recesses at opposite ends thereof, a driving shaft section rotatably mounted through one housing end bearing, a driven shaft section iixedly mounted within the opposite end recess made integral with the housing, four oppositely disposed lock disks rotatably mounted within the housing chamber capable of a slight sidewise'displacement therein, said disks being designed to engage the housing chamber walls at a, predetermined locking angle and provided with a square central recess with partially cut walls forming driving and centralizing shoulders thereon at the respective corners, a square operating lug form on the inner end of the driving shaft section within the chamber recess, positioned symmetrically about the shaft axis and projected through the disk recesses, designed to engage the respective lock disk central recess driving and centralizing shoulders for forcibly displacing the lock disks and locking samewlth the chamber walls for one directional rotation of the driving shaft section, and disengaging and centralizing same ,within the housing chamber for the Opposite directional rotation.

SKARDON T. SMITH.

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