DEVICE FOR UNCOUPLING SHAFT-COUPLED MEMBERS

摘要

Driving and driven members are coupled by a shaft having a thin wall portion (13). A severing tool (40) is pivotally mounted at one end and a spring urges the tool towards the shaft. A solenoid-controlled latch (60, 61) normally holds the tool away from the shaft. Energisation of the solenoid (60) releases the tool (40) to enable the spring to force the tool to engage the shaft to cause localised heating of the thin wall portion to sever the shaft. A spring-loaded conical point bearing within the shaft maintains separation of the severed shaft portions. The device is useful for rapid disconnection of a high speed generator from an air-craft engine, while permitting simple replacement and resetting.