Torque Limiting System

摘要

The present invention relates to torque transfer and torque limiting system technology and applications. This invention relates to providing improved torque limiting systems that employ tolerance rings for controlling transmitting power between a single power-input shaft and one or more power-output shafts, which can protect mechanical equipment and drivetrains from damage by mechanical overload. Relating to motor vehicle differentials, the present invention can control differentiation between two power-output shafts, or drive shafts by providing friction internal to said differential and limit “undesirable” slip or differentiation between wheels, as might occur when one wheel encounters a low-traction condition, providing a limited-slip differential.

主权项

1. A torque limiting assembly, comprising:
a center element defined by a circular cross-section and an outer wall; an intermediate ring element encircling said center element within a central bore formed therein, said intermediate ring element defined by a generally circular cross-section and an inner wall and an outer wall; an exterior element encircling said intermediate ring element within a generally circular bore formed in said exterior element, said bore defined by an inner wall and said exterior element further defined by an outer wall; and wherein said center, intermediate and exterior elements are a matched set selected from a group defined by an inner splined set and an outer splined set,
said inner splined set comprising:
the center element outer wall is defined by a plurality of longitudinal grooves in spaced relation around its periphery;the intermediate element inner wall is defined by a plurality of domes protruding therefrom, said domes configured to reside within said longitudinal grooves in said center element outer wall; andthe exterior element inner wall is defined by a smooth surface, and said outer splined set comprising:the center element outer wall is defined by a smooth surface;the intermediate element outer wall is defined by a plurality of domes protruding therefrom in spaced relation around its periphery; andthe exterior element inner wall is defined by a plurality of longitudinal grooves configured such that said domes protruding from said intermediate element outer wall reside within them.