MECHANISM AND METHOD TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE A SPRAG CLUTCH BASED ON COEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION
摘要:
A clutch has an inner race, an outer race spaced from the inner race and forming a radial cavity between the races, and a plurality of sprags disposed in the radial cavity. The sprags have a different coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) from the inner race, the outer race, or both races, and a sprag cage retains the sprags at a uniform spacing within the radial cavity. When the clutch is at a first temperature, a gap exists between the sprags and the inner race, between the sprags and the outer race, or between the sprags and both races, and the clutch is disengaged. When the clutch is at a second temperature the sprags are in contact with both the races, and the clutch is engaged.
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