US 12,281,679 B2
Centrifugal force enabled clutch and aircraft
Yuriy Gmirya, Woodbridge, CT (US)
Assigned to Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed on Jul. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/353,664.
Prior Publication US 2025/0027542 A1, Jan. 23, 2025
Int. Cl. F16D 43/18 (2006.01); B64C 27/06 (2006.01); B64D 41/00 (2006.01); F16D 41/07 (2006.01); F16D 45/00 (2006.01); F16D 41/06 (2006.01); F16D 43/14 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 43/18 (2013.01) [B64C 27/06 (2013.01); B64D 41/00 (2013.01); F16D 41/07 (2013.01); F16D 41/076 (2013.01); F16D 45/00 (2013.01); F16D 2041/0603 (2013.01); F16D 2043/145 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clutch comprising:
an inner ring;
an outer ring;
a plurality of sprags positioned between the inner ring and the outer ring; and
a spring biasing each of the plurality of sprags towards the outer ring;
wherein, according to the rotation of the outer ring and the bias of the spring, each of the plurality of sprags are movable between a disengaged position in which the sprags are spaced from the inner ring and the outer ring does not rotate with the inner ring, and an engaged position in which the sprags overcome the bias of the spring and the sprags contact both the inner ring and the outer ring such that the inner ring and the outer ring are rotationally unitized.