Gordon D Tichiaz

US Patent:

52576850, Nov 2, 1993

Filed:

Mar 5, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/847768

Inventors:

Gordon D. Tichiaz - Avon CT
Robert Telakowski - Fairlawn NJ

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

F16D 4112
F16D 4304
F02N 1500

US Classification:

192 46

Abstract:

A pneumatic starter (10) incorporates a pawl and ratchet clutch assembly (50) having a ratchet member (46) mounted to a drive member (40) powered by an air expansion turbine (20), and a plurality of pawls (48) disposed circumferentially about the ratchet member (46) and operable in engagement therewith to transmit rotational drive torque from the drive member (40) to a driven member (60). Each of the pawls (48) is supported on a pivot pin (54) for pivotal movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet member (46) and translation between a engaged and drive position and a disengaged and retracted position to effectuate a change in the location of the center of gravity (93) of the pawl relative to its pivot axis (55). Preload springs (54) are provided for biasing the pawls (48) to pivot radially inwardly into engagement with the ratchet member (46). A torsion spring (82) is disposed in operative association with each pawl (48) for shifting its associated pawl from its engaged and drive position to its disengaged and retracted position upon lift-off of the pawl from the ratchet member.

US Patent:

52460940, Sep 21, 1993

Filed:

Mar 5, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/846118

Inventors:

Donald E. Army - Springfield MA
Gordon D. Tichiaz - Avon CT

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

F16D 4112
F16D 4314

US Classification:

192 46

Abstract:

A pneumatic starter (10) incorporates a pawl and ratchet clutch assembly (50) having a ratchet member (46) mounted to a drive member (40) powered by an air expansion turbine (20), and a plurality of pawls (48) disposed circumferentially about the ratchet member (46) and operable in engagement therewith to transmit rotational drive torque from the drive member (40) to a driven member (60). Each of the pawls (48) is supported on a pivot pin (52) for pivotal movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet member (46) about its pivot axis (55). Preload springs (54) are provided for biasing the pawls (48) to pivot radially inwardly into engagement with the ratchet member (46). A weight ball (82) is disposed in a slot (80) extending along each pawl (48) so as to define a travel path between the toe end (47) and the heel end (48) thereof. As the ball (82) rolls along the travel path in response to the rotational speed of the driven member (60), the center of gravity (93) of the pawl shifts relative to its pivot axis (55).