US3444972A

US3444972A - Fluid-operated clutch

Info

Publication number: US3444972A
Application number: US634607A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter H Carstensen; Donald G Davey
Original assignee: DONALD G DAVEY; WALTER H CARSTENSEN
Current assignee: DONALD G DAVEY; WALTER H CARSTENSEN
Priority date: 1967-04-28
Filing date: 1967-04-28
Publication date: 1969-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1986-05-20

Description

May 20, 1969 w. H. CARSTENSEN ET AL 3,444,972

FLUID-OPERATED CLUTCH Filed April 28. 1967 INVENTOR WALTER H.CARSTENSEN BY DONALD G. DAV v HA- 6M 1M. W

. ATTOKNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 19285 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A clutch mechanism for transmitting a high torque. A clutch shaft rotatable in either direction of which a portion can be extended in an axial direction for engagement and disengagement with an apparatus that is to be rotated.

The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism that is useful in the manufacture of glass articles; more particularly, the present invention relates to a clutch that can be extended in an axial direction and at the same time can be engaged and disengaged while under the influence of a rotational force.

The invention as herein illustrated and described is specifically adapted to the manufacture of hollow glass funnels or body members of cathode ray picture tube envelopes for television reception and particularly tube envelopes having a large overall configuration and mass. The present invention will be additionally appreciated because there has been an increase in the overall dimensions of viewing screens through the years thus necessitating more massive fabrication equipment which inherently requires more power input. More recently, the so-called wide-angle square-look tube envelopes have attained still further popularity in providing both larger and more definitely rectangular contoured viewing screens. The precisely formed rectangular tubes also require a high power input if they are to be made to acceptable tolerances.

As presently manufactured, a cathode ray picture tube envelope or bulb is made by separately fabricating a hollow glass face plate which provides the viewing screen and a hollow glass funnel which constitutes the tube portion. These parts are subsequently sealed together at complemental edges of similar contour as by thermal fusion or other sealing means.

More recently, the hollow funnel has been made by centrifugal molding action wherein a charge of molten glass is deposited in the apex area of a hollow upwardlyfacing mold and the mold is immediately rotated about its vertical axis to form the hollow funnel. In order to rotate the mold and the glass charge during the spinning operation contained therein, a substantial amount of torque is required. The accelerations achieved during the initial spinning of a televsion funnel are of considerable magnitude, hence the power input is necessarily quite large.

The instant invention now sets forth an improved clutch apparatus for delivering the required power to a centrifugal cathode ray tube funnel spinning mold.

Briefly, the apparatus of the present invention includes a fixed externally mountable clutch housing that contains in axial alignment therethrough a rotatable clutch shaft. The clutch shaft is supported by a combination of roller and sleeve bearings that are mounted within the clutch housing. In addition to its ability to rotate, part of the centrally aligned clutch shaft can be extended and contracted in an axial direction to engage and disengage the train of rotational power from a power source to a power requiring apparatus such as a centrifugal spinning mold. The axial movement of the clutch shaft is achieved by the application of fluid pressure to one side or the other of a piston that is attached to one end of the movable portion of the clutch shaft.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the transfer of power from a power source to a mold that is to be rotated under the influence of a substantial acceleration.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a power transmitting clutch that can undergo controlled changes in axial length while rotating.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an apparatus for delivering power to a centrifugal casting mold utilized in the formation of cathode ray tube funnels.

Yet another, and no less important, object of the present invention is to provide a clutch apparatus that can operate for sustained periods of time and that also lends itself quite readily to maintenance and to the replacement of parts.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and the appended claims wherein it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

On the accompanying drawing:

The single figure of the drawing shows a cross-sectioned elevational view of the present apparatus.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application in the field of glass technology and that the details of construction and the arrangement of parts illustrated in the drawing are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways not heretofore described. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or technology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not by Way of limitation.

Referring now to the drawing, an outer housing is represented by numeral 10. The outer houSing is generally of an annular configuration with a centrally-located aperture that passes entirely through the outer housing. The outer housing is normally cast to near final configuration and is made from a conventional material such as for example gray cast iron. Positioned within outer housing 10 and in axial alignment with the aperture therethrough is a clutch body 11 that is capable of rotation and which is supported within the aperture that passes through outer housing 10. In addition to its rotational capability, a portion of clutch body 11 can be extended in an axial direction regardless of whether it is rotating or motionless. The engagement and disengagement capability of the clutch mechanism is achieved by means of an extendible clutch shaft 12 that is of smaller diameter than clutch body 11 and that is almost entirely contained within clutch body 11. Thus it becomes apparent that when a rotational power source or input drive shaft such as 13 is applied to one end of the clutch assembly, torque can be transmitted through the rotatable clutch body 11 and hence redelivered at the other end in an engageable and disengageable fashion to an adjacent apparatus such as a centrifugal mold for the casting of glass articles such as cathode ray tube funnels.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, it can be seen that clutch body 11 is mounted for rotation within outer housing 10 by an upper bearing 14 and a lower bearing 15. Bearings 14 and 15 are parallel to each other and the planes of their races are normal to the longitudinal axis of the overall clutch assembly. In addition to bearings 14 and 15, a sleeve bearing 16 is aligned within outer housing and positioned between upper bearing 14 and lower bearing 15. A key 17 prevents rotation between bearing 16 and outer housing 10. The rotatable clutch body 11 is mounted for rotation on bearings 14 and 15 and also sleeve bearing 16. In this manner clutch body 11 can be maintained in precise alignment with a minimum amount of wear resulting, as will be commented upon infra. The rotatable clutch body 11 is held in axial alignment and positioned by a bearing retainer nut that is aflixed to the lower threaded portion 21 of clutch body 11. Bearing retainer nut 20 is held in locked engagement with the threaded portion 21 of rotatable clutch body 11 by nutlock 24. The clutch body 11 is additionally held in position by a bearing retaining plate 22 which is aflixed by bolts 23 to the top portion of the outer housing 10. Thus it can be seen that the rotational clutch body 11 is free to rotate while its axial movement is restricted by means of the bearing retainer nut 20 and bearing retaining plate 22. Bearings 14 and 15 are lubricated by conventional means not shown herein. Sleeve bearing 16 contains a film of oil on both its interior and exterior surfaces. The actual mode of lubricating sleeve bearing 16 will be pointed out hereinafter.

As previously mentioned, the present clutch assembly has the capability of undergoing an extension or contraction in an axial direction thus permitting it to be engageable or disengageable with an adjacent apparatus. The extendible clutch shaft 12 is mounted within an axially aligned bore positioned within rotatable clutch body 11. Extendible clutch shaft 12 is stabilized by a clutch shaft sleeve 27 which is, in turn, securely mounted withi the previously mentioned internal bore located Within clutch body 11. The internal bore is represented by numeral 25. The extendible clutch shaft sleeve 27 is also fixedly at tached to the upper end of rotatable clutch body 11 by bolts 26. The internal bore 30 of extendible clutch shaft sleeve 27 contains a series of circumferentially-spaced axially aligned splines 31 which coact with a similar splined surface on the exterior of extendible clutch shaft 12. The mating between the splined surfaces of the extendible clutch shaft 12 and the clutch shaft sleeve 27 permits axial movement and at the same time restricts any circumferential movement between the two parts.

As can be seen in the drawing, extendible clutch shaft 12 is further stabilized by a mounting ring 32 which is positioned at the bottom end of clutch shaft sleeve 27. Mounting ring 32 is held in close fitting arrangement with a cylindrical portion 29 of extendible clutch shaft 12. In addition to providing a stabilizing influence, mounting ring 32 also contains an oil seal as depicted at 33. Located immediately below and adjacent to cylindrical portion 29 is still a smaller cylindrical section 34. A piston plate 35 is attached to cylindrical section 34 by means of nut 36. Nut 36 is, of course, threaded to the lower termi nus 40 of extendible clutch shaft 12. While piston plate 35 occupies a portion of internal bore which forms the internal surface of rotatable clutch body 11, it can be seen that there is a fluid receiving chamber 41 positioned on the upper side of piston plate 35 and that there is also a fluid receiving chamber 42 positioned on the lower side of piston plate 35. Ingress and egress to chambers 41 and 42 are made by fluid inlets 43 and 44. Directing our attention to fluid inlet 43, a fluid can pass through outer housing 10 and to a circumferentially positioned groove 45 on the interior of sleeve bearing 16. Inwardly directed passages 46 carry the fluid into fluid receiving chamber 41. As the pressure builds up within fluid receiving chamber 41, it acts upon the top surface of piston plate 35 thus urging it in a downward direction. This, of course, will cause extendible clutch shaft 12 to be drawn within the overall clutch assembly. In a similar fashion a fluid can be introduced through fluid inlet 44 and communicated to fluid receiving chamber 42 by way of groove 47 and passage 48. The force of the fluid in the fluid receiving chamber 42 will act upon the lower surface of piston plate 35 thus forcing extendible clutch shaft 12 in an outward or extendible position so that it may engage an object that is to be rotated.

The proper valving associated with the ingress and egress of the fluids to and from fluid chambers 41 and 42 is of conventional means and need not be described herein.

It can also be ascertained that a constant pressure can be maintained within fluid receiving chamber 41 or 42 while the rotatable clutch body 11 is moving in a rotational manner. This is, of course, achieved by the fact that grooves 45 and 47 extend the entire way around the internal surface of stationary clutch sleeve 16.

The fluid that passes through passage 46 can also travel to a limited extent along both sides of sleeve 16 thus keeping sleeve 16 suspended in an oil cushion. O-rings such as 18 are positioned in grooves in the outside surface of sleeve 16 thus providing a resilient seal in both sides of grooves 45 and 47. In addition to sealing, O-rings 18 help in maintaining the floating action of sleeve 16. The lubricant that passes beyond the ends of sleeve 16 is conveyed into the oil housing chambers associated with bear lugs 14 and.15. By having sleeve 16 suspended in an oil bath, wear on both the sleeve 16 and rotatable clutch body 11 are kept at a minimum.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A clutch apparatus for transmitting a rotational movement from one apparatus to another comprising:

external frame means having a longitudinal axis therethrough;

an annular aperture coincident with said axis that extends through said frame means;

a clutch body positioned within said aperture and adapted for rotation;

means associated with one end of said clutch body for receiving a rotational force;

fixed bearing means interdisposed between said frame means and said clutch body, said fixed bearing means being positioned toward the extremities of said clutch body and a floating sleeve bearing positioned axially bet-ween said fixed bearing means;

an axially extendible and contractible clutch shaft mounted within said clutch body and including an end portion projecting axially therefrom;

means to prevent relative rotation between said clutch body and said clutch shaft; means connected to said clutch shaft end portion for the delivery of a torque to an adjacent torque receiving apparatus; and

fluid means coupled at one end of said clutch shaft for movement thereof in an axial direction with respect to said clutch body.

2. A clutch apparatus for transmitting a rotational force from one apparatus to another comprising:

external frame means having a longitudinal axis therethrough;

a clutch body positioned within said aperture and adapted for rotation;

fixed bearing means interdisposed between said frame means and said clutch body, said fixed bearing means being positioned toward the extremities of said clutch body and an annular floating sleeve bearing positioned axially bet-ween said fixed bearing means;

an axially extendible and contractible clutch shaft having an external end and an internal end mounted withing said clutch body;

means to prevent relative rotation between said clutch body and said clutch shaft;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending teeth positioned on the external end of said clutch shaft; and

a piston affixed at the internal end of said clutch shaft for elfecting movement of said clutch shaft in an axial direction with respect to said clutch body.

3. A clutch apparatus for transmitting a rotational force from one apparatus to another comprising:

external frame means having a longitudinal axis therethrough;

an aperture coincident with said axis that extends through said frame means and which is comprised of a plurality of circular surfaces;

a clutch body positioned within said aperture and adapted for rotation;

fixed bearing means interdisposed between said frame means and said clutch body, said fixed bearing means being positioned toward the extremities of said clutch body and an annular floating sleeve bearing positioned axially between said fixed bearing means;

an axially extendible and contractible clutch shaft having an external end and an internal end mounted within said clutch body;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending teeth positioned on the external end of said clutch shaft;

a piston affixed at the internal end of said clutch shaft for effecting movement of said clutch shaft in an axial direction with respect to said clutch body; and

fluid chamber means positioned within said clutch body and on either side of said piston, said fluid chamber means communicating :with external fluid inlets positioned in said external frame means.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said clutch shaft is held against rotation with respect to said clutch body by a plurality of axially aligned circumferentially spaced splines located on the external surface of said clutch shaft and on the interior of said clutch body.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sleeve bearing is held against rotation by key means fixed with respect to said frame means.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sleeve bearing floats with respect to said frame means and said clutch body.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the input torque to said clutch body is received by an internally splined annular orifice in said clutch body at the end thereof remote from said clutch shaft.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a plural ity of O-rings are positioned in grooves around the external surface of said sleeve bearing to facilitate the sealing and floating action thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,578,094 12/1951 Sears.

2,753,729 7/1956 Main 19286 X 3,106,343 10/ 196-3 Holland 19296 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,191,221 10/1959 France.

BENJAMIN W. WYCHE III, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.