Importance

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Abstract

Device (200) for releasing fluid pressure from the pressure chamber of an overload clutch (A) is disclosed including a valve (210) captured in a radial cavity (202) in the cylinder (10) of the overload clutch (A) between a shoulder (204) and a valve cover (212) held by a snap ring (226). The valve cover (212) includes an aperture (228) for receiving a ball (230) and allowing the ball (230) to move radially inwardly to push against the spool member (220) of the valve (210) to unseat its head (221) from a seat (218) but preventing the ball (230) from moving out of the valve cover (212). The ball (230) rolls on a valve actuator (232) mounted to the piston (22). When the cylinder (10) and piston (22) are axially separated by fluid pressure, the ball (230) is located in a dent (234) formed in the valve actuator (232) such that the head (221) of the spool member (220) seals with the seat (218) and prevents release of fluid pressure from the pressure chamber. When the cylinder (10) and the piston (22) move axially against the normal bias direction of the fluid pressure, the ball (230) rolls out of the detent (234) and pushes against the spool member (220) to unseat the head (221) from the valve seat (218). In the most preferred form, the valve actuator (232) is adjustably mounted to the piston (22) by a turnbuckle (238), with the valve actuator (232) and the turnbuckle (238) formed of hexagonal stock for receipt in a wrench.

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First Claim