Importance

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Abstract

A hysteresis slip clutch having an adjustable stall torque is provided. The clutch components include first and second rotors, with a housing at least partially enclosing the rotors. An annular permanent magnet is rigidly mounted on the first rotor and an annular hysteresis sleeve is rigidly mounted to the second rotor. The first and second rotors are mounted within the housing such that the magnet and hysteresis sleeve are concentrically located and axially aligned with one another within the housing. In this orientation, magnetic flux from the magnet penetrates the hysteresis sleeve and magnetic hysteresis developed within the hysteresis sleeve acts to oppose relative angular motion between the first and second rotors. The magnetic hysteresis establishes a torque by which angular motion of the first rotor is transferred to the second. A annular magnetic shunt is adjustably mounted to the housing. The shunt is movable between a first position, remote from said hysteresis sleeve, wherein the magnetic flux within the hysteresis sleeve is substantially unaffected by the shunt, and a second position wherein a substantial amount of magnetic flux is diverted from said hysteresis sleeve to said shunt, thereby reducing the stall torque of the clutch.

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First Claim