Releasable drive arrangement
View Patent ↗A drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, a disconnect device operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and a transmission device for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft.
1. A drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, disconnect means operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and transmission means for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the clutch arrangement comprises a dog clutch.
3. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission means comprises a flange mounted upon the drive shaft and rotatable therewith, the interrupt shaft being engageable with the flange to urge the flange and drive shaft for axial movement, when desired.
4. An arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein a bearing arrangement is provided on the interrupt shaft to accommodate rotation of the flange whilst the interrupt shaft is in engagement therewith.
5. An arrangement according to claim 4 , wherein the bearing arrangement is lubricated using lubricating oil impinging, in use, upon the flange, a weir provided on the flange serving to collect the oil, and a series of openings being provided to deliver the oil to the bearing arrangement.
6. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the disconnect means comprises a scroll or spiral formation provided upon the interrupt shaft, and a plunger movable between a first position in which it is spaced from the scroll or spiral formation and a second position in which engagement between the plunger and the scroll or spiral formation results in axial movement of the interrupt shaft.
7. An arrangement according to claim 6 , wherein the plunger is spring biased towards its second position, and is held in its first position by a retainer.
8. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the interrupt shaft is of two-part form, interconnected by a threaded connection, a first one of the parts having a stop provided thereon co-operable with a plunger upon movement of the plunger from a first position to a second position to resist rotation of the first part and causing axial movement thereof.
9. An electrical generator comprising a rotor and a stator, and a releasable drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, disconnect means operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and transmission means for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft, the releasable drive arrangement being operable to transmit drive to the rotor.