Overload clutch assembly for hoist
A clutch assembly for a hoist may comprise a first epicyclic gear train and a first set of friction disks rotationally coupled to the first epicyclic gear train. A second set of friction disks may be in operable communication with the first set of friction disks. Torque may be transferred between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks by means of a friction coupling between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks. A pinion may be rotationally coupled to the second set of friction disks. A splined portion of the pinion may form an output of the clutch assembly.
1. A clutch assembly for a hoist, comprising:
a first epicyclic gear train including a stationary ring gear, a plurality of star gears configured to rotate about an inner circumference of the stationary ring gear, and a carrier coupled to the plurality of star gears;
a first set of friction disks rotationally coupled to the first epicyclic gear train;
a second set of friction disks in operable communication with the first set of friction disks, wherein torque is transferred between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks via a friction coupling between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks;
a basket configured to transfer toque to the first set of friction disks;
a ball ramp assembly rotationally coupling the carrier of the first epicyclic gear train to the basket; and
a pinion rotationally coupled to the second set of friction disks, wherein a splined portion of the pinion forms an output of the clutch assembly.
2. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the carrier defines an auxiliary gear.
3. The clutch assembly of claim 2 , wherein a material of the carrier is different from a material of the plurality of star gears.
4. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second epicyclic gear train rotationally coupled to the pinion, wherein the pinion forms a sun gear of the second epicyclic gear train.
5. A hoist, comprising:
a cable drum;
a motor configured to rotationally drive the cable drum;
a drive train rotationally coupled to the cable drum; and
a clutch assembly rotationally coupled between the drive train and the motor, the clutch assembly comprising:
a first epicyclic gear train rotationally coupled to the motor;
a first set of friction disks rotationally coupled to the first epicyclic gear train;
a second set of friction disks in operable communication with the first set of friction disks, wherein torque is transferred between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks via a friction coupling between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks; and
a pinion rotationally coupled to the second set of friction disks and the drive train.
6. The hoist of claim 5 , wherein the first epicyclic gear train comprises:
a stationary ring gear;
a plurality of star gears configured to rotate about an inner circumference of the stationary ring gear;
a carrier coupled to the plurality of star gears; and
a sun gear intermeshed with the plurality of star gears.
7. The hoist of claim 6 , further comprising a housing located around the clutch assembly, wherein the stationary ring gear is coupled to at least one of the housing or the cable drum.
8. The hoist of claim 7 , further comprising a shaft rotationally coupled to the motor and the sun gear.
9. The hoist of claim 8 , further comprising a basket rotationally coupled to the carrier and the first set of friction disks.
10. The hoist of claim 9 , further comprising a ball ramp assembly rotationally coupling the carrier to the basket.
11. The hoist of claim 10 , wherein a material of the carrier is different from a material of the plurality of star gears.
12. The hoist of claim 5 , wherein the drive train comprises a second epicyclic gear train, and wherein the pinion forms a sun gear of the second epicyclic gear train.
13. A hoist for an aircraft, comprising:
a cable drum;
a motor configured to rotationally drive the cable drum;
a clutch assembly in operable communication with the cable drum and the motor, the clutch assembly comprising:
a first epicyclic gear train rotationally coupled to the motor, the first epicyclic gear train including a stationary ring gear, a plurality of star gears configured to rotate about an inner circumference of the stationary ring gear, a first sun gear intermeshed with the plurality of star gears, and a carrier coupled to the plurality of star gears, wherein the motor is configured to rotationally drive the first sun gear;
a first set of friction disks rotationally coupled to the first epicyclic gear train;
a second set of friction disks in operable communication with the first set of friction disks with torque being transferred between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks via a friction coupling between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks, wherein the second set of friction disks is rotationally coupled to the cable drum; and
a pinion intermeshed with the second set of friction disks; and
a second epicyclic gear train rotationally coupled to the clutch assembly, wherein the pinion forms a sun gear of the second epicyclic gear train.
14. The hoist of claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the clutch assembly is located within the cable drum.
15. The hoist of claim 13 , wherein the carrier defines an auxiliary gear.
16. The hoist of claim 13 , wherein a material of the carrier is different from a material of the plurality of star gears.
17. The hoist of claim 13 , wherein the clutch assembly further includes:
a basket rotationally coupled to the first set of friction disks; and
a ball ramp assembly rotationally coupling the carrier to the basket.