Overrunning bi-directional clutch as gear synchronizer and coupler

Abstract

The over-running bi-directional clutch is used to synchronize gears in a transmission to allow for locking and unlocking the gears in an efficient manner.

1 . An over-running bi-directional clutch comprising
 an outer shell, having an inner surface with first grooves or depressions formed therein, the outer shell being split for enabling the outer shell to expand radially upon application of radially directed force thereon,   an inner shell or surface inward of the outer shell and facing outward toward the outer shell and having corresponding second grooves or depressions formed therein, wherein the number and placement of the second grooves and depressions is such that the first and second grooves and depressions of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface are alignable with the inner shell or surface and the outer shell at selected relative rotational positions;   the grooves and depressions defining ramps shaped for urging radially needles or rollers in the grooves or depressions,   a set of needles or rollers with each needle or roller disposed in respective ones of grooves or depressions and between the inner shell or surface and the outer shell, the needles or rollers being of such diameter that when fully in the grooves or depressions, the needles or rollers do not contact the shells in a manner that prohibits relative rotation between them, and when a tangential force is applied to rotate the outer shell and the inner shells or surface tangentially with respect to each other, the needles and rollers being so sized and the ramps being so sized and shaped as to apply radial force to the outer shell and the inner shell or surface for urging them apart.   an actuation device at the outer shell and the inner shell or surface selectively moveable between a position where the actuation device extends at least partially through each of the outer shell and inner shell or surface for blocking relative rotation of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface upon tangential force being applied to one of them, when the actuation device being is in the outer shell and the inner shell or surface, the depressions or grooves are so positioned that the outer shell are held at positions with the grooves or depressions aligned such that the needles or rollers lo not apply the radial force to the outer shell and the inner shell or surface, and   the actuation device being movable out of engagement with at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface for enabling tangential force applied to at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface to relatively rotate them for causing the needles or rollers to ride the ramps to apply radial force to the shells.   
   
   
       2 . The clutch of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation device is supported to be movable radially, respectively into the outer shell and the inner shell or surface for locking them against relative rotation and out of engagement with at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface for enabling them to rotate relatively. 
   
   
       3 . An over-running bi-directional clutch comprising:
 an outer shell, having an inner surface; the outer shell being split for enabling the outer shell to expand radially upon application of radially directed force thereon;   an inner shell or surface inward of the outer shell and facing outward toward the outer shell, at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface having grooves or depressions formed therein, the grooves and depressions defining ramps shaped for urging radially needles or rollers in the grooves or depressions radially,   a set of needles or rollers with each needle or roller disposed in respective ones of grooves or depressions and between the inner shell or surface and the outer shell, the needles or rollers being of such diameter that when fully in the grooves or depressions, the needles or rollers do not contact the shells in a manner that prohibits relative rotation between them, and when a tangential force is applied to rotate the outer shell and the inner shells or surface tangentially with respect to each other, the needles and rollers being so sized and the ramps being so sized and shaped as to apply radial forces to the outer shell and the inner shell or surface for urging them apart,   an actuation device at the outer shell and the inner shell or surface selectively moveable between a position where the actuation device extends at least partially through each of the outer shell and inner shell or surface for blocking relative rotation of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface upon tangential force being applied to one of them, when the actuation device being is in the outer shell and the inner shell or surface, the depressions or grooves are so positioned that the outer shell are held at positions with the grooves or depressions aligned such that the needles or rollers to not apply the radial force to the outer shell and the inner shell or surface; and   the actuation device being movable out of engagement with at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface for enabling tangential force applied to at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell or surface to relatively rotate them for causing the needles or rollers to ride the ramps to apply radial force to the shells.