Torque Limiting Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A torque limiting apparatus is provided having an input shaft, an output shaft, a housing, a spring, and a length adjustable shank and collar assembly. The input shaft communicates with a rotating end segment having a cam surface. The output shaft communicates with a rotating end segment having a complementary cam surface for engaging with the cam surface of the input shaft. The cam surfaces cooperate to generate separation forces between the respective rotating end segments. The housing encases the first end segment and the second end segment. The spring is supported in the housing, and is configured to oppose the separation forces generated by the cam surfaces, and is configured to urge together the first end segment and the second end segment to remain in rotating coupled engagement. The length adjustable shank and collar assembly is provided between the spring and the housing and is configured to adjust compressive force on the spring to change torque output of the apparatus. A method is also provided.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 : A torque limiting apparatus, comprising:
 an input shaft communicating with a first body having at least one cam surface;   a collar having a second body with a complementary at least one co-acting cam surface, the collar including at least one radially inwardly extending drive lug and at least one circumferential clearance raceway disposed axially from the at least one lug;   a spline shaft having a radially outwardly extending at least one driven lug;   a housing encasing the first body and the second body; and   a spring urging together the first body and the second body in an axial direction to engage the at least one drive lug with the at least one driven lug, the spring compressed at a threshold torque to axially move the first body and the second body by sliding the at least one cam surface along the at least one co-acting cam surface to disengage the at least one driven lug from the at least one drive lug to move the driven lug into the at least one circumferential clearance raceway.