192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Operators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-02-27
Marmor, Charles A. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Operators
C029S434000, C029S450000, C192S070160
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193042
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to retaining and locating ring structures and more particularly to retaining and locating ring structures in rotary mechanisms for maintaining an external ring in a predetermined relation with a member to be axially retained.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many rotating devices, such as fluid operated clutches, it is often necessary to limit the axial movement of one or more members. Conventionally, a retaining ring has been used for this purpose. In such arrangements, the retaining ring is positioned in a retaining groove in a rotatable shaft. The member, usually a plate, to be retained and limited in axial movement in one direction has a recess portion that overlaps the retaining ring in the assembled condition. However, in some assemblies, the axial movement range, in the unlimited direction, is sufficient to uncover the ring. When this occurs, it is possible for the ring to expand sufficiently, due to centrifugal forces, to escape from the retaining groove in the shaft. If the ring escapes from the groove, the plate is no longer limited in axial movement and the clutch may not function properly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved retaining ring structure.
In one aspect of the present invention, a first retaining ring is secured in an external groove in a rotatable member and positioned in a recess in a member to be retained to limit the axial movement thereof in one direction and a second retaining member is positioned to cooperate with the first retaining ring to limit the axial movement of the retained member in the other axial direction. In another aspect of the present invention, the retained member has an internal groove in which the second retaining member is positioned. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the second retaining member is a ring having an inner circumference overlapping an outer circumference of the first retaining ring.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the retained member has an inner circumference axially adjacent the second retaining member and radially spaced from the rotatable member to permit sufficient clearance for the installation of the second retaining member after the first retaining ring has been installed. In a further aspect of the present invention, the first retaining ring is an external retaining ring and the second retaining member is an internal retaining ring.
In yet a further aspect of the present invention, the member to be retained is fully assembled on the rotatable member in the one axial direction, the first retaining member is installed in the rotatable member, the retained member is moved in the other axial direction to overlap the first retaining member, and the second retaining member is installed on the retained member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3624769 (1971-11-01), Hansen
patent: 4148384 (1979-04-01), Stinson
patent: 4458797 (1984-07-01), Hawkins
patent: 5080522 (1992-01-01), Shafirkin
patent: 5131894 (1992-07-01), Hilker
patent: 5207462 (1993-05-01), Bartholomew
patent: 5651288 (1997-07-01), Meeusen
patent: 6021879 (2000-02-01), Pelouch
Kempf Greg W.
Raszkowski James Allen
General Motors Corporation
Hargitt Laura C.
Marmor Charles A.
Rodríuez Saul
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