Moog Inc.
Torque limiter having over-speed protection

Abstract:

An apparatus for connecting a rotational drive member to a rotational driven member brakes rotation when either the torque transmitted between the members exceeds a predetermined torque limit or the rotational speed of the drive member exceeds a predetermined rotational speed limit. The apparatus includes a torque limiter configured to actuate a braking mechanism or disconnect transmission when the torque limit is exceeded, and an over-speed governor configured to trigger the torque limiter when the rotational speed of the input element exceeds the rotational speed limit. The over-speed governor may trigger the torque limiter by reducing the torque limit of the torque limiter, or by introducing rotational drag in the apparatus to increase transmitted torque.