Inventors:
Hugh L. Kearney - Cheshire CT
Charles J. Isabelle - Winsted CT
Jules G. Kish - Milford CT
William L. Noehren - Trumbull CT
Assignee:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - Stratford CT
International Classification:
F16D 1312
Abstract:
A coil spring (50) for use in an overrunning spring clutch assembly having a central arbor (16) for centering and supporting the coil spring (50) in an overrunning operating mode. The coil spring (50) includes teaser coils (52) disposed at each end thereof, central coils (54) disposed intermediate the teaser coils (52), and transition coils (56) disposed between and adjoining the teaser coils (52) and the central coils (54). The coil spring (50) is characterized by each of the transition coils (56) having an interface surface (56. sub. IS) being substantially complementary to a corresponding external bearing surface (16. sub. ES) defined by the central arbor (16) of the spring clutch assembly. Such substantially complementary relationship limits the radial deflection of the transition coils (56) in the overrunning operating mode, thereby reducing vibratory bending stresses in the coil spring (50).