Importance

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Abstract

One way clutches are taught that preferably include a rotor having an outer surface, an outer sleeve having an inner surface and journaled on the rotor in spaced relationship. A tapered roller receiving space may be defined between the outer surface of the rotor and the inner surface of the outer sleeve, and a roller may be disposed within the roller receiving space. The inner surface of the outer sleeve and the outer surface of the rotor may be preferably shaped in such a way that a tapered angle defined between a first tangent line passing through a contact point of the roller and the rotor outer surface and a second tangent line passing through a contact point of the roller and the inner surface of the outer sleeve remains constant or substantially constant even if an engagement position of the roller within the roller receiving space is varied from an ideal position when the roller engages the tapered roller receiving space. Further, retainers may partially define the roller receiving space and the retainers may comprise a non-ferromagnetic material. A magnet may be disposed within each retainer in order to attract the roller. Moreover, the tapered roller receiving space may be further defined in part by a spiral shaped or substantially spiral shaped cam surface that contacts the roller.

First Claim