Mechanical fuse for reciprocating roller chain

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention, in contrast with the prior art, provides a mechanical protection device (mechanical fuse) which can be used to protect expensive mechanical equipment by disengaging the equipment from the mechanical driving force, upon receipt of a mechanical power surge or overload.
Further, the present invention has been incorporated into an apparatus which is the subject of a co-pending application titled "Air Preheater Water Jet Cleaning Apparatus", U.
S.
Ser.
No.
154,736, Filed on Feb.
10, 1988 by the present inventor, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
The mechanical fuse device shears upon application of a tangential mechanical force which is greater than a predetermined level.
A mechanical fuse is sized such that the mechanical force required to shear the device is less than the amount of mechanical force which the equipment that is to be protected can withstand without sustaining damage.
The mechanical fuse of the present invention includes a body portion, which is of a substantially stirrup shape.
A first connecting member is provided for engaging the mechanical fuse with the mechanical equipment to be protected.
Further, a second connecting member is utilized for engaging the mechanical fuse with a member, which is used to mechanically drive the equipment.
Next, a shearing device is used to effect the connection between the first connecting member and the equipment, such that upon application of a mechanical power surge, the shearing device separates and the equipment is disengaged from the mechanical driving member.
Thus, the shearing device is sacrificed to protect a more expensive piece of equipment.
In accordance with the previous summary, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the subsequent description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.