PNEUMATIC TORQUE LIMITER PROVIDES EFFICIENT OVERLOAD PROTECTION AND EXTENDED OPERATIONAL LIFE

Vadnais Heights, MN—September 18, 2009—Nexen announces TL Series pneumatically engaged, single-position torque limiters, delivering superior overload protection for industrial machinery. The TL Series uses a ball/detent interface and proximity sensor to immediately disengage the machine shaft when excessive torque or a machine jam occurs, effectively protecting downstream equipment and product from damage and decreasing downtime. Upon detecting the overload condition, the sensor instantly sends a signal to the torque limiter’s control valve, exhausting the air and disengaging the unit for a clean disconnect of power to the driven components. By utilizing pneumatic actuation, TL Series units facilitate remote trip-out torque adjustment via an air regulator, allowing operators to optimize overload protection while the machine is in use—thus eliminating the need for inconvenient onsite adjustments. Each torque limiter’s interface has five ball/detents arranged in an asymmetrical pattern, assuring each engagement occurs in the same position and affirming machine components are accurately synchronized. The unique hard-chromed detent interface decreases drive-ring wear when the balls are pressed against the face during jog-to-position engagement, extending operational life as well as ensuring complete disengagement every time—without premature re-engagement. Semi-open and totally enclosed, nickel-plated TL Series units are available. Semi-open units are sealed to keep contaminants out of the ball/detent area, while enclosed units are designed to protect the ball/detent and spline areas in washdown or other manufacturing environments where liquids are present. A variety of ball/detent sizes are available to provide a range of torque capacities, making the TL Series well suited for a broad application base, including packaging machinery, food processing, bottling, material handling and newspaper presses. Several additional features of the TL Series ensure its long-lasting, dependable operation: The air chamber is sealed with o-rings to eliminate air leakage and minimize repairs, with backup rings to prevent o-ring dislocation, decreasing wear and extending the component’s operational life. Internal springs separate the ball and detent interfaces, preventing the ball from being forcefully removed from the detent—extending life and eliminating detent distortion, as well as preventing the torque limiter from re-engaging until the machine stops. The proximity sensor features an LED that illuminates to indicate when the torque limiter is engaged. Single-flex or double-flex couplings are available to deliver high shaft misalignment protection with zero backlash and excellent torsional rigidity.