Abstract: A constant velocity joint is provided with at least a pair of tracks whose geometry is defined based on ball path that follows a parametric equation and the parametric function is in the form of a polynomial displacement function of a fourth order or larger.

Abstract: A tripot housing and method of manufacture thereof. The tripot housing includes a housing body extending along an axis between a first end having an end wall and an open second end. A drive shaft extends from the end wall along the axis away from the second end. The housing body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a guide channel that extends between the first end and the second end. The outer surface has a first region extending axially along a direction from the first end toward the second end to a shoulder that extends radially outwardly from the first region. The outer surface has a second region extending axially from the shoulder toward the second end. A ring has an inner surface disposed in an interference fit on first region and an outer surface extending radially outwardly from the second region.

Abstract: A drive shaft has a central tubular portion formed of a polymer composite with imbedded fibers. It extends between a first end and a second end. The central tubular portion has an outer peripheral surface. There is at least one ring on the outer peripheral surface of the central tubular portion. A method of repairing a composite material tube includes the steps of (a) identifying a damaged area on a composite tube, and (b) placing a patch on a surface of the tube and over the damaged area.

Abstract: A tripot housing includes a housing body that extends between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal central axis. The housing body defines a guide channel that extends from the first housing end toward the second housing end. The guide channel has a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall that extends between the first wall and the second wall. An elliptical contact surface area transitions the first wall with the third wall and the second wall with the third wall, with the elliptical contact surface areas being configured for engagement with an outer roller of a roller assembly to inhibit a locking condition.

Abstract: A torsion damping device for a vehicle transmission line including a first rotating element, a second rotating element, a main damper, a third rotating element and an additional damper. When the angular displacement between the first and second rotating elements is greater than zero and less than said first threshold, the at least one main spring is compressed while the third rotating element is rotated by the first rotating element via the uncompressed additional spring, and when the angular displacement between the first and second rotating elements is greater than said first threshold, the at least one main spring is compressed and the at least one additional spring is compressed in parallel, the compression of the additional spring being accompanied by the relative rotation of the first rotating element and the third rotating element.

Abstract: A universal joint, having a first joint member with longitudinally extending arms, each arm having one or more contact surfaces and a second joint member with longitudinally extending arms, where each arm includes one or more contact surfaces. The universal joint also includes one or more independent contact objects disposed between a contact surface of the first joint member and a contact surface of the second joint member. The universal joint also includes a load rod disposed in an axial channel between the first joint member and the second joint member.

Abstract: A flex coupling assembly for coupling a first shaft to a second shaft of a shaft assembly. The flex coupling assembly includes a lower housing having a housing wall bounding a cavity between a first end having an end face and an open second end. A first shaft is fixed to the end face and extends along an axis. An upper flange, spaced from the lower housing, has a second shaft fixed thereto extending along the axis. A retention member, disposed in the cavity, is operably fixed to the upper flange. A resilient flex coupling, disposed between the end face and the flange, is operably fixed to the upper flange and the retention member and to the lower housing. The lower housing and the flange are moveable axially toward and away from one another and rotatably about the axis via flexing of the resilient flex coupling which dampens noise and vibrations between the first and second shafts.

Abstract: A damper device includes first and second rotors, a first pre-damper, and a first main elastic member. The second rotor includes a hub and a flange. The first pre-damper elastically couples the hub and the flange in a rotational direction, and is actuated in a first range of torsion angle between the first and second rotors. The first main elastic member elastically couples the first and second rotors in the rotational direction, and is actuated in a greater second range of torsion angle. The first pre-damper includes first and second subordinate elastic members. The first subordinate elastic member is compressed in a neutral state, and urges the flange to a first side in the rotational direction with respect to the hub. The second subordinate elastic member is compressed in the neutral state, and urges the flange to a second side in the rotational direction with respect to the hub.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing a tooth shear strength without also increasing a torsional rigidity of a flexible spline disposed between two hubs of a flexible coupling for transmitting mechanical motion between two shafts includes attaching a stiffening cap to an end of a flexible spline, between the flexible spline and the hubs and inserting a plurality of dowels into the teeth of the flexible spline to reinforce the flexible spline.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting apparatus for a drive assembly includes: a first coupling device for transmitting torque and compensating a shaft offset, and a second coupling device for transmitting and limiting torque, the first and second coupling devices being connected in series. The second coupling device includes an inner hollow part and an outer hollow part. The inner hollow part radially outwardly includes a first frictional surface and the outer hollow part radially inwardly includes a second frictional surface, which is connected to the first frictional surface and interacts therewith. The inner hollow part includes a fillable pressure chamber.

Abstract: A ball-CV style transmission suitable for use in a Positive Displacement Motor (PDM). A shaft provides shaft wings received into housing receptacles on a housing. A ball and a Torque Transfer Element (TTE) is interposed between each shaft wing and housing within each housing receptacle, with the ball received into opposing recesses preferably on the shaft wing and the TTE. The TTEs float within their corresponding housing receptacles so as to maintain torque transfer contact between all thrust surfaces during articulated rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing. The TTEs preferably float generally radially towards the shaft centerline as angular deflection increases during articulated rotation.

Abstract: A motive power transmission device including first and second motive power transmission members that are spline-fitted together includes a spring retaining member that retains a spring and is mounted on the first motive power transmission member. The spring retaining member includes a temporarily fixing portion that is temporarily fixed to and mounted on the first motive power transmission member in a first compression state of the spring and a locking portion that is locked with the second motive power transmission member in a second compression state where when the first and second motive power transmission members are spline-fitted together, the spring is compressed and urges the second motive power transmission member toward one side in a circumferential direction with respect to the first motive power transmission member.

Abstract: A tripod constant-velocity joint including: an inner ring; three trunnions protruding from the inner ring; three roller units supported by the trunnions; and an outer ring storing the roller units. Each roller unit includes: an inner roller that is in contact with a convex outer-circumferential surface of the corresponding trunnion at a tangent point; an outer roller supported by the inner roller through rolling elements that are interposed between the inner and outer rollers; and a limiting portion protruding from the outer roller, so as to limit movements of the rolling elements and the inner roller. A clearance between the inner roller and the limiting portion is smaller than an axial length of a crowned end portion of each rolling element, and is larger than a stroke distance of reciprocating movement of the tangent point when a joint angle of the tripod constant-velocity joint is a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a flywheel and a damper device. The flywheel includes a plurality of fixation holes. The damper device includes an input rotary member, an output rotary member, and a pair of first elastic members. The input rotary member and output rotary member each include a plurality of assembling holes disposed in corresponding positions to the plurality of fixation holes of the flywheel. The plurality of assembling holes are arranged in a circumferential direction such that two pairs of the assembling holes, each pair including two adjacent assembling holes, are each disposed at a larger interval than remaining assembling holes to produce a pair of accommodation spaces. A pair of first accommodation portions, accommodating the pair of first elastic members, is disposed radially outside the pair of accommodation spaces.

Abstract: An elastic actuator includes a gear transmitting a rotational force; a mounting recess formed in a first side of the gear; a plurality of elastic wedges received in the mounting recess at positions that are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the mounting recess, each elastic wedge including a non-metal elastic material; a through-hole penetrating an elastic wedge among the plurality of elastic wedges; an output body configured to cover the first side of the gear; and at least one insertion bar protruding from a first side of the output body toward the first side of the gear and configured to be inserted into the through-hole. The elastic actuator further includes a shaft coupled to the output body and penetrating the gear, a protrusion having an inner space through which the shaft passes being formed to extend from the mounting recess toward the output body.

Abstract: A surgical tool including a socket having a housing and an aperture within the housing, the socket configured to receive a ball and a pin at least partially in the aperture. The ball is positioned at least partially in the socket and configured to rotate within the socket, the ball comprising an elongated opening extending through the ball. The pin is coupled to the socket and disposed at least partially in the socket on opposite sides of the socket, the pin including a first longitudinal axis and extending through the elongated opening of the ball between opposite sides of the socket. The ball is configured to partially rotate about the first longitudinal axis of the pin, and partially rotate, about a second axis perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the pin, in a plane aligned with the elongated opening.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for a downhole drilling motor includes a drive shaft having a first end portion engaging a first housing and a second end portion engaging a second housing. The first end portion and the first housing form the first constant velocity joint and the second end portion and the second housing form the second constant velocity joint of the drive shaft assembly. Each end portion including a base surface having a pair of prongs extending away from the base surface and a cylindrical side wall having a plurality of ball bearings held in a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets. Each housing includes a cavity to retain respective end portions of the drive shaft. An inner side wall of each housing includes a plurality of cylindrical grooves to receive the plurality of ball bearings to transfer torque.

Abstract: A mount is provided for mounting a plate to a frame assembly. The mount includes a generally cylindrical head extendable through an aperture the plate and having an upper surface, a lower face, an outer peripheral surface, and a mounting rail receivable in a slot of the frame member of the frame assembly. The cylindrical head includes a bolt-receiving bore extending through the cylindrical head along a bore axis at an acute angle to the upper face that is adapted to receive a bolt therethrough. A flange extends radially extending from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical head. The flange has a diameter greater than the diameter of at least a portion of the aperture through the plate. Tightening of the bolt captures the plate between the flange and the frame member.

Abstract: A universal joint shaft with universal joint shaft protection comprises at least one shaft element for transmitting torque, at least one protective tube element arranged around the shaft element, and an intermediate bearing, by means of which the shaft element is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (L) in the protective tube element, wherein the intermediate bearing comprises an outer ring fixed to the protective tube element and an inner ring fixed to the shaft element, which are rotatable relative to each other, and a clamping mechanism by means of which the inner ring is fixed on the shaft element.

Abstract: A shaft coupling includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a cushioning member. The first coupling member includes first protrusions. The second coupling member includes second protrusions. The cushioning member includes a plurality of radiating portions. When the first coupling member and the second coupling member are arranged coaxially and the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in an unloaded state, predetermined paired facing surfaces have a minimum clearance angle present on a radially outer side with respect to a center of the radiating portion in a radiating direction. The predetermined paired facing surfaces are at least one of first paired facing surfaces and second paired facing surfaces.