Abstract: An apparatus for correcting an imbalance in a rotating shaft along with a method for correcting the imbalance in a rotating shaft is identified. The apparatus includes a joint assembly having a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member by one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of the first joint member and at least a portion of a second shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second end portion of the second join member. A boot can may be connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the second joint member. One or more balancing elements may then be connected to at least a portion of the boot can and/or the second joint member of the joint assembly.

Abstract: A joint assembly for use in a motor vehicle. The joint assembly includes a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member via one or more third joint members. At least a portion of the first joint member is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a first shaft and at least a portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second shaft. One or more first joint member tool grooves circumferentially extends along the outer surface of the first joint member. The joint assembly further includes a nut that drivingly connects at least a portion of a third shaft to at least a portion of the second shaft. The nut includes one or more nut tool grooves circumferentially extending along the outer surface of the nut.

Abstract: A shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a joint assembly having a first joint member, a second joint member and one or more third joint members drivingly connecting said first and second joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft is drivingly connected to the second joint member. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of a second end portion of the first shaft is a first and second increased diameter portion having a wall portion that connects the first increased diameter portion to the second increased diameter portion. Drivingly connected to the second increased diameter portion of the first shaft is a second shaft. During a crash condition, an amount of force is applied to the wall portion until it fractures and at least a portion of the first shaft and/or the joint assembly translates into a hollow portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting an imbalance in a rotating shaft along with a method for correcting the imbalance in a rotating shaft is identified. The apparatus includes a joint assembly having a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member by one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of the first joint member and at least a portion of a second shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second end portion of the second join member. A boot can may be connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the second joint member. One or more balancing elements may then be connected to at least a portion of the boot can and/or the second joint member of the joint assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle shaft assembly (500). The shaft assembly includes a coupling assembly having a first (506), a second (508) and a third (510) joint member. A substantially cylindrical body portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to a first shaft (560) having an increased diameter portion. The increased diameter portion of the first shaft has a retaining member groove (604) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the increased diameter portion. At least a portion of the increased diameter portion of the first shaft is drivingly connected to a crash collapse adapter (608) having a crash collapse feature circumferentially extending along an inner surface of the crash collapse adapter. A second shaft (640) is integrally connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of the crash collapse adapter (608). At least a portion of a retaining member is disposed within the retaining member groove and the crash collapse feature.

Abstract: A joint assembly for use in a motor vehicle. The joint assembly includes a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member via one or more third joint members. At least a portion of the first joint member is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a first shaft and at least a portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second shaft. One or more first joint member tool grooves circumferentially extends along the outer surface of the first joint member. The joint assembly further includes a nut that drivingly connects at least a portion of a third shaft to at least a portion of the second shaft. The nut includes one or more nut tool grooves circumferentially extending along the outer surface of the nut.

Abstract: A shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a joint assembly having a first joint member, a second joint member and one or more third joint members drivingly connecting said first and second joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft is drivingly connected to the second joint member. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of a second end portion of the first shaft is a first and second increased diameter portion having a wall portion that connects the first increased diameter portion to the second increased diameter portion. Drivingly connected to the second increased diameter portion of the first shaft is a second shaft. During a crash condition, an amount of force is applied to the wall portion until it fractures and at least a portion of the first shaft and/or the joint assembly translates into a hollow portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly for use in a vehicle. The driveshaft assembly has a tubular shaft having a first receiving end portion with a hollow interior and a driveshaft end having an insert end portion with a main insert portion, a spacer mounting seat and a spacer catch surface extending therebetween. The main insert portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the spacer mounting seat. A spacer a first end portion with a first opening, a center portion with a wall portion, and a second end portion with a lip portion having a second opening and a transition portion. The second opening has an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of said first opening. A terminal surface defining the second opening is disposed radially outboard from the spacer mounting seat and a portion of the lip portion extends substantially perpendicular to the wall portion.

Abstract: A vehicle shaft assembly (500). The shaft assembly includes a coupling assembly having a first (506), a second (508) and a third (510) joint member. A substantially cylindrical body portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to a first shaft (560) having an increased diameter portion. The increased diameter portion of the first shaft has a retaining member groove (604) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the increased diameter portion. At least a portion of the increased diameter portion of the first shaft is drivingly connected to a crash collapse adapter (608) having a crash collapse feature circumferentially extending along an inner surface of the crash collapse adapter. A second shaft (640) is integrally connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of the crash collapse adapter (608). At least a portion of a retaining member is disposed within the retaining member groove and the crash collapse feature.

Abstract: A vehicle joint has a drive sleeve, a pinion shaft and a drive nut. The sleeve has a vent hole, a first set of splines and a first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft has a second set of splines engaged with the first set of splines. A fluid gap radially outboard of the engaged spines extends the length of the engaged splines. A second set of venting grooves is engaged with the first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft also has a first set of threads. The drive nut has a second set of threads engaged with the first set of threads. The drive nut also has a radial aperture extending through the drive nut. The first vent hole is in fluid connection with the radial aperture through some of the features described above.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an inner race and a sleeve. The sleeve connects with the inner race. In addition, the sleeve connects with a pinion shaft via splines. A nut attaches to the sleeve and also the shaft. The nut/shaft attachment is through threads.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first transition portion, a first constriction portion, a second constriction portion, and a second transition portion and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first constriction portion and the second constriction portion and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first distension, a constriction, and a second distension and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The constriction is formed between the first distension and the second distension and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle joint has a drive sleeve, a pinion shaft and a drive nut. The sleeve has a vent hole, a first set of splines and a first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft has a second set of splines engaged with the first set of splines. A fluid gap radially outboard of the engaged spines extends the length of the engaged splines. A second set of venting grooves is engaged with the first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft also has a first set of threads. The drive nut has a second set of threads engaged with the first set of threads. The drive nut also has a radial aperture extending through the drive nut. The first vent hole is in fluid connection with the radial aperture through some of the features described above.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an inner race and a sleeve. The sleeve connects with the inner race. In addition, the sleeve connects with a pinion shaft via splines. A nut attaches to the sleeve and also the shaft. The nut/shaft attachment is through threads.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first distension, a constriction, and a second distension and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The constriction is formed between the first distension and the second distension and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first transition portion, a first constriction portion, a second constriction portion, and a second transition portion and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first constriction portion and the second constriction portion and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a tie rod tube assembly by magnetic pulse welding is provided. The method can be used to form tie rod assemblies with a tie rod tube centerpiece that is parabolic in shape. In addition, the method can be used to form a tie rod assembly where the end fittings and centerpiece are made from different materials. Also described is a tie rod assembly manufactured using the method or methods of the invention.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a hydroforming process cause either or both of the opposed end portions of the workpiece to be deformed to achieve desired shapes therein. Initially, a workpiece having a pair of end portions is disposed within a die cavity defined by first and second die sections have cooperating recesses. A pair of end feed assemblies engage the end portions of the workpiece and deform such end portions to a desired shape. Pressurized fluid is provided within the workpiece either before, during, or after the deformation of the end portions of the workpiece to deform the central portion thereof it into a desired shape as defined by the die cavity.