Abstract: A shaft assembly that includes a shaft, which has a wall with an interior surface, a universal joint member, which is coupled to an end of the shaft and a balance weight that is received in the shaft and fixedly coupled to the interior surface. The balance weight includes an ultraviolet light-curable or light-cured resin.

Abstract: A propshaft assembly includes an axle flange, a propshaft, and a damper. The propshaft includes a prop flange, which may be mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith. The damper includes an outer mass that annularly surrounds the prop flange. The damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and a flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft without fasteners.

Abstract: A propshaft assembly includes an axle flange, a propshaft, and a damper. The propshaft includes a prop flange, which may be mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith. The damper includes an outer mass that annularly surrounds the prop flange. The damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and a flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft without fasteners.

Abstract: A vehicle differential unit (DU), including: a torsional damper assembly having a plurality of independently sprung damper assemblies positioned with respect to the DU, each damper assembly configured to reduce noise or vibration generated by the DU in a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A propshaft damper for a vehicle is provided. The propshaft damper includes an inertia ring where the inertia ring having an inner ring. A rubber track is positioned on inner ring, the rubber track having an first inner surface. A transmission flange is further provided having a second inner surface and connected to the inertia ring. A hub is provided connecting the inertia ring to the flange. The hub having a first section and a second section where the first section of the hub includes a first outer surface and the second section includes a second outer surface. The first inner surface of the hub connected to the first outer surface of the hub. Further, the second outer surface of the hub is connected to the second inner surface of the flange thereby connecting inertia track and the flange by means of the hub in a secure press-fit connection.

Abstract: A shaft (1a-d) is provided that is rotatably mounted by a journal (2) in a housing (4) in which lubricant mist is provided. One or several outward-extending ribs (6) extend between the journal and shaft sections (5a, 5b) adjacent to the journal. The shaft is mounted by the journal in the housing using a rolling bearing (3) that is lubricated exclusively by the lubricant mist. At least one of the ribs associated with the journal extends at a certain angle of attack (11, 12) to the axis of rotation of the shaft and is used as a blade for conveying the lubricant mist into the rolling bearing.

Abstract: A balanced driveshaft assembly that includes a driveshaft and a composite weight. The driveshaft has a shaft member and a pair of cardan joints that are coupled to the opposite ends of the shaft member. The shaft member is formed of a first material. The composite weight is fixed to the shaft member, and includes an insert and a body. The insert is formed of a second material that is denser than the first material and is encapsulated in the body. The body is formed of the first material. A composite weight and a method for forming a balanced driveshaft assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A flange member is disclosed for a balance assembly that includes a first rotating element coupled to a second rotating element. The flange member includes a main body exhibiting a predetermined imbalance vector when rotated about an axis of rotation. The flange member also includes a plurality of fastener apertures for attaching one of the first and second rotation elements to the main body. Angular spacing between each of the fastener apertures is substantially equal but for one fastener aperture, such that angular spacing is greater to one side of the one fastener aperture, and such that angular spacing is less to another side of the one fastener aperture.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a yoke including a body portion, a pair of opposed yoke arms that extends generally in a first axial direction from the body portion, and a neck portion that extends generally in a second axial direction from the body portion. A driveshaft tube is secured to the neck portion of the yoke, such as by magnetic pulse welding. A ring is secured to the body portion of the yoke, such as by press fitting, and a balance weight is secured to the ring, such as by welding.

Abstract: A cross shaft joint tiltably coupling two shaft members each other includes: a cross shaft which includes four shaft portions and is arranged between the two shaft members; outer ring cups rotatably provided to the four shaft portions, respectively, the outer ring cups being adapted to be coupled to corresponding shaft members; and an attachment portion to which a balance weight for balancing the outer ring cups can be attached is formed on at least one of the outer ring cups.

Abstract: A noise and vibration damper for use with a rotatable structure, such as a driveshaft assembly for a vehicular drive train system, includes an inner member, an elastomeric member that extends about the inner member, and an outer member that extends about the elastomeric member. The inner member is formed from a sheet of material that has been deformed to a desired shape, while the outer member is formed from a tube of material having a length that is selected to provide the desired dampening frequency. The natural resonant frequency of the noise and vibration damper can be adjusted by varying either or both of the shape of the inner member or the axial length of the outer member of the noise and vibration damper. In both instances, the weight distribution of the components of the noise and vibration damper is altered.

Abstract: A balance correction device is supported within a hollow article, such as a driveshaft assembly for a vehicular drive train system, to balance the article for rotation. The balance correction device includes a first disc having a first slot provided therein and a second disc having a second slot provided therein. Portions of the first and second slots are axially aligned with one another. An object, such as a ball, is received within the axially aligned portions of the first and second slots. The first and second discs can be positioned relative to one another to position the object relative to the unbalanced article to balance the unbalanced article for rotation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube for a vehicle driveshaft assembly forms a flat sheet of material having a greater thickness than other portions over a portion of its width and along its length, rolling the sheet about a longitudinal axis such that its lateral edges are mutually adjacent, then securing the lateral edges together by seam welding to form a tube. The mass distribution is not uniform because the wall thickness of certain portions of the tube is greater than the wall thickness of other portions of the tube. A tube yoke is machined and the angular location of its overbalance about its longitudinal axis is determined. The tube is secured to the tube yoke such that the angular location of overbalance of the yoke is aligned with the weld seam and diametrically opposite the region of the tube having the greater wall thickness.

Abstract: A universal joint has a balancing arrangement and a balancing weight for the same. Each yoke arm has a support bore centered on a bore axis, the support bore having a groove. A journal cross assembly includes four journals that intersect each other perpendicularly and bearing bushings that, respectively, have a bottom having an outer face. In these, a journal is, respectively, supported. Each bearing bushing is received in a support bore and is secured by means of a retaining ring, engaging in the groove, and by a balancing weight held between the retaining ring and the outer face of the bottom. This has radially, in reference to the bore axis, outside an annular fixing portion and following this, radially to the inside, in reference to the bore axis, a thicker balancing mass portion.

Abstract: A shaft structure and at least two non-identical inserts. The shaft structure has a cavity and vibrates in response to the receipt of an input of a predetermined frequency such that at least two second bending mode anti-nodes are generated in spaced relation to one another along the longitudinal axis of the shaft structure. Each of the inserts is disposed within the longitudinally extending cavity at a position that approximately corresponds to an associated one of the anti-nodes. A method for attenuating noise transmission from a vehicle driveline is also disclosed.

Abstract: A universal joint has a balancing arrangement that includes yoke arms having respectively, a support bore, centered on a common bore axis, and the support bore having a groove. A journal cross assembly comprises four journals, which axes intersect each other perpendicularly, and bearing bushings, having, respectively, a bottom, having an outer face, and in which bearing bushings, a journal is, respectively, supported. Respectively, one bearing bushing is received in a support bore and is secured by means of a retaining ring, engaging in the groove and supported on the outer face of the bottom of the corresponding bearing bushing. The retaining ring has a support portion on which radially inwards and projecting towards the bore axis, a holding portion is attached, axially offset to the support portion and distanced to the bottom, forming a gap. A balancing weight, formed as a ring discontinued at a point, can be retained in the gap between the bottom and the at least one holding portion.

Abstract: A cross shaft joint tiltably coupling two shaft members each other includes: a cross shaft which includes four shaft portions and is arranged between the two shaft members; outer ring cups rotatably provided to the four shaft portions, respectively, the outer ring cups being adapted to be coupled to corresponding shaft members; and an attachment portion to which a balance weight for balancing the outer ring cups can be attached is formed on at least one of the outer ring cups.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly is balanced for rotation during use by initially disposing an annular band about a portion thereof. The band is then secured to the driveshaft assembly, such as by welding, adhesives, frictional engagement, and the like. After the band is secured to the driveshaft assembly, one or more balance weights can be secured to the band, such as by welding, adhesives, and the like, at desired locations to balance the driveshaft assembly for rotation. The band functions as a mounting surface upon which the balance weights can be secured to balance the driveshaft assembly for rotation. Because the balance weights are secured not directly to the driveshaft assembly, but rather are mounted indirectly thereon by the band, the driveshaft assembly is protected from damage that might otherwise result from welding the balance weights directly thereto.

Abstract: A swivel joint according to the present invention includes first and second base members. A spider includes first and second arcuate surfaces which form joints with the first and second base members, respectively. Furthermore, the spider includes first and second pins both opposed from each other and third and fourth pins opposed from each other. A first mechanism is coupled to the spider and the first base member and is adapted to effect a force between the first arcuate surface and the first base member. Also, a second mechanism is coupled to the spider and the second base member and is adapted to effect a force between the second arcuate surface and the second base member.

Abstract: A universal joint has a balancing arrangement and a balancing weight for the same. Each yoke arm has a support bore centered on a bore axis, the support bore having a groove. A journal cross assembly includes four journals that intersect each other perpendicularly and bearing bushings that, respectively, have a bottom having an outer face. In these, a journal is, respectively, supported. Each bearing bushing is received in a support bore and is secured by means of a retaining ring, engaging in the groove, and by a balancing weight held between the retaining ring and the outer face of the bottom. This has radially, in reference to the bore axis, outside an annular fixing portion and following this, radially to the inside, in reference to the bore axis, a thicker balancing mass portion.

Abstract: A universal joint has a balancing arrangement that includes yoke arms having respectively, a support bore, centered on a common bore axis, and the support bore having a groove. A journal cross assembly comprises four journals, which axes intersect each other perpendicularly, and bearing bushings, having, respectively, a bottom, having an outer face, and in which bearing bushings, a journal is, respectively, supported. Respectively, one bearing bushing is received in a support bore and is secured by means of a retaining ring, engaging in the groove and supported on the outer face of the bottom of the corresponding bearing bushing. The retaining ring has a support portion on which radially inwards and projecting towards the bore axis, a holding portion is attached, axially offset to the support portion and distanced to the bottom, forming a gap. A balancing weight, formed as a ring discontinued at a point, can be retained in the gap between the bottom and the at least one holding portion.

Abstract: The damper assembly, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, can be tuned to different frequency to dampen the vibrations of the driveline assembly. The damper assembly comprises an outer housing, an inner housing and a recess defined between the inner housing and the outer housing. A magnetorheological elastomer is housed in the recess. In order to change the elastic modulus of the magnetorheological elastomer at least one magnetic means is provided in the contact with the inner housing. The magnetic means are capable of being rotated either towards the inner house or away from the inner house such that the elastic modulus of the magnetorheological elastomer is either increased or decreased.

Abstract: A cross member unit (9) has a cross member (10) with four arms (11). Two each are centered on axes (y, z) extending perpendicular relative to one another. The two arms (11) of one axis (y, z) are received in one yoke arm (19) of a joint yoke. Each arm (11) is associated with a bearing bush (13) rotatably supported by rolling contact members (14). A centering element (23), with a pressure element (29) and a spring element (28), are positioned in each arm. The spring element (28) is supported against the arm (11) and loads the bearing bush (13) via the pressure element (29). The bearing bushes (13) associated with one axis (y, z) are received in the two yoke arms (19) of a joint yoke. If the yoke arms (19) are deformed due to rotational-speed-related centrifugal forces, the pressure elements (29) remain in contact with the bearing bushes (13). In this way, the cross member unit (9) is held in a centered way relative to the joint yoke.