With Particular Bearing Or Bushing Mounted On Pin Patents (Class 464/132)
  • Patent number: 11879443
    Abstract: A joint for the angularly adjustable drive-connection of a cylinder block and a driveshaft of a hydrostatic bent axis piston unit. The joint has a shank which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis defining a joint axis, on both ends of the shank roller carriers project radially and basically perpendicular to the joint axis. On each roller carrier a roller is provided rotatable around a roller axis. The rollers are secured in axial direction against slipping-off of the roller carriers by means of an embossed area located axially outside of the roller on the respective distal end portion of the roller carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: DANFOSS POWER SOLUTIONS GMBH & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Jan Widderich, Hauke Marsch, Björn Dörntge
  • Patent number: 11701666
    Abstract: A base and ring assembly for a grinding mill includes a base structure with a support plate, an annular support-ring fixedly secured to and positioned above the support plate. The support-ring has a radially inward facing convex surface that extends from a support-ring lower axial end to a support-ring upper axial end. The assembly includes an annular grinding-ring that has a radially outward facing concave surface which extends from a grinding-ring lower axial end to a grinding-ring upper axial end. The grinding ring has a radially inward facing grinding surface. The radially outward facing concave surface is complementary in shape to and engages the radially inward facing convex surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Schenck Process LLC
    Inventors: Jesus Temores, Michael M. Chen
  • Patent number: 11097837
    Abstract: A gimbal joint may employ a plurality of wear sleeves, each disposed between a pin or pin receptive bore of a first structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a second structure and between another pin or bore of the second structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a third structure. Each of these structures may be adapted to rotate in a single plane, with one structure adapted to also tilt about a first axis, and one other structure adapted to tilt about a second axis. Each integral flanged wear sleeve may comprise a right circular hollow cylindrical body portion, which may be interiorly sized to be retained on one of the pins and externally sized to be retained in one of the pin receptive bores, and a flange portion may radiate from one end of the cylindrical body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wayne Baldwin, Kyle Thomas Cravener
  • Patent number: 8939844
    Abstract: Cross-type universal joint and a shell-type needle bearing that is used therein. The portions on the outer surface of the shell-type outer ring for which there is a possibility of coming in sliding contact with the tip end edges of at least two seal lips of a plurality of seal lips of a seal ring are selectively covered with a corrosion resistant coating. Preferably, the entire outer surface of the shell-type outer ring is covered by a chemically treated film having anti-corrosion properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Higuchi, Eisho Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8757880
    Abstract: A rolling element of a tripod joint and a tripod joint which has a rolling element is provided. In the rolling element, an annular spring element is provided which spreads the housing inner body and a first housing part and a second housing part of the rolling element apart and presses rolling bodies of the rolling element against raceways of the outer part of the tripod joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Marco Zornhagen, Alexander Mick
  • Publication number: 20130260902
    Abstract: A rolling element of a tripod joint and a tripod joint which has a rolling element is provided. In the rolling element, an annular spring element is provided which spreads the housing inner body and a first housing part and a second housing part of the rolling element apart and presses rolling bodies of the rolling element against raceways of the outer part of the tripod joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Marco ZORNHAGEN, Alexander MICK
  • Publication number: 20130160965
    Abstract: A universal joint having a hub formed by molding a material around four stub axles which are arranged so that a first and second stub axle are axially aligned and a third and fourth stub axle are axially aligned. Furthermore, the axes of the first and second stub axles are perpendicular to and coplanar with the axes of the third and fourth stub axles. A bearing is positioned around each stub axle. A first yoke is then molded around two aligned stub axle bearings and an end of a first axle while, similarly, a second axle is molded around the bearings on the other pair of stub axles and an end of a second axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Panther Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Irvine
  • Patent number: 8382599
    Abstract: A universal joint arrangement with a journal cross, supported by bearings in two joint yokes offset to one another by 90°. Each joint yoke comprises a flange and two bearings. Each bearing has an axial bearing pressure disk that is supported by a first connection element on the joint yoke and a second connection element on the journal cross to form a first and second friction pairing. One of the connection elements has at least one elevated support region facing the axial bearing pressure disk. The support region is arranged in the region of low relative movement of the joint yoke with the journal cross, while the regions other than the support region lie in the region of greatest relative motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Grawenhof, Hans Rosle
  • Patent number: 8366558
    Abstract: An outer ring, an inner ring and a ball that are a rolling contact member formed of sintered ? sialon inexpensive and capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability, is constituted of a sintered body containing ? sialon as a main component and having a remainder formed of an impurity, and the outer ring, the inner ring and the ball have raceway/rolling contact surfaces, i.e., an outer ring raceway surface, an inner ring raceway surface and a ball rolling contact surface included in a portion having an outer ring high density layer, an inner ring high density layer and a ball high density layer higher in density than an inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8308577
    Abstract: A secured bearing arrangement for at least one journal of a universal joint, said journal being rotatable about an axis of rotation while being mounted in a housing. The bearing arrangement comprises at least one universal joint housing that is provided with at least one bore which extends in the direction of an axis and has an internal surface as a bearing surface. A bearing bush which has a bearing axis and inside which the journal is mounted so as to be rotatable about its axis or rotation, is mounted on the internal surface within the bore. A securing element allows the bearing bush to be secured within the bore in one axial direction of the bearing axis, said one axial direction facing away from the journal. The securing element is disposed between the mounted bearing bush and the universal joint housing in a radial direction of the bearing axis while being connected to the universal joint housing between the mounted bearing bush and the universal joint housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ELBE Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Achim Braun, Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8157656
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bearing cup assembly for a universal joint comprising a cylindrically elongated bearing cup, the bearing cup having a cylindrical sidewall, a closed bottom wall, and an open top. The bearing cup is positioned over, and rotates freely on, a cylindrically elongated trunnion which is associated with the universal joint. The bearing cup assembly further comprises a lubricant-impregnated powder metal mass disposed within the bearing cup and positioned between the sidewall and closed bottom wall of the bearing cup and the trunnion. The assembly further comprises a circular seal having an open center and being disposed about the open top of the bearing cup. The trunnion is disposed within the open center of the circular seal and the seal is in close interfitment with the open top and the trunnion so as to form an impenetrable closure therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Bryan Prucher
  • Patent number: 8105172
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a rotatable hub defining a load transfer surface. A porous bearing surrounds and is movable relative to the hub. The bearing includes bearing surfaces extending radially toward the hub. A grease is disposed between the porous bearing and the hub. The grease includes a grease base oil and functions as a lubricant between the hub and the bearing. The grease generally maintains separation between the transfer surface and the bearing surfaces while simultaneously removing debris from an area defined between one of the bearing surfaces and the transfer surface. A bearing base oil is impregnated in the porous bearing and is substantially similar to the grease base oil for replenishing the grease base oil as the grease base oil is depleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Walter J. Maciag
  • Patent number: 8057312
    Abstract: A needle bearing functioning as a rolling element comprises a uniform-diameter body part and bottom surfaces shaped in flat surfaces. A tapered reduced-diameter part and a chamfered part are interposed between the body part and the bottom surface. A gentle reduction in diameter is first made by the tapered reduced-diameter part, and then a relatively sharp reduction in diameter is made by the chamfered part. Consequently, in the needle bearings adjacent to each other, their tapered reduced-diameter parts are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunta Osako
  • Patent number: 8033738
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided including at least one needle roller that is resiliently compressible in response to a load applied to an exterior surface thereof. In addition, a method is provided for taking up a clearance between one or more first rollers and a bearing race in which the rollers are positioned. At least one resiliently compressible second roller is provided rollably secured within the bearing. The compressible second roller has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of any of the first rollers, such that the compressible second roller resiliently compresses when the bearing is positioned in the bearing race. Forces generated by compression of the resiliently compressible second roller urge the first rollers against a surface of the bearing race, thereby taking up the clearance between the first rollers and the race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventors: Richard P. Nash, Ravi Ravindra, Michael D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110143844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a universal joint arrangement with a journal cross, supported by bearings in two joint yokes offset to one another by 90° and in reflected arrangement to the plane of symmetry of the journal cross located perpendicular to the joint axis; each joint yoke comprises a flange part and two bearing parts, wherein each bearing part exhibits a bearing bore, in which the journals of the journal cross are supported by bearings; each journal is supported by means of a bearing arrangement; the bearing arrangement comprises one radial bearing and one axial bearing, wherein the axial bearing is designed as a friction bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: VOITH TURBO GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Grawenhof, Hans Rosle
  • Publication number: 20110105236
    Abstract: The invention refers to a fork specially designed to ensure that the ends or heads of the crosstree are located inside the bushing where these heads plus an anti-friction sleeve are housed. These are preferably made from a plastic material or similar, in the Teflon group of plastics giving some form of elasticity to the aforementioned sleeve. The invention has the aim of absorbing possible misalignment when the rotating shafts are joined by universal joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Melchor Daumal Castellon
  • Patent number: 7892099
    Abstract: A universal joint arrangement with a journal cross, supported by bearings in two joint yokes offset to one another by 90°. Each joint yoke comprises a flange and two bearings. Each bearing has an axial bearing mold element that is supported by a connection element on the joint yoke and at least indirectly on the journal cross to form a first and second friction pairing. The mold element has a planar face and a second face having at least one elevated support region facing the first or second friction pairing, and is arranged with the support region on the connection element, which elastically deflects under load. The regions on the second face other than the support region are free from contact with the connection element in every load state. The support region is arranged in the region of low relative movement of the connection element with the journal cross, while the regions other than the support region lie in the region of greatest relative motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Grawenhof, Hans Rosle
  • Patent number: 7850529
    Abstract: A combination of an annular spacer, and a thrust washer in the opening of the spacer. The spacer and the thrust washer being connected by sacrificial tabs dimensioned to be stronger toward one of the spacer and thrust washer so that upon breaking of the sacrificial tabs, the tab remnants will stay with the one of the spacer and the washer to which it was more strongly attached. A trunnion on a spider of a universal joint and the trunnion is to be connected to a yoke arm. The trunnion being received in a trunnion cup. The spacer and the thrust washer combination being toward the bottom of the cup. An array of needle bearings around the periphery of the trunnion inside the cup. An annular seal in the cup sealing around the installed trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Kenneth Rogers, Kenneth Lefew, John Therriault
  • Patent number: 7846031
    Abstract: A universal joint having a spider provided with four staggered journals. A socket having an axial bearing in addition to a radial bearing is associated with each journal. The axial bearing has rolling bodies that are guided between a front surface of the journal and the bottom of the universal joint socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Alexander Zernickel, Martin Kruppa
  • Patent number: 7736238
    Abstract: A trunnion of a universal joint cross-shaped member supports a bearing cup, thrust washer, and needle bearing assembly. The thrust washer includes a first surface that faces the bearing cup and a second surface that faces an end face of the trunnion. A first lip extends outwardly from the first surface to contact the bearing cup and a second lip extends outwardly from the second surface to contact the needle bearing assembly. The first and second lips cooperate to hold the bearing cup and needle bearing assembly in a proper installation for final assembly to form a universal joint assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick L. Kurzeja
  • Patent number: 7713130
    Abstract: Tripod roller for a constant velocity joint in a tripod construction having an interior ring, an exterior ring, and roller bodies arranged therebetween, whereby provided on the interior and on the exterior ring are two mutually opposing annular shoulders that limit the axial movement of the roller bodies in one direction. One of the rings has another annular shoulder for limiting the axial movement of the roller bodies in the other direction, while other ring is axially extended and has a circumferential annular groove in which is received a radially projecting locking ring that laterally overlaps the one ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignees: IFA-Technologies GmbH Haldersleben, Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Piotr Olszweski, Wolfgang Crackau
  • Patent number: 7682254
    Abstract: A cross joint is provided which is adapted to prevent a shaft portion and rollers from being damaged when a bearing cup having the rollers on an inner periphery thereof is assembled to a cross shaft. The cross joint includes: a cross shaft 1 including four shaft portions 3; a closed-end cylindrical bearing cup 5; and plural needle rollers 6 having the first end portions thereof located on an opening side of the bearing cup 5 and arranged along the raceway surface of the bearing cup 5. An inner periphery of the bearing cup 5 includes a tapered surface portion. 11 increased in diameter toward the opening side. When the plural needle rollers 6 arranged along the inner periphery of the bearing cup 5 are fitted about the shaft portion 3, the tapered surface portion 11 allows the needle rollers 6 to incline as shifting the first end portions radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Araki
  • Patent number: 7661939
    Abstract: A compressor drive shaft may include a first bearing portion, a second bearing portion, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The intermediate portion may include a continuous, nonlinear, central axis in an unloaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaogen Su, Weihua Guo, Yong Cao
  • Patent number: 7641558
    Abstract: An annular member is installed on a circular cylinder section of a trunnion, and a roller member, in the inner periphery of which a needle bearing is held, is installed on the circular cylinder section. The needle bearing is held between a flange section formed on one end of the roller member and the annular member installed on the trunnion with a predetermined gap between them. Further, a gap (X) between the needle bearing and the annular member is set to satisfy the following relationship. X>R/2·(1/cos ? max?1) where R: Radius of rotation of the center of the roller member relative to the center axis of an outer member. ? max: Maximum inclination angle of an inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kawakatsu, Takahiro Ogura, Naoto Shibata, Shouichi Nakao, Tomonori Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7641559
    Abstract: A tripod constant velocity universal joint including an outer joint member having axially extending track grooves formed at three circumferentially equispaced positions in the inner periphery. A tripod member having a trunnion barrel adapted to be fitted to a shaft for torque transmission and trunnion journals radially projecting from three circumferentially equispaced positions in the trunnion barrel. Rollers respectively attached to the trunnion journals for rotation through a plurality of needle rollers and received in the track grooves. Each roller is guided at its outer peripheral surface by roller guide surfaces formed in opposite lateral walls of the track groove. A skew angle of the needle rollers is controlled so that it is within a predetermined specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Watanabe, Hideki Kondo, Kenji Terada, Hisaaki Kura
  • Patent number: 7641560
    Abstract: A linkage coupling a drum foot pedal rotor to a drum beater apparatus comprising in combination an elongated link, a first universal joint coupling the rotor to the link, and a second universal joint coupling the link to the apparatus, at least one of the universal joints coupling first and second components relatively rotatable about a transverse axis, two transversely spaced bearings carried by the first component, each bearing including annular inner and outer races and bearing balls located between the races, there being members tightly coupling the inner races to the second component at transversely spaced locations, whereas the inner races are offset transversely relative to the outer races to thereby clamp the balls transversely between the races, and immobilizing means joining the outer races to the first component, and/or the members to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Drum Workshop, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Sikra
  • Patent number: 7597627
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint, wherein all rolling elements annularly held by a tool are inserted into an inner diameter part from one end opposite to the flange part of a roller member along the axis of the inner diameter part of the roller member or the rolling elements remaining after one rolling element is removed from all rolling elements are charged into the inner diameter part and the removed one rolling element is inserted into a clearance between the rolling elements from the other end along the axis of the inner diameter part. After all rolling elements are fitted into the inner diameter part of the rolling member, a snap ring is fitted into an annular groove formed at the end part of the inner diameter part on the opposite side of the flange part to hold the rolling elements between the flange part and the snap ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouichi Nakao, Tsutomu Kawakatsu, Masanori Kosugi
  • Patent number: 7517173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing element, a universal joint and an offshore construction, comprising such a bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Single Bouy Moorings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Pollack, Nabil Demian
  • Publication number: 20090011841
    Abstract: A cross for a universal joint includes a body including an outwardly extending trunnion and a bearing cup mounted on the trunnion. A thrust washer is disposed between the trunnion and the bearing cup. The thrust washer includes an outer edge portion, a spacer portion that extends from the outer edge portion and is curved in cross sectional shape, a spring portion that extends generally radially inwardly from the spacer portion and is shaped generally in the form of a hollow cone, and an inner lip portion that extends inwardly from the spring portion. The thrust washer absorbs thrust loads that occur between an outer end surface of the trunnion and an inner surface of a closed end of the bearing cup and takes up any axial looseness therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Dawhorng D. Wang
  • Patent number: 7448951
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a first joint yoke and a second joint yoke having respective base portions. Each of the joint yokes has two yoke arms that are attached on the respective base portions. Each of the yoke arms ends in a free end and has an inner face facing toward the longitudinal axis and an outer face facing away from the inner face. Each of the yoke arms has a bearing bore extending between the outer face and the inner face. The inner face of each of the yoke arms has a first recess that is open toward the free end and that ends in the corresponding bearing bore. A journal cross assembly includes a journal cross having four circular cylindrical trunnions arranged at right angles toward each other, each trunnion supporting a bearing bushing having a cylindrical envelope face and a cylindrical bore. The bearing bushings are supported on the trunnions by rolling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Spicer Gelenkwellenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Gille, Andreas Wons
  • Patent number: 7445554
    Abstract: A universal joint comprises first and second joint yokes having axially opposite yoke arms with bearing bores configured to receive bearings having pin bores, a cross member comprising orthogonally-arranged pin bearers having pins configured to be inserted into the pin bores, and at least one insulation element configured to be inserted between the pins and respective pin bores or the bearings and respective bearing bores, the at least one insulation element having an elliptical cross section that forms crescent-shaped recesses between its inner wall and the pin or bearing that resides therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Norbert Gross, Thomas Schmitz Dr
  • Publication number: 20080254902
    Abstract: Disclosed is a universal joint including a tube, a slip bush inserted into the tube, and a shaft inserted into and slidably engaged with the tube via the slip bush. The universal joint further includes: one or more rows of guide holes formed by perforating a circumferential wall of the slip bush, the rows being arranged in the longitudinal direction of the slip bush; one or more guide balls fitted in the guide holes, respectively; and one or more C-type parts longitudinally formed on the circumferential wall of the slip bush. When axial pressure is applied to the universal joint in a state in which rotational torque is applied to the universal joint, the guide balls fitted in the guide holes come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the tube, thereby reducing sliding frictional force while producing rolling frictional force so that the universal joint can be smoothly collapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Young-sock Jung
  • Publication number: 20080207340
    Abstract: A trunnion of a universal joint cross-shaped member supports a bearing cup, thrust washer, and needle bearing assembly. The thrust washer includes a first surface that faces the bearing cup and a second surface that faces an end face of the trunnion. A first lip extends outwardly from the first surface to contact the bearing cup and a second lip extends outwardly from the second surface to contact the needle bearing assembly. The first and second lips cooperate to hold the bearing cup and needle bearing assembly in a proper installation for final assembly to form a universal joint assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Patrick L. Kurzeja
  • Publication number: 20080194342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a universal joint comprising a spider provided with four staggered journals. A socket comprising an axial bearing in addition to a radial bearing is associated with each journal. Said axial bearing comprises rolling bodies that are guided between a front surface of the journal and the bottom of the universal joint socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Alexander Zernickel, Martin Kruppa
  • Patent number: 7396283
    Abstract: A ball assembly (118) for a tripot-style joint includes an annular outer ball (124) having a central axis (L) extending therethrough and a depression (182) formed therein. A plurality of needle rollers (122) is positioned along an interior of the outer ball (124). A needle roller retainer (140) is provided for retaining the needle rollers (122) within the outer ball (124) during operation of the ball assembly (118). The retainer (140) has a base portion (142) axially opposed to an end portion (121) of the needle roller (122), and a flange portion (144) extending from the base portion (142) into the depression (182), the flange portion (144) of the retainer (140) being resiliently pivotable within the depression (182) in response to application of an axial load to the retainer (140). In a particular embodiment, an inner ball (120) is positioned in the interior of the outer ball (124f), and a series of resilient tabs (148f) extends from the base portion (142f) of the retainer (140f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Perrow, David H. Ritter
  • Patent number: 7371179
    Abstract: A tripod constant-velocity universal joint has three guide grooves extending axially along an outer cup, trunnions projecting from a spider inserted into the outer cup, and rollers rotatably mounted on the trunnions through rolling elements. The rollers rotate and slide against guide surfaces of the guide grooves. The rolling elements have flat end faces and are assembled into the rollers by a keystone process. The rollers have flanges for preventing dislodgement of the rolling elements from the rollers. If a distance X by which a rolling element moves radially is maximum, the ratio (W/Dn) of the width W of contact between inner side surfaces of the flanges to the diameter Dn of the rolling element is in a range of from 0% to 30%, and the height h of the flanges also is set to satisfy the ratio value (W/Dn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kawakatsu, Shinichi Momonoi, Hideki Sugado
  • Patent number: 7357720
    Abstract: A cross joint comprises yokes each formed with a bearing hole and a spider shaft rotatably fitted into the bearing hole through a rolling bearing. The spider shaft is formed with a contact portion with the rolling bearing, the contact portion having its outside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the spider shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 7338378
    Abstract: A journal cross includes a trunnion having a lubricant passageways formed therethrough. A retainer is disposed in the lubricant passageway and includes a body portion and a lip portion. The body portion of the retainer is retained within the lubricant passageway in a press fit relationship, and the lip portion of the retainer extends inwardly into the lubricant passageway. The bearing cup includes a thrust washer that is retained therein by needle bearings and a seal assembly. The thrust washer includes a projection that extends radially inwardly within the lubricant passageway and has one or more fingers provided thereon. When the bearing cup is installed on the trunnion, the fingers of the thrust washer cooperate with the lip portion of the retainer to retain the bearing cup on the trunnion, such as during shipment from one manufacturing location to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Johnny N. Smith
  • Patent number: 7189162
    Abstract: A universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages an inner surface of the lubricant passage to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 7178984
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for supporting a universal joint trunnion in an outer cup includes a radial bearing having cylindrical rolling elements disposed between the trunnion and the outer cup, and a resistance member made of a material to allow elastic deformation and bearing upon a confronting surface area of an end surface of the trunnion. The resistance member and the trunnion are hereby so configured either alone or in combination as to form a large lubricant reservoir. Disposed at a distance to the end surface of the trunnion is a stop member to define an axial gap, whereby the stop member inhibits an axial movement of the trunnion after the trunnion has moved in axial direction to close the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Martin Kruppa
  • Patent number: 7160192
    Abstract: Across shaft has four trunnions externally provided with roller bearings in a plurality of rows. Each of the trunnions is formed with a recess at its distal end face. A bottom region of the recess is formed in a spherical shape. An inner diameter of an opening region of the recess except the bottom region in a spherical shape is set to be gradually larger toward an opening end edge of the recess. A depth of the recess from the opening end edge to the deepest point is set to be 30 to 70% of the total length of the rollers in an axial direction. By providing this recess is a shape of a punch bowl, rigidity of each of the trunnions of the cross shaft can be reduced, while securing sufficient strength of the trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Komeyama, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7125339
    Abstract: A ball body is guided in a partially cylindrical hole into which a guide ring is inserted to secure it axially and to guide the pivoting movement. The tripod joint is suitable for the displaceable and pivotable driving connection of two shaft ends, in particular in conjunction with drive trains or side shafts of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Henkel, Peter Muenich, Rolf Schroeder, Guenter Woerner
  • Patent number: 7118484
    Abstract: A cross joint comprises yokes each formed with a bearing hole and a spider shaft rotatably fitted into the bearing hole through a rolling bearing. The spider shaft is formed with a contact portion with the rolling bearing, the contact portion having its outside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the spider shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 7101285
    Abstract: A cross-shaped joint is provided with a pair of yokes each of which is integrally provided with forked arms on which opposed circular holes are formed, a spider having four end shaft portions, and four bearings for rotatably supporting the end shaft portions of the spider respectively in the circular holes of the yokes. Each of the bearings includes a cup having a cylindrical portion fitted in the circular hole of the yoke and a plurality of rolling elements provided between the inner circumferential surface of the cup and the end shaft portion of the spider. The end shaft portions of the spider are interference fitted in the bearings via the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 7044859
    Abstract: A universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages an inner surface of the lubricant passage to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 7025679
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a lubricant passage. A thrust washer engages a portion of the trunnion to retain a bearing assembly on each trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 7022021
    Abstract: A tripot universal joint has a plurality of roller assemblies mounted on trunnions of a drive shaft and run in longitudinal tracks of a housing. Each roller assembly includes a roller and a needle roller bearing for rotatably mounting the roller on a roller carrier. Each needle bearing includes a plurality of needle rollers and a cage. The cage has spaced end rings that are connected by a plurality of cross bars to retain the needle rollers with respect to the roller in the axial direction, and conformations that cooperate with the roller to retain the cage with respect to the roller in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Jay Perrow
  • Patent number: 6994627
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a pair of bifurcated yokes interconnected by a cruciform. The cruciform includes four orthogonal trunnions each including a flared end section. A bearing is retained on the trunnion by the flared end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Salvatore N. Grupido
  • Patent number: 6991545
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a bearing journal (13), especially of a cross member of a universal joint, has a bearing journal (13) with a cylindrical outer face (14), an end face (16) and a journal axis (15). A bearing element (8) has a cylindrical bearing bore (9) with a bottom face (11) and a running face (10) which is arranged at a radial distance from the outer face (14) of the bearing journal (13). Rolling-contact members (17), at their respective ends, include at least partially planar first end face (18) and second end face (19). The faces (18) and (19) are arranged between the running face (10) and the outer face (14). A stop face (20) includes an annular contact face (21) for the first end face (18) of the rolling-contact members (17). A pressure disk (22) is included with a disk portion (23) arranged between the end face (16) of the bearing journal (13) and the bottom face (11). A supporting portion (24) radially follows the disk portion (23) with reference to the journal axis (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Spicer Gelenkwellenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Schultze
  • Patent number: 6926611
    Abstract: Universal cardan joint with elastomeric bearings in which the elastomeric bearings are preloaded in compress and comprise laminated segments with reduced resistance to shear deformation or comprise rubber cords providing for reduced torsional stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Eugeny I. Rivin