Abstract: A progressing cavity pump assembly utilizes a reinforced upper section of the stator rubber helix. The pump stator is located at the end of a string of tubing. The reinforced upper section of the stator rubber helix is strong enough, whether reinforced by mechanical means or by strengthening the rubber matrix chemically, so as not to allow the passage of a stop located above or on the top of the pump rotor. The rotor is lowered on a string of rods until the stop above or on top of the rotor lands onto the reinforced upper section of the stator rubber helix. The rotor is then repositioned away from the stator helix a predetermined distance before pump operation begins with rod string rotation.

Abstract: A torque transmitting telescopic shaft (1) has an inner profile tube (2), an intermediate profile tube (3) and an outer profile tube 4. The tubes (2, 3, 4) are displaceably arranged with respect to each other for length adjustment. A connection element (5), with at least one axial elongated hole (6), is axially non-displaceably held in the intermediate profile tube (3). An engagement mechanism (7) connects with the inner profile tube (2). The engagement mechanism (7) engages the at least one axial elongated hole (6) of the connection element (5) to limit a displacement path between the inner profile tube (2) and the connection element (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering shaft, and more particularly, to a steering shaft which is provided with a misassembly prevention structure for preventing misassembly when a shaft is inserted into and assembled with a yoke.

Abstract: A torque transmission device includes: a first cover that has a cylindrical shape and that is attached to a shaft and covers an outer periphery of a sleeve; a second cover that has a cylindrical shape and that is attached to the sleeve and covers an outer periphery of the first cover; a seal that fills an annular space between the first cover and the sleeve; and a ring that is installed in a circumferentially continuous groove formed in one of an outer peripheral surface of the first cover and an inner peripheral surface of the second cover, and that is slidable on the other one of the outer peripheral surface of the first cover and the inner peripheral surface of the second cover. A labyrinth seal is constructed between the ring and the groove.

Abstract: There is provided a torque transmission device which connects two rotary shafts having shaft ends opposing each other, such that torque is transmitted through a torque transmission mechanism provided to a shaft end surface of each of the two rotary shafts. A first rotary shaft of the two rotary shafts has a double-supported structure where both end portions of the first rotary shaft are supported by bearings, respectively. A second rotary shaft of the two rotary shafts has a cantilever structure where only one end portion of the second rotary shaft opposite to the torque transmission mechanism is supported by a bearing, and the second rotary shaft is spaced from one bearing of the bearings supporting the first rotary shaft, the one bearing being provided at a side of the torque transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A spline telescopic shaft includes an inner shaft having an outer tooth surface, and a cylindrical outer shaft having an inner tooth surface and arranged to fit to the inner shaft slidably in an axial direction of the inner shaft. Either one of the outer tooth surface and the inner tooth surface includes a first resin coating. The other of the outer tooth surface and the inner tooth surface includes a second resin coating. The second resin coating is formed by processing for sliding an intermediate member for manufacturing the inner shaft and an intermediate member for manufacturing the outer shaft in the axial direction, to transfer a part of a resin material provided in the intermediate member for manufacturing the shaft including the one tooth surface for forming the first resin coating to the intermediate member for manufacturing the shaft including the other tooth surface.

Abstract: A propeller shaft includes a first shaft having a yoke at one end, a second shaft slidably connected to the other end of the first shaft, and a surface treated member which is arranged at a connecting portion, at which the first shaft and the second shaft are connected to each other, and to which surface treatment for improving slidability of the second shaft with respect to the first shaft is applied. The surface treated member is formed by a substrate which is separate from the first shaft and the second shaft and to which the surface treatment has been applied. The surface treated member is arranged at the connecting portion, at which the first shaft and the second shaft are connected to each other, after the surface treatment is applied.

Abstract: An antifriction bushing is provided for the bearing of a telescopable steering spindle having an inner spindle and an outer spindle which are disposed coaxially with respect to one another and displaceably with respect to one another and for the torque transmission have a cross section differing from circular. Between the outer spindle and the inner spindle, an interspace is provided for receiving the antifriction bushing consisting of a thermoplastic synthetic material or comprising such material. The bushing includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and consists of a mixture comprising the material PEEK and additionally at least one of the materials PTFE at a volume fraction of up to maximally 15% and/or graphite at a volume fraction of up to maximally 15% and/or carbon fibers at a volume fraction of up to maximally 40%.

Abstract: A small-size, highly-reliable left-right independent steering device is provided without having to make significant modifications to existing vehicles or to develop dedicated vehicles. The device includes tie rods linked to left and right front wheels and axially expandable and contractible by means of small-size telescopic mechanism portions defined by ball-screw-type linear actuators. Each telescopic mechanism portion mainly includes a main body to which a tie-rod end of the corresponding tie rod is fixed, and an electric motor serving as an actuator attached substantially perpendicularly to the main body. The other end of the tie rod is coupled to a steering rod and functions as a piston rod that can advance or recede in the axial direction by means of the telescopic mechanism portion. Thus, the telescopic mechanism portions are mountable within tire wheels at positions free of, for example, suspension arms and stabilizers located near the tie rods.

Abstract: A propeller shaft includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a torque transmission face in which a plurality of fine grooves extending in a first direction (face width direction) is formed. The second spline shaft is coupled to the first spline shaft so as to be movable relative to the first spline shaft in the axial direction of the first spline shaft, and has a torque transmission face in which a plurality of second fine grooves extending in a second direction that crosses the first direction is formed.

Abstract: A propeller shaft includes a first shaft having a yoke at one end, a second shaft slidably connected to the other end of the first shaft, and a surface treated member which is arranged at a connecting portion, at which the first shaft and the second shaft are connected to each other, and to which surface treatment for improving slidability of the second shaft with respect to the first shaft is applied. The surface treated member is formed by a substrate which is separate from the first shaft and the second shaft and to which the surface treatment has been applied. The surface treated member is arranged at the connecting portion, at which the first shaft and the second shaft are connected to each other, after the surface treatment is applied.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for a vehicle includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The second tubular member is mated to the first tubular member. The first tubular member defines a plurality of protuberances and the second tubular member includes a plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of apertures receives one of the plurality of protuberances substantially affixing the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a circumferential orientation.

Abstract: An overload protection mechanism includes a frame and a positioning assembly received in the frame. The frame includes at least one side plate, the at least one side plate defining a receiving depression. The positioning assembly includes a fixing sleeve, at least one elastic member received in the fixing sleeve, and at least one latching member positioned on the at least one elastic member and movably received in the receiving depression. The at least one side plate further defines a slanted repositioning surface adjoining the receiving depression. The positioning assembly is slidable relative to the frame with the at least one elastic member resisting the at least one latching member to press the at least one latching member along the slanted repositioning surface until the at least one latching member is received in the receiving depression.

Abstract: An antifriction bushing is provided for the bearing of a telescopable steering spindle having an inner spindle and an outer spindle which are disposed coaxially with respect to one another and displaceably with respect to one another and for the torque transmission have a cross section differing from circular. Between the outer spindle and the inner spindle, an interspace is provided for receiving the antifriction bushing consisting of a thermoplastic synthetic material or comprising such material. The bushing includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and consists of a mixture comprising the material PEEK and additionally at least one of the materials PTFE at a volume fraction of up to maximally 15% and/or graphite at a volume fraction of up to maximally 15% and/or carbon fibers at a volume fraction of up to maximally 40%.

Abstract: An intermediate shaft to adjust the height of a steering wheel to match a driver's measurements, to absorb vibrations which may be generated by the wheels and suspension up to the steering wheel, and to act as a safety measure to collapse in the event of an accident. The shaft utilizes corresponding screw/nut mechanisms comprising a nut rigidly connected to the intermediate shaft on one of the flat surfaces of a female shaft and a screw which turns to tighten a male shaft via an adjustment strip to allow adjustment of the sliding load and the torsional rigidity and hysteresis of the sliding intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A multi-lobed gear system is provided in which the lobes of an input gear and a corresponding, mating pair of lobes in an output gear are uniformly in contact. The lobed gear tooth profile of the present invention reduces material galling, shuttering and whipping within a drivetrain assembly in comparison to square or helical splines that incorporate single point contacts between meshed pairs. An internal pinion gear or slip yoke internal shaft employs a lobed gear tooth profile that forms a sinusoidal outer perimeter shape. The perimeter surface is in constant contact with the complementary shaft or gear across its entire surface. A small clearance gap may be provided for lubrication, fitment and manufacturing considerations.

Abstract: In a high-speed rotating shaft (10) of a supercharger which is rotatably supported by two radial bearings (12a, 12b) spaced at a fixed distance (L), directly couples a turbine impeller fixed to one end and a compressor impeller fixed to the other end, and transmits a rotational driving force of the turbine impeller to the compressor impeller, a small shaft portion (14) having a smaller diameter than a bearing portion is provided between bearings. The small shaft portion (14) is offset to a compressor side.

Abstract: An automatic transmission that includes an input shaft; an output shaft; and a speed change mechanism portion that shifts a rotation of the input shaft to be transmitted to the output shaft, wherein: the output shaft has a spline formed in a range in which the output shaft fits in a power transmission shaft included in a vehicle, and n-stage (n is an integer of at least 2) chamfering is performed on a larger diameter portion of the spline.

Abstract: A propeller shaft includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a torque transmission face in which a plurality of fine grooves extending in a first direction (face width direction) is formed. The second spline shaft is coupled to the first spline shaft so as to be movable relative to the first spline shaft in the axial direction of the first spline shaft, and has a torque transmission face in which a plurality of second fine grooves extending in a second direction that crosses the first direction is formed.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a tube having a hollow shape; a slip bush inserted into the tube; and a shaft assembled with the tube through the slip bush, wherein the slip bush includes power transmission parts, which are arranged along an circumferential surface of the slip bush in an axial direction and have pins positioned at centers of the power transmission parts and supports supporting both ends of each pin, and elastic parts, which are arranged along the circumferential surface of the slip bush while being spaced from the power transmission parts and have a section with a C-shape, which is formed in such a manner that a side portion is cut out in the axial direction. Therefore, strength and rigidity are improved, even when twist is generated in the universal joint, so that clearance and noise due to abrasion, pressing, etc. can be minimized.

Abstract: An open end of a sleeve (spline-fitted to a male yoke) remote from a connecting portion of the male yoke is closed by a first lid member. A through hole is formed axially through the male yoke, and includes a cylindrical first passage portion, and a cylindrical second passage portion which is disposed at that side of the first passage portion close to the first lid member and is smaller in inner diameter than the first passage portion. A second lid member is disposed to close that open end of the through hole remote from the first lid member. Air vent holes are formed through the second lid member to extend in an axial direction, and are disposed so as to partially overlap with a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the first passage portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method of installing an axially adjustable driveshaft assembly in a drive train system is described. Two hollow driveshaft sections, where one has a valve through an aperture in it and each has an end fitting, engage each other to form an axially adjustable driveshaft assembly that has a sealed internal chamber within. When a pressurized air or vacuum source is connected to the valve, air fills the chamber or air is removed from the chamber, which correspondingly increases or decreases a drive train system length. This results in facilitating the installation of the driveshaft assembly between a transmission and an axle assembly in a drive train system.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a tubular slip member having a first spline member having a plurality of splines formed thereon having a first tolerance and a second spline member having a plurality of spline sections. The plurality of spline sections includes a plurality of splines formed thereon having a second tolerance. The second spline member cooperates with the first spline member. A zone is disposed on the second spline member and has a first profile. The zone is disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of spline sections of the second spline member, and the first profile defines a clearance relative to the first spline member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plug shaft and/or a socket shaft for use in a shaft connection system of a wind turbine. The plug shaft includes a tapered plug end portion for engaging a tapered socket end portion in the shaft connection system. The socket shaft includes a tapered socket end portion for engaging a tapered plug end portion in the shaft connection system. The present disclosure also relates to a shaft connection system of a wind turbine. The shaft connection system includes a first shaft comprising a first tapered end portion and a second shaft comprising a second tapered end portion.

Abstract: An improved modular disc cutterhead connecting drive shaft configuration having a means for laterally centering the shaft between adjacent cutterhead modules thereby equalizing engagement on each end of the shaft with the module connectors. Further durability improvement is realized by a structure to radially center the shaft in the shaft receptacles of each module to maintain uniform loading on the shaft/receptacle interface which improves the durability of the connecting drive shaft end connections. Additional connecting shaft durability is provided by a means to lubricate the drive shaft connector connecting interfaces using lubricant reservoirs disposed within the modules.

Abstract: A telescopable shaft assembly has at least two shaft elements capable of sliding in one another as an internal shaft element and an outer shaft element connected to one another in torque transmitting manner via at least one sliding splined portion. An axial fixation defines predetermined breaking point between the shaft elements. The axial fixation becomes ineffective once a predetermined impact force acting in a telescoping direction is reached. The shaft elements are movable relative to one another, once the axial fixation has become ineffective, in low-friction manner along the sliding splined portion under the action of the impact force. When the axial fixation is effective, an annular gap is formed between a splined portion runout on a free end of the outer shaft element and an unsplined portion of the inner shaft element. The annular gap, at least in the area of the free end of the outer shaft element, is at least partially filled with a sealant.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring torque from a crankshaft to a dual input transmission includes: a flywheel connected at one end to the crankshaft and at the opposite end to a torque transmitting device or dual clutch. The flywheel has a first coupling member that is configured to engage a second coupling member attached to a center plate of the dual clutch. The first coupling member is fixedly secured to the second coupling member by a fastening means. A dual clutch actuation device generates the axial compression force required to compress a first and second set of frictional elements of a dual clutch.

Abstract: A device for transmitting torque between a flywheel rotatably connected to an engine and a dual clutch transmission. The device includes a first substantially u-shaped member fixed to a perimeter of a dual clutch of the dual clutch transmission. The first substantially u-shaped member defines a slot having an open end. The second substantially u-shaped member is attached to a perimeter of the flywheel. The second substantially u-shaped member includes a support member for supporting an engagement member. The first substantially u-shaped member fits at least partially within the second substantially u-shaped member. The pair of bushings disposed proximate the engagement member between the first and second coupling members.

Abstract: There is provided a spline telescopic shaft having first and second shafts that are fitted to each other slidably in an axial direction. First and second splines that engage with each other are respectively provided in the first and second shafts. A resin coating that is provided on at least a tooth surface of the first spline is fitted to a tooth surface of the second spline. The resin coating is subjected to heat fitting processing for sliding the first and second shafts in the axial direction under predetermined conditions, to fit a surface of the resin coating to the tooth surface of the second spline.

Abstract: A spline telescopic shaft includes an inner shaft having an outer tooth surface, and a cylindrical outer shaft having an inner tooth surface and arranged to fit to the inner shaft slidably in an axial direction of the inner shaft. Either one of the outer tooth surface and the inner tooth surface includes a first resin coating. The other of the outer tooth surface and the inner tooth surface includes a second resin coating. The second resin coating is formed by processing for sliding an intermediate member for manufacturing the inner shaft and an intermediate member for manufacturing the outer shaft in the axial direction, to transfer a part of a resin material provided in the intermediate member for manufacturing the shaft including the one tooth surface for forming the first resin coating to the intermediate member for manufacturing the shaft including the other tooth surface.

Abstract: A groove profile for a positive hub-shaft connection has a hub having a plurality of grooves with an essentially quadrilateral groove cross section and a shaft having a plurality of grooves with an essentially quadrilateral groove cross section. Additionally, the groove profile has at least one rib radially projecting from one of the grooves of the hub or shaft towards one of the grooves of the other of the hub or shaft.

Abstract: An improved modular disc cutterhead connecting drive shaft configuration having a means for laterally centering the shaft between adjacent cutterhead modules thereby equalizing engagement on each end of the shaft with the module connectors. Further durability improvement is realized by a structure to radially center the shaft in the shaft receptacles of each module to maintain uniform loading on the shaft/receptacle interface which improves the durability of the connecting drive shaft end connections. Additional connecting shaft durability is provided by a means to lubricate the drive shaft connector connecting interfaces using lubricant reservoirs disposed within the modules.

Abstract: A torque transmission device is provided with an outer tube having a non-circular internal circumference and an inner tube having a non-circular external circumference inserted into the outer tube. The two tubes have a predefined rotational clearance as the result of a gap formed between the internal and the external circumference. At least one elastic wire cushion-like element is provided in the gap between the two tubes. The two tubes are displaceable in relation to one another, in the longitudinal direction of the tube, in such a way as to make possible length compensation, even under load.

Abstract: A rigid torque-transmitting coupling includes two members and a coating on one member or on carrier disposed between the members. The carrier has opposing contact faces disposed against a separate member connection face. The coating includes a fixing layer disposed on the connection member face or one carrier face, and a plurality of particles are disposed within the fixing layer to secure the particles on the member or carrier. Each particle has a hardness of at least 9 on the Mohs scale and at least twenty-five percent of the particles within any area of the coating extend outwardly from the fixing layer outer surface. Further, each member contacts either the other member or the coating carrier with a pressure of about 90 MPa and 180 MPa. The surface(s) carrying the coating are formed of a harder material than the member faces engaged by the coating.

Abstract: A thermal coupling includes a first structure having a first coefficient of thermal expansion; a second structure having a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion; a plurality of thermal expansion fingers provided in the first structure; a plurality of thermal expansion flanges extending from the plurality of thermal expansion fingers, respectively; and a flange extending from the second structure and attached to the plurality of thermal expansion flanges.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly that includes a first shaft member, a second shaft member, a bearing assembly and a sensor. The first shaft member has a magnetically encoded zone with a magnetic field that varies as a function of the torque that is transmitted through the first shaft member. The second shaft member is coupled for rotation with the first shaft member. The bearing assembly comprises a bearing support, which is configured to be coupled to a vehicle structure, and a bearing that is housed in the bearing support. The bearing journally supports the first shaft member for rotation about a first axis. The sensor is coupled to the bearing assembly. The sensor is arranged to sense the magnetic field of the magnetically encoded zone and responsively produce an electrical signal.

Abstract: A propshaft assembly has an inner tube, an outer tube having an end splined to the inner tube thereby defining an engagement area between the inner tube and the outer tube. The propshaft assembly also includes at least one stiffening ring disposed around the outer tube. At least a portion of the stiffening ring is in contact with the outer tube.

Abstract: A multi-part longitudinal drive shaft of a motor vehicle consists of two shaft sections that are each formed by a shaft tube connected with each other by a homokinetic displacement joint. The outer diameter of the shaft tube in the second shaft section is smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft tube of the first section. The outer joint ring of the homokinetic displacement joint is firmly connected with the shaft tube of the first shaft section and a ball hub of the joint is connected with the second shaft section. When a specific axial position is exceeded, the homokinetic displacement joint can be broken down. The individual parts of the two shaft sections can be displaced into one another, after break-down of the homokinetic displacement joint, so that the second shaft section is displaced in the direction of the first shaft section.

Abstract: A spline shaft that can suppress occurrence of stick slip by measures other than just simply making the surface roughness smaller. The spline shaft includes a first shaft with an outer-peripheral spline formed, and a second shaft with an inner-peripheral spline, which engages with the outer-peripheral spline peripherally and that is made slidable axially, formed. And, at least either one of the outer-peripheral spline and the inner-peripheral spline includes a substrate whose surface is formed to a predetermined surface roughness, and an amorphous carbon-system hard thin film, which coats and forms the surface of substrate.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly includes a sleeve having an inner surface with a first splined portion, and a biasing system biasing a rolling member through the first splined portion. A drive assembly includes the sleeve assembly and a shaft with a second splined portion engageable with the first splined portion of the shaft. When the sleeve assembly is coupled with the shaft to form the drive assembly, the biasing system biases the rolling member into engagement with the second splined portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A telescopable shaft assembly has at least two shaft elements capable of sliding in one another as an internal shaft element and an outer shaft element connected to one another in torque transmitting manner via at least one sliding splined portion. An axial fixation defines predetermined breaking point between the shaft elements. The axial fixation becomes ineffective once a predetermined impact force acting in a telescoping direction is reached. The shaft elements are movable relative to one another, once the axial fixation has become ineffective, in low-friction manner along the sliding splined portion under the action of the impact force. When the axial fixation is effective, an annular gap is formed between a splined portion runout on a free end of the outer shaft element and an unsplined portion of the inner shaft element. The annular gap, at least in the area of the free end of the outer shaft element, is at least partially filled with a sealant.

Abstract: A displacement unit and a jointed shaft which includes such a displacement unit. The displacement unit is formed of an external part and of an internal part which can be displaced in an axial direction in the external part, in which the external and internal parts have guide paths provided with balls arranged in the guide paths for the transmission of torque.

Abstract: An apparatus is shown which comprises first and second mating components with a force limiter located between them. The force limiter includes a band of resilient material, with protrusions therealong, and a slip element. The band and the slip element are secured to the first mating component with the band arranged to apply a radial force against the slip element so as to press it against the second mating component. The frictional force between slip element and the second mating component is insufficient to separate the slip element and the band from the first mating component, so any slipping that occurs between the mating components happens at the boundary of the slip element and the second mating component. A desired slip force can be obtained by choosing a slip element with an appropriate coefficient of friction, rather than by varying the dimensions of the components.

Abstract: A sliding spline type of slip joint includes male and female splined members having portions that cooperate for concurrent rotational movement and for relative axial movement. A coating of a material is provided on the portion of the male splined member, and a plurality of ribs is provided on the coating of the material that cooperates with the portion of the female member. The ribs are separated by lands that do not cooperate with the portion of the female member. The pluralities of ribs may be circumferentially aligned with one another.

Abstract: An open end of a sleeve (spline-fitted to a male yoke) remote from a connecting portion of the male yoke is closed by a first lid member. A through hole is formed axially through the male yoke, and includes a cylindrical first passage portion, and a cylindrical second passage portion which is disposed at that side of the first passage portion close to the first lid member and is smaller in inner diameter than the first passage portion. A second lid member is disposed to close that open end of the through hole remote from the first lid member. Air vent holes are formed through the second lid member to extend in an axial direction, and are disposed so as to partially overlap with a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the first passage portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: A telescopic shaft for vehicle steering assembled into a steering shaft for a vehicle and having a female shaft and a male shaft that are so fitted to each other as to be unable to relatively rotate but to be slidable, the female shaft having its end portion attached with a seal member for preventing rain water etc from entering inside a fitting portion between the female shaft and the male shaft by sealing this fitting portion. The seal member is constructed of a high-rigidity support member and an elastic member, and an intermediate portion of the support member is bent, one end of the support member is a fixed portion fixed to the end portion of the female shaft, and at least an end portion on the other side of the support member is a fitted portion to which the elastic member is fitted so as to be in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the male shaft with frictional force.

Abstract: A shaft of a pinion gear is engaged with a ring gear extends toward the front side in a final gear case that is provided in a power transmission system between a power unit and a wheel. Splines are provided on each of an outer circumference of the shaft, and on an inner circumference of a cylindrical portion of a pinion joint that forms a receiving portion of a joint provided at the rear end of a drive shaft for transmitting power from the power unit to the pinion gear. The two splines are engaged with each other. The pinion joint is fixed to the pinion gear by a bolt that is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion formed at the lower portion of a hole in the pinion gear shaft. A flexible portion of the bolt is formed between a head portion and the threaded portion of the bolt.

Abstract: A slip joint for a steering system may include a shaft having a plurality of shaft grooves formed on an outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction; a pipe having pipe grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface, the pipe grooves facing the shaft grooves so as to define cylindrical spaces, an end of the shaft being inserted into the pipe; a first pin inserted into one of the cylindrical spaces; a second spring pin inserted into a different one of the cylindrical spaces, the second spring pin being made of a cylindrical elastic body having a longitudinal seam; a third spring pin inserted into the second spring pin, the third spring pin being made of an elastic body; and a connector for integrally connecting the second spring pin to the first pin so as to constitute a slipper.

Abstract: An air turbine starter for starting an engine includes a housing, and a flow path communicating a flow of gas therethrough; a turbine member; a clutch; and a decoupler device at least partially housed within the output member of the clutch. The decoupler device includes a first shaft portion coupled to and rotating with the output member and a second shaft portion coupled to and rotating with the engine. The first and second shaft portions are axially aligned and configured to engage each another for rotation in a first direction and to separate from each other in a second direction to decouple the output member of the clutch from the engine. The starter further includes a bearing between the inner surface of the output member and the second shaft portion for reducing friction between the second shaft portion and the inner surface of the output member when the first and second shaft portions are decoupled.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly includes a tubular slip member having a first spline member having a plurality of splines formed thereon having a first tolerance and a second spline member having a plurality of spline sections. The plurality of spline sections includes a plurality of splines formed thereon having a second tolerance. The second spline member cooperates with the first spline member. A zone is disposed on the second spline member and has a first profile. The zone is disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of spline sections of the second spline member, and the first profile defines a clearance relative to the first spline member.