Abstract: A torsion isolator (34) for transmitting torque and dampening torsionals in a driveline. The isolator includes a composite c-shaped spring (48) disposed in an annular chamber (44) of a housing (38,40) filled with torque converter fluid. The spring transmits driveline torque and attenuates torsionals. The spring also functions as a fluid displacement piston by dividing the chamber into radially inner and outer volumes (44a,44b) which vary inversely in volume in response to torque changes flexing the spring. Rapid flexing of the spring increases the fluid pressure in the decreasing volume and thereby dampens or reduces the rate of spring flexing or rebound.

Abstract: A driving appratus which includes a driving shaft which is linked to a driving member, a driven shaft which is connected with the driving shaft and which is linked to a driven member, a joint member which connects the driving shaft with the driven shaft so that a torque is transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft while absorbing the eccentricity between both shafts and an urging member which is disposed to the joint member and which urges the joint member in the axial and rotational direction in regard to the both shafts. According to this improved driving appratus, the joint member rotates under the condition which is urged by the urging member in the axial and rotational direction in regard to the driving shaft and the driven shaft and transmitts the torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a drive shaft-to-hub coupling assembly for providing vibration damping that is selective to torsional damping over lateral damping. An impeller is fixed to a drive shaft and a receiver is fixed to a rotor-bearing hub. Relative rotation between the impeller and the receiver is restricted to compression and decompression of elastomers trapped between teeth extending from the impeller and from the receiver. The elastomers function to damp torsional vibrations and torsionally induced lateral vibrations. The receiver is prevented from becoming axially misaligned with the impeller by including one or more rigid annular bushings that maintain the distance between the hub and the drive shaft, thereby preventing the elastomers from being deformed in a manner which would damp lateral vibrations. The annular bushing is mounted to allow relative rotation between the impeller and the receiver.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive coupling for preventing the transmission of thread drunkenness to a carriage or other element being driven by a lead screw. The coupling is formed with an input plate and an output plate both connected to an intermediate member. The connections via flexure members permit movement of the intermediate member relative to the coupling and the output plate to provide uniform motion to a carriage along the lead screw axis.

Abstract: The driving shaft (3) of a pump impeller (4) is extended beyond the impeller and supports the mixer (5) at its end. In order to minimize the risk for extensive damage if the mixer should hit a solid body, the shaft (6) of the mixer is very slim and manufactured of an elastic material such as spring steel.

Abstract: A fuel pump for an internal combustion engine has a rotor which is driven by the extended, rotating, mounting shaft of an electric motor armature. The shaft, with a round cross-section, extends through a round hole in the rotor with a firm fit but the shaft is slotted axially to receive the bight of a U-shaped wire which has slightly diverging legs. The rotor has axially directed, tapered, drive holes spaced from the axis on each side of the hole in the rotor. The legs project into the tapered drive holes and are retained by the resilience of the U-shaped wire.

Abstract: The adjusting movement of a control knob on a control device in the passenger compartment of an automobile is transferred to an air vent in an air shaft which leads to the passenger compartment in a simple manner requiring little space and few parts. A flexible steel shaft is coupled to the torque shaft of the control knob at an oblique angle to this torque shaft by way of a universal joint connection. To simplify construction, a first retainer for the universal joint is designed in one piece with the control knob torque shaft, and a second retainer is designed in one piece with an intermediate shaft to which the flexible steel shaft connected.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible coupling suitable for transmitting torque and accommodating axial and angular misalignment between drive and driven members. The coupling includes at least one reinforcing rim disposed between a pair of hubs having a plurality of projecting pins about which are secured filaments that are coated with a flexible matrix material. The filaments are geodesically wrapped from the hub one side of the reinforcing ring and then to the hub on the opposite side of the reinforcing ring. The driven and driven members are respectively attached to the projecting pins.

Abstract: A guidewire or guiding element for vascular catheters, particularly balloon dilatation catheters having an elongated core member with a tapered distal portion with a flexible length of interfitting links on the tapered distal portion. The individual links generally comprise a base with an aperture therein and a plurality of upwardly extending arms with the ends of the arms bent inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the flexible length to engage the base of an adjacent link. Improved flexibility and torquability are provided by the flexible length of interfitting links.

Abstract: This invention relates to an abrasive tool for grinding and polishing. A disk, which may consist of an abrasive disk or may carry a buffing pad consisting of an abrasive-containing woven fabric, is connected to a shaft that is adapted to be gripped by a driving chuck of a hand-held drilling machine or a hobbyist's machine. The shaft comprises a flexible shaft section and the tool is provided with means for reliably stiffening the shaft even during an operation at high speed and under stong abrasive forces. Besides, the tool should be usable as a grinding tool having a smaller grinding surface. An end flange is screwed to a first rigid shaft section and is disposed on the front face of the disk. A bowl which has a smaller radius than the disk is disposed on the rear of the disk.

Abstract: An attachment for power driven torque tools for measuring and limiting the torque developed thereby, which comprises a drive shaft and a driven shaft, each supporting a transverse plate at the inner end thereof, and a flexible mass operatively interposed between said plates for transmitting force from said drive shaft to said driven shaft, while said tool fastener is freely operational and for developing a measurable flexion therewith in when said driven shaft encounters resistance from the fastener associated therewith. The flexion is detected by a variable resistor which transmits a value to a control circuit for comparison against a preset value and activation of a power shut off when said transmitted value attains a preset relationship to said preset value.

Abstract: Elastic joint for the transmission of motion between two shafts, comprising two supports, a driving support and a driven support, associated with the shafts and at least two arms for each support. The joint comprises at least one single element for connecting the two arms, this element being in the form of a closed annular strap of inextensible and flexible material. The strap can be disposed on a plane separating the two supports at a position substantially central to the joint so as to form a polygon whose vertices are the ends of the arms belonging alternatively to the driving support and driven support.

Abstract: An improvement in shaft couplings having a flexible elastomeric center element positioned between and bonded to annular metal shoes, which increases the service life of the coupling by forming the elastomer to preferred shapes, contours and thicknesses adjacent a circumferential discontinuity of the shoes and center element.

Abstract: A rotary mechanical drive for transmitting rotational movement in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The drive has first, second and third drive members. Interferring surfaces between the first and second members provide positive drive between those members in a first angular direction. Interferring surfaces between the second and third members provide positive drive in a second angular direction. Spring couplings between the first and second members and the second and third members permit manual override of the drive in a direction which is opposite to the positive drive direction.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible coupling is provided by the present invention for transmitting torque and accommodating axial and angular misalignment between drive and driven shafts. The coupling includes at least one reinforcing ring disposed between a pair of hubs or plates having projecting pins to which are secured elongated filaments that are coated or impregnated with a flexible matrix. The filaments are wrapped from the hub or plate on one side of the reinforcing rings(s), to and across the reinforcing rings(s) and then to the hub or plate on the opposite side of the reinforcing ring(s) following a geodesic path. Torque applied to the coupling is thus transmitted between the hubs or plates solely through the filaments.

Abstract: A shaft-coupling having two halves, each formed with at least two flat, sloping surfaces running at right angles to a load-transfer direction, each pair of sloping surfaces, facing each other on the two halves of the coupling, defining a space therebetween. Arranged in these spaces are sliding wedges each comprising two flat, sliding, surfaces facing away from each other and supported upon a pressure-element. In order to ensure that a shaft-coupling of this kind be suitable for large torsion-angles, absorb high torques and, in addition, has a small structural volume, a spring-element, adapted for the radial spring-action, is provided between at least one sliding wedge and the pressure-element.

Abstract: Flexible shaft assembly includes a central flexible shaft having its ends permanently affixed within axial bores provided in a pair of end fittings. The end fittings are also provided with a plurality of outer bores disposed symmetrically around the axial bores for receiving the ends of a plurality of outer flexible shafts. At least one end of an end fitting's outer bores receives the ends of one end of the outer flexible shafts in free-floating relationship enabling the assembly to maintain substantial symmetrical disposition of the shafts even when rotating in a tight radius of curvature while transmitting high torques. Bearing supports however may be required to maintain the rotating flexible shafts along a predetermined tight path. By selecting shafts of proper lay, i.e., right-lay and left-lay, the entire assembly may be substantially torsionally balanced.