Element Is A Continuous Annulus Extending Around Rotational Axis Patents (Class 464/75)
  • Patent number: 10864936
    Abstract: A worm wheel of an electric power steering apparatus includes: an inner wheel coupled to a steering shaft; an outer wheel disposed outside an outer circumference of the inner wheel and having a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential surface to be engaged with a worm of a worm shaft; and a damper interposed between the inner wheel and the outer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kee Woong Sung
  • Patent number: 10859122
    Abstract: An assembly which includes a first member with torque transmission elements, and a coupler which connects together, in a rotatably driving relationship, the first member and a second member. The coupler includes an intermediate section disposed between an axial forward end and an axial rearward end of the coupler, a forward section extending between the intermediate section and the axial forward end, and a rearward section extending between the intermediate section and the axial rearward end. The intermediate section includes torque transmission elements for engaging with the torque transmission elements of the first member, to facilitate transmission of torque from the first member to the coupler. The torque transmission elements of the coupler are automatically brought into a torque-transmitting relationship with the torque transmission elements of the first member when the coupler is engaged with the first member. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Paros, Robbie Bloom
  • Patent number: 10556616
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a damping coupler of an electronic steering apparatus. The damping coupler includes a first spline having a first shaft hole such that a worm shaft is inserted therein, with a first serration being formed in the first shaft hole to engage with a serration of the worm shaft; a second spline coupled to a side of the first spline, and having a second shaft hole such that the worm shaft is inserted therein, with a second serration being formed in the second shaft hole to engage with a serration of the worm shaft; and a molding surrounding outsides of the first and second splines, and coupled to a motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tae Jung Yun
  • Patent number: 10422414
    Abstract: A speed reducer includes a first transmission shaft, an eccentric wheel, a first roller assembly, a rotating wheel, a second roller assembly and a second transmission shaft. The rotating wheel includes a main body and an axle hole. The main body includes a convex structure and a concave structure. The convex structure is protruded from an outer periphery of the main body and has outer teeth. The outer teeth are contacted with the corresponding first rollers. The concave structure is concavely formed in a surface of the main body and includes inner teeth. The inner teeth are contacted with plural second rollers of the second roller assembly. The speed reducer of the present invention is an epicycloid-epicycloid speed reducer or a hypocycloid-hypocycloid speed reducer. Since the speed reducer is designed to have four operating situations, the speed reducer can have various reduction ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Lun Ho, Ching-Hsiung Tsai, Jia-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 10054190
    Abstract: A power transmission member for an electric power steering system, which connects a driving shaft and a driven shaft on the same axis to transmit power therebetween, includes: a first boss coupled to one of the driving shaft and the driven shaft and having a first receiving part that is formed in the central portion thereof and has a cylindrical shape; a second boss coupled to the other shaft and having a second receiving part that is formed in the central portion thereof and has a cylindrical shape; and an axial damper configured to elastically deform in the axial direction while opposite end portions thereof are inserted into the first and second receiving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jong Han Kim, Hong Yong Bhae
  • Patent number: 9683610
    Abstract: In a drive force transmission device, a shock-absorbable rubber is placed between a driving-side rotatable body and a driven-side rotatable body. A bridge portion is placed at a deep side of a holding recess of the shock-absorbable rubber and connects between a primary damper portion and a secondary damper portion. At least one cut part penetrates through the bridge portion in an axial direction of the shock-absorbable body and extends in a radial direction of the shock-absorbable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuma Takeda
  • Patent number: 9605744
    Abstract: An assembly comprising: a powder metal outer part (22) having a radially inward facing cylindrical surface (54) with a plurality of facets (52) formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal outer part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal outer part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal outer part; a powder metal inner part (20) having a radially outward facing cylindrical surface with a plurality of facets formed thereon that, in an alternating fashion, extend in an axial direction from an axial side of the powder metal inner part toward an opposite axial side of the powder metal inner part to a position between the opposing axial sides of the powder metal inner part; and an intermediate component (26) disposed between the cylindrical surfaces of the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part that connects the powder metal outer part and the powder metal inner part together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Joel H. Mandel, Donald D. Cooper, John P. Mohr
  • Patent number: 9095906
    Abstract: A method for producing a workpiece from an elongated blank or intermediate product. The workpiece geometry is formed in a first method step, for example by forging the blank or intermediate product, a centering region for subsequent machining of the workpiece between centers being introduced in two oppositely situated sides of the workpiece with reference to the longitudinal axis thereof, and at least one of the centering regions having a desired deformation face. The workpiece is calibrated in a second method step, the desired deformation face being adapted in such a manner that the distance between the contact faces of the centering regions for the machining between centers being adjusted to a predetermined desired measurement. The invention also includes a corresponding workpiece with centering regions, at least one of which has at least one desired deformation face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HIRSCHVOGEL UMFORMTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Schottenloher
  • Patent number: 9005038
    Abstract: A rotation transmitting apparatus includes a first shaft on which multiple external teeth are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second shaft in which multiple internal teeth are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second shaft being fitted to the first shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth. A protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of one of the external tooth and the internal tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the other of the external tooth and the internal tooth. The protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Nabeshima, Eiji Kaneuchi, Yoshimasa Yamada, Ryousuke Imai
  • Publication number: 20150045125
    Abstract: A vibration damper and a drive shaft comprising a vibration damper having a small radial extent is provided. A first shaft part is provided with a sleeve and a second shaft part is provided with an inner part which extends axially into the sleeve. The sleeve and the inner part include longitudinal rotary drivers that engage negative profiles of an damping part which is elastically deformable in the direction of shaft rotation and includes at least one decoupling ring and at least one pair of rotation limiting rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Amtek Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Ebert, Martin Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8764574
    Abstract: A torque transmission assembly has a first shaft, a second shaft, and a coupling device. The coupling device includes a first coupling member rotating with the first shaft, and a second coupling member fixed with the second shaft. The first coupling member includes a bottom wall having a mounting face, and a plurality of arms extending axially from the mounting face. The arms are circumferentially spaced from each other with a receiving space defined between each two neighboring arms. The second coupling member includes a main body and a plurality of spaced arms extending radially from an outer periphery of the main body. Each of the arms of the second coupling member is received in a respective receiving space of the first coupling member, thus the first coupling member rotates with the second coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Kai Zhao, Jin An Nie
  • Patent number: 8746649
    Abstract: A system and method to control vibrations exerted on a non-vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable variable stiffness support securely attached to both the non-vibrating structure and a vibrating structure. A driver operably associated with the variable stiffness support is configured to selectively adjust the variable stiffness support. A control system in data communication with both a sensor system and the driver includes an algorithm to determine whether adjustment of the variable stiffness support is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Haynes, David L. Williams, Michael R. Smith, Robert J. Pascal, David E. Heverly, Taeoh Lee
  • Patent number: 8616985
    Abstract: A coupling that requires misalignment measures comprises a first hub and second hub, and a connection member that connects the first hub 10 and second hub 20 with each other, wherein the connection member has a plurality of columns, and beams that connect the respective columns with each other, wherein the beams that are next to each other among the respective beams are connected with the respective columns at the end of the first hub side on one side, and are connected with the respective columns at the end on the second hub side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Asa Electronics Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Asa
  • Patent number: 8578799
    Abstract: A method and system for a shaft coupling assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first coupling half coupled to a distal end of a first shaft wherein the first coupling half includes one or more projections extending away from the first coupling half. The shaft coupling assembly also includes a second coupling half coupled to a distal end of a second shaft wherein the second coupling half includes a media configured to matingly engage the one or more projections in an axial direction, the projections include a relatively large length to width ratio, the media displaces orthogonally to the insertion direction an amount sufficient to facilitate the insertion for each individual projection while substantially preventing gross movement of all of the projections in total such that a linear force or torque applied to one coupling half is transmitted through the mated projections and media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur N. Maupin
  • Patent number: 8464776
    Abstract: Viscoelastic transmission device (100) for a mechanical connection between a shaft (4) of an actuator the axis (XX?) of which defines an axial direction, and a driving wheel (6) of a winding tube (5) of a blind, of a roller shutter or of a roll-up screen, which comprises a first component (10) that has an output profile that complements an input profile of a second component of the device, the first and the second components adhering to an intermediate component (30) made of viscoelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventor: Sebastien Anthoine
  • Patent number: 8460114
    Abstract: A rotary elastic coupling is fitted with an inner ring and with an outer ring surrounding the inner ring around the periphery by forming an annular slit. An elastomer is provided in the annular slit, which is vulcanized or glued to the inner ring and to the outer ring and fills up the annular slit substantially or completely. The annular slit is meander-shaped around the periphery of the coupling so that radially outward protrusions of the inner ring undercut radially inward protrusions of the outer ring. Around the periphery of the coupling, a relief opening is provided in the elastomer on both sides of the protrusions of the inner ring and on both sides of the protrusions of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Markus K. Becker, Peter Frohs, Maik Marcinkowski, Michael Holzapfel, Michael Bachmann, Michael Jaros
  • Patent number: 8376649
    Abstract: A coupling device is provided for transmitting a torque between a drive element and a clutch, for example of a motor vehicle. The coupling device includes a first shaft and a second shaft being coupled together in a positive fit. The device is equipped with an elastic element which in the positive-fit connection generates a pre-tension to suppress rattling noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Heinrich, Michael Schäfer, Jochen Bölling, Dietmar Strauss, Till Ebner
  • Patent number: 8262485
    Abstract: A vibration damper (2) that is effective in the direction of rotation of a drive shaft and has a small radial extension. For this purpose, a first shaft part (6) is provided as a sleeve (8) and a second shaft part (7) is provided as an inner part extending axially into the sleeve (8). The two shaft parts (6, 7) engage via rotary drivers in complementary negative profiles (15, 16) of an interposed elastic damper part (10) in the direction of rotation. In addition to the negative profiles, the damper part may be provided with recesses (40) which modify its damping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8215606
    Abstract: A variable stiffness support has a support housing that is configured to adjust the orientation of an internal elastomer assembly. The support housing includes an adjustment mechanism, and the elastomer assembly includes an outer ring that encircles an elastomeric material, a central bushing embedded in the elastomeric material, and a plurality of shims embedded in the elastomeric material in a parallel planar fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Haynes, David L. Williams, Michael R. Smith, Robert J. Pascal
  • Patent number: 8206227
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a drive-side primary element having at least one primary dog, an output-side secondary element having at least one secondary dog, and at least one spring device between the primary and secondary dogs for spring-elastic coupling of the primary element to the secondary element and including a plurality of spring elements. A separator sheet includes a ring element. At least one sliding block extends from the ring element between adjacent spring elements and is arranged circumferentially about the spring elements. The primary element has also an inner part having an external toothing, an outer part on which the primary dog is arranged and having an internal toothing engaging into the external toothing, and at least one damping part arranged between the external and internal toothing for vibration damping between the inner and outer parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Jochen Boelling, Christian Bernhard Halm, Frank Guenter, Volker Heinz
  • Patent number: 7806771
    Abstract: A flexible solid plastic torque transmitting insert component having a plurality of exterior lobes and a plurality of interior lobes, each exterior lobe having a selected first width and first and second flat sides, the distance between the respective ends of the flat sides of each exterior lobe defining the first width, each exterior lobe further having a perimeter comprising the first flat side leading into a first radiused corner, the second flat side leading into a second radiused corner, the radiused corners being connected by a central circumferentially disposed segment; and each interior lobe having a selected second width and third and fourth flat sides, the distance between the respective ends of the flat sides of each interior lobe defining the second width; the third flat side leading into a third radiused corner, the fourth flat side leading into a fourth radiused corner, the third and fourth radiused corners being interconnected by a central circumferentially disposed segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony L. Hauck
  • Patent number: 7625290
    Abstract: A coupling sleeve for use in a sleeve-type, flexible, shaft-coupling device, having a generally annular body portion with one or more axially extending, polymeric or elastomeric teeth on at least one of its inner and outer periphery and having a rigid support band with a rigid, axially extending fin protruding radially into at least one of the teeth. The coupling sleeve has a cross sectional area with a rigid band portion that occupies the minor portion of the cross section relative to the polymeric portion. Torque applied to the teeth of the coupling sleeve during use is resisted by the fins and the tooth material is thus placed in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Yahya Hodjat, Keming Liu, Lin Zhu, Marc Cadarette
  • Publication number: 20090203453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device for transmitting a torque between a drive element and a clutch, for example of a motor vehicle. Said coupling device comprises a first shaft (17) and a second shaft (15) that encompasses the first, said shafts being coupled together in a positive fit. According to the invention, the device is equipped with an elastic element (15, 17, 81, 84, 85, 87, 88), which in the positive-fit connection generates a pre-tension to suppress rattling noises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Johannes Heinrich, Michael Schäfer, Jochen Bölling, Dietmar Strauss, Till Ebner
  • Publication number: 20090143148
    Abstract: A flexible coupling including a first hub having an inner face, a flexible insert having a plurality of exterior lobes and a plurality of interior lobes, a retainer ring having an interior which engages the exterior lobes of the flexible insert, and a second hub having an exterior surface contoured to engage the interior lobes of the flexible insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Anthony L. Hauck
  • Patent number: 7497783
    Abstract: A propeller shaft having high wear resistance is provided. The propeller shaft has a spline shaft and a spline sleeve meshing with each other, and a DLC coating is applied to any one of the spline shaft and the spline sleeve. The DLC coating has surface roughness Ra of 0.5 ?m or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Azuma, Shinichi Takeuchi, Hiroaki Tashiro, Takeo Yamamoto, Yoshinori Ozaki, Yoshio Fuwa, Masaaki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7244186
    Abstract: A flexible coupling including a first hub having an inner face, a flexible insert having a plurality of exterior lobes and a plurality of interior lobes, a retainer ring having an interior which engages the exterior lobes of the flexible insert, and a second hub having an exterior surface contoured to engage the interior lobes of the flexible insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Anthony L. Hauck
  • Patent number: 7244185
    Abstract: The invention seeks to improve the transfer function of drive devices such as pulleys and other coupling means, and it proposes creating zones of shear in the inserted deformable material forming a decoupling element. In an embodiment, the decoupling element is made in the form of a ring (2) presenting at least one meshing face (21e, 21i) complementary to a corresponding meshing face (31, 41) formed on the facing support (3, 4), the meshing projections (2e, 2i, 3e, 4i) engaging in one another to take up power transmission torque by working in shear by being blocked against each other during rotation. The invention is applicable to all drive devices including a filtering, damping, or absorbing element, e.g. for use in the automotive industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Henri Kamdem, Willy Bourdeau
  • Patent number: 6976921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotationally symmetrical coupling comprising an annular hub made of a rigid material, which is surrounded by an outer ring made of a rubber-elastic material. The coupling also comprises an outer contouring, which is located on the outer diameter and which is provided for positively transmitting torques, whereby the outer ring is reinforced by an embedded, annular, rigid solid body. The aim of the invention is to achieve a quieter operation of a coupling of the aforementioned type and to better protect this coupling from becoming damaged. To these ends, the invention provides that the rubber-elastic material is silicone and that the annular, rigid solid body, on the outside, has a shape, which is similar to that of the outer contouring of the outer ring and which maintains, over the circumference, a nearly constant distance from the outer contouring of the outer ring. The rigid solid body is preferably comprised of a curved, metallic strip material having a constant thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hackforth GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Mehlan, Jürgen Walter
  • Patent number: 6949026
    Abstract: A housing has a longitudinally extending aperture and at least one internal, longitudinally extending groove. At least one longitudinally extending blade is mountable on the shaft and positioned within the housing such that the blade extends radially outwardly into the longitudinal groove of the housing. A cross pin extends radially through the longitudinally extending aperture of the housing for engagement with the shaft, and a resilient material is positioned between the housing and the blade, and between the cross pin and the housing, such that the blade will transmit torque to the housing with a desired radial, axial and torsional compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Timken US Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Morsches, David A. Kulczyk, Jay C. Files
  • Patent number: 6806595
    Abstract: A high-precision, low backlash linear actuator drive mechanism characterized by minimal positional repeatability error irrespective of the direction from which a selected or target position is approached may comprise a bellows coupling operative to transmit rotational motion from a motor to a drive spindle. Rotation of the drive spindle causes linear translation thereof in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Applied Precision, LLC
    Inventor: Steven C. Quarre
  • Publication number: 20040198499
    Abstract: The invention seeks to improve the transfer function of drive devices such as pulleys and other coupling means, and it proposes creating zones of shear in the inserted deformable material forming a decoupling element. In an embodiment, the decoupling element is made in the form of a ring (2) presenting at least one meshing face (21e, 21i) complementary to a corresponding meshing face (31, 41) formed on the facing support (3, 4), the meshing projections (2e, 2i, 3e, 4i) engaging in one another to take up power transmission torque by working in shear by being blocked against each other during rotation. The invention is applicable to all drive devices including a filtering, damping, or absorbing element, e.g. for use in the automotive industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Henri Kamdem, Willy Bourdeau
  • Patent number: 6669568
    Abstract: A driving coupling for the torque transmission in the transmission line of a motor vehicle includes a shaft-hub coupling provided with longitudinal toothings for the releasable coupling of a crankshaft with a coaxially arranged hydrodynamic torque converter. The longitudinal toothings of the shaft-hub coupling have tooth cross-sections which become larger and smaller respectively in the longitudinal direction of the teeth. An elastomer layer is situated at least between the tooth flanks of the shaft and the hub which transmit the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Mannesmann Sachs AG, ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Neuner, Roland Gollmer, Karl-Heinz Hodermann, Marco Noack, Renate Walk, Wolfgang Kundermann
  • Publication number: 20030186749
    Abstract: A flexible coupling including a first hub having an inner face, a flexible insert having a plurality of exterior lobes and a plurality of interior lobes, a retainer ring having an interior which engages the exterior lobes of the flexible insert, and a second hub having an exterior surface contoured to engage the interior lobes of the flexible insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: ATR Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony L. Hauck
  • Patent number: 6533666
    Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft including a tubular shaft element, a solid shaft element telescoped into the tubular shaft element, a pair of universal couplings for connecting the tubular and solid elements to respective ones of a steering shaft and a steering gear input shaft, and a torsionally elastic coupling between the solid shaft element and the corresponding one of the universal couplings. The torsionally elastic coupling includes a torsion sleeve on the solid shaft element, a bushing cavity around the torsion sleeve in a yoke of the universal coupling, and an elastomeric bushing on the torsion sleeve interference fitted in the bushing cavity. A pair of long radial lugs on the torsion sleeve are disposed in respective ones of a pair of notches in the universal coupling yoke with separation therebetween. The elastomeric bushing is relatively soft for maximum torsional vibration isolation at high vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesus Raul Garcia, Troy Daenzer
  • Publication number: 20030004001
    Abstract: A driveline assembly including first and second members disposed along an axis and an intermediate member engaged to the first and second members along the axis such that the first, second, and intermediate members move axially relative to each other. The first and second members include an interconnection with the intermediate member to transmit torque from the first member through the intermediate member to the second member. The interconnection between the members is formed by interlocking profiles disposed on the outer diameter of the first and second members that corresponds to an interlocking profile on the inner diameter of the intermediate member. The interconnection between the first and second members with the intermediate member includes a sleeve to substantially fill any gaps to prevent relative rotation between the members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Dale K. Bell, John L. Bennett, Ronald N. Brissette, Michael E. Johnson, David K. Platner, Tom Sanko, Jyh-Chiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20020077184
    Abstract: A housing has a longitudinally extending aperture and at least one internal, longitudinally extending groove. At least one longitudinally extending blade is mountable on the shaft and positioned within the housing such that the blade extends radially outwardly into the longitudinal groove of the housing. A cross pin extends radially through the longitudinally extending aperture of the housing for engagement with the shaft, and a resilient material is positioned between the housing and the blade, and between the cross pin and the housing, such that the blade will transmit torque to the housing with a desired radial, axial and torsional compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Michael R. Morsches, David A. Kulczyk, Jay C. Files
  • Patent number: 6283867
    Abstract: An elastic shaft joint includes: a tube shaft; a shaft coaxially inserted in the tube shaft so that a predetermined axial region of the shaft overlaps with a predetermined axial region of the tube shaft; and a damper inserted between the predetermined axial region of the shaft and the predetermined axial region of the tube shaft for damping vibration and providing an elastic play in a rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Aota, Tooru Fujii, Hiroyuki Muraosa
  • Patent number: 6280339
    Abstract: A driving shaft includes yokes at both its ends and an intermediate slidable portion composed of a male shaft member and a female shaft member fitted with each other by means of splines. The male shaft member includes a hollow shaft member having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of one end of the female shaft member on the side of the male shaft member, and a splined male member having a splined slidable portion to be fitted in the splined hole of the female shaft member and a fixing portion fitted in the hollow shaft member. An elastic body interposed between the inner surface of the hollow shaft member and the outer surface of the fixing portion to fix the splined male member to the hollow shaft member. In producing such a driving shaft, before fitting the splined male member in the hollow shaft member, a resin coating is applied to either the inner surface of the hollow shaft member or the fixing portion of the splined male member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Matsui Universal Joint Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Yaegashi, Atsushi Oikawa, Yuichi Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 6234905
    Abstract: An elastomer coupling (20) including an outer member (40) including a leading contact face (38), and an elastomer component (30) including a driving elastomer contact face (41) opposing and adapted for operable unbonded contact with said leading contact face (38), the driving elastomer contact face (41) including a thin polyurethane coating (50). In another aspect, the elastomer coupling (20) has an elastomer member (30) preferably having a plurality of parallel-sided bonded lugs (47) having thin elastomer driving and following skins (46, 46′) received in preferable line fit relationship in a plurality of parallel-sided recesses (44) formed in a preferably plastic outer member (40) for transmitting torques, accommodating slight parallel and angular misaligninents, and isolating vibrations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Gwinn, George M. Klapsinos
  • Patent number: 6059662
    Abstract: A torsional pre-damping device for damping the impact between a hub and a hub disc. A crown insert (20) made of absorbent material is arranged between the engaging teeth (18) and the engaged teeth (19) of the loose meshing portions (16) defined between the disc and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Gino Villata, Nicolas Phelps
  • Patent number: 5956998
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus includes a pair of rotatable members joined by a stress dissipating structure. The stress dissipating structure can be employed in a gear, sprocket, clutch or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, anti-buckling plates generally spanning between a hub and rim define a hollow cavity. In another embodiment of the present invention, the stress dissipating structure includes a specifically configured sets of nodules moving the hub and rim. An additional aspect of the present invention provides a stress dissipating structure employing various anti-buckling plate attachment constructions. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a uniquely sized and packaged gear, gear housing and/or motor are employed in order to maximize output force per pound of material efficiencies. Another embodiment employs a stress dissipation member in a door lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 5957740
    Abstract: A damper which can be easily fitted to the engine E of a personal watercraft W having little space, said damper damping the torsional vibration caused by the torsional stress acting on the crankshaft 1 of the engine E mounted in a personal watercraft W. A flange 2, which is a component of the coupling D that couples the crankshaft 1 and the propeller shaft 11 of a propulsion pump P, is fixed to the end of the crankshaft 1 which is adjacent to the pump P. The damper includes a damping mass fixed via an elastomeric member 4 to the periphery of a flange 2 in such a manner that the mass 5 can elastically move with respect to the crankshaft 1 in the direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimoto Matsuda, Shinji Shutou
  • Patent number: 5672111
    Abstract: A steering spindle for a motor vehicle has a plug-in connection in which a splined shaft profile extends axially and is arranged at the end of a shaft, and a receiving tube which receives the splined shaft profile and is provided along its inner circumference with a corresponding splined hub profile. Furthermore, the steering spindle has, in the region of the plug-in connection, a plastic layer which extends at least along certain axial regions and fills clearances between the inner wall of the receiving tube and the splined shaft profile. The splines of the one part, arranged in the region of the receiving tube, are formed uninterruptedly in the axial direction and are an undersized portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the grooves of the other part. The splines of the one part are provided with the plastic layer of elastomeric plastic bridging this undersize portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Gottfried Schremmer, Klaus Brandes, Hanno Lox, Ruediger Unfug, Uwe Affolderbach, Joachim Kieserling
  • Patent number: 5653144
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus includes a pair of rotatable members joined by a stress dissipating structure. The stress dissipating structure can be employed in a gear, sprocket, clutch or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, antibuckling plates generally spanning between a hub and rim define a hollow cavity. In another embodiment of the present invention, the stress dissipating structure includes a specifically configured sets of nodules moving the hub and rim. An additional aspect of the present invention provides a stress dissipating structure employing various anti-buckling plate attachment constructions. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a uniquely sized and packaged gear, gear housing and/or motor are employed in order to maximize output force per pound of material efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 5452622
    Abstract: A gear is comprised of a central radial hub, a radial gear-toothed rim and a stress dissipating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Magi, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 5234390
    Abstract: An improved gear transmission (10) includes a one-way clutch (52) for connecting together selectively two drive elements to establish a plural torque flow path through the transmission (10) and the clutch (52) includes at least one inner race (52B) and one outer race (52A), each of the races having coaxial inner and outer race portions, the outer surface (112) of the outer race portion (52B) defined by a first undulating surface, the inner surface (113) of a mating drive element defined by a second undulating surface in conjugate registration with the first undulating surface, the profiles of the first and second undulating surfaces (112,113) being controlled to provide a controlled clearance therebetween reducing shock loading at the interface of the inner and outer race portions through a gradual lock-up through a controlled wind-up of the mating members and reducing vibration in the gear elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive Transmission and Engine Components Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory J. Malecha
  • Patent number: 5117704
    Abstract: An elastomeric torsional isolator comprises one or more elastomer layers disposed between a spur gear, having a pair of sloped surfaces, and a pair of rims having corresponding surfaces. The rims are attached to a flange extending from a shaft which has pinions for engaging a driven gear. By preloading the elastomer layers, the spur gear is frictionally connected to the flange and shaft, rather than mechanically engaged. The preloaded elastomer layers act as an elastomeric torsional isolator which accommodates variations in mechanical tolerances to balance the torque loading in a split torque drive system. Using elastomer layers for balancing the torque loading between a pair of torque splitting gear assemblies reduces the number of bearings required, increasing reliability and reducing part complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: United Technologies, Corporation
    Inventors: Jules G. Kish, Lionel G. Webb
  • Patent number: 5050446
    Abstract: Several embodiments of combined torsional and elastic couplings for transmitting power from an engine output shaft that experiences torque fluctuations and a driveshaft. In each embodiment, the flexible coupling includes an inertial member that is coupled either elastically or by means of a viscous body to the engine output shaft for absorbing the torsional vibrations. In addition, an elastic coupling couples the engine output shaft to the driveshaft for permitting limited relative rotation to absorb torque flux variations in the engine output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Takashima, Hiroaki Fujimoto, Masaki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 4701151
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of coupling arrangements for coupling a propeller to a driving shaft that permit a higher degree of resilience in a circumferential direction than in an axial direction. As a result, the coupling may be designed so as to offer high degree of vibration damping while affording good resistance to axial driving thrust. In addition, each embodiment is designed so as to provide more resilience in the reverse drive condition than in the forward drive condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehiko Uehara
  • Patent number: 4624354
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch is disclosed. The electromagnetic clutch includes a pulley and an electromagnetic mechanism. A hub is secured on a drive shaft and has a radially extending flange portion. An armature plate is concentrically disposed on the hub and faces the axial end surface of the pulley with an axial air gap. A holder plate is fixed on an axial end surface of the armature plate and is formed with an axially extending flange which has a configuration including at least one straight line. The radial flange portion of the hub is also formed with a second axially extending flange at a radial outer end portion. The first and second axially extending flanges are formed of a similar configuration and face one another with a radial gap between them. An elastic member is disposed in an inner surface of the first axial flange portion to fill the radial gap and cover the axial end surface of the radial flange portion and the second axial flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Takatoshi Koitabashi