Abstract: An inner tubular wall is concentrically located inside an outer tubular wall to form an annular space therebetween. A bearing is retained within the annular space. The bearing can include a pair of precision angular contact bearings. the bearing may also include an axial sleeve bearing. A frangible element such as an annular shear groove is associated with one of the outer tubular wall and the inner tubular wall. Separation occurs at the frangible element and the bearing supports the inner tubular wall member and the outer tubular wall member for rotation relative to each other upon the coupling assembly experiencing a shear event. In addition, the angular contact bearings may reduce any bending moments that might otherwise impact upon the frangible element during normal operation. The frangible element may be treated, for example, by shot-peening or coating to reduce deterioration of the frangible element during normal operation.

Abstract: A flexible coupling between drive and driven shaft members includes a diaphragm member having an offset base and outer periphery that is relatively more flexible than the radially inner base which is formed integrally with one of the shaft members or at least an intermediate coupling sleeve. A transition zone of the diaphragm extends through an arcuate curve to facilitate attachment between the shafts and one that will allow flexing of the diaphragm to accommodate dimensional changes in the shaft members as a result of cooling after assembly of the coupling.

Abstract: A gearset for a gear spindle coupling or the like, and method for forming the same, comprising a sleeve gear and a hub gear which may be ground after surface hardening without the introduction of undesired structural weakening. The sleeve gear includes internal gear teeth and the hub gear includes external gear teeth in mesh with the sleeve gear teeth. Each internal sleeve gear tooth has an internal profile with the tooth height ranging from about 1.9 to about 2.2 divided by the diametral pitch of the sleeve gear, and each external hub gear tooth has a contact height less than the full tooth height. The contact height of the external tooth ranges from about 1.4 to about 1.6 divided by the diametral pitch of the hub gear, with the hub gear tooth region ranging between about 1.4/diametral pitch to about 1.6/diametral pitch. The whole depth of each external gear tooth ranges between about 1.5/diametral pitch to about 1.8/diametral pitch, and the whole depth of each internal gear tooth ranges between about 1.

Abstract: A flexible coupling and torque monitoring device includes a hub having two sets of flexible spokes extending radially outwardly from a common hub to respective separate rims; the rims are each provided with fingers attached at one end to one rim and with the opposite end extending over the other rim with the fingers of one rim interspersed with the fingers of the other rim; the rims are each attachable respectively to the end of a drive and driven shaft; a sensing member is located radially outwardly of the rims to detect deviations in the spacing between the fingers.

Abstract: A coupling system provided with a dual torque transmitting arrangement to provide compensation for axial misalignment between a drive shaft and a driven shaft where a primary flexible coupling member transmits torque between the drive shaft and the driven shaft preferably through a sleeve also coupled with a flexible coupling member to the driven shaft; the flexible member includes a gear transmission system for transmitting torque in the event of severe torsional overload of the flexible member which causes the gear teeth of the secondary coupler to engage and transmit torque from the drive to the driven shaft.

Abstract: A torque measuring device utilizing composite and ferromagnetic materials includes an elongated shaft which is fixed at one end to a hollow or solid shaft with the other end being free of attachment to the shaft and including a plurality of circumferentially and evenly disposed signalling generator projections which are interleaved with similarly shaped projections mounted on a second member attached to the shaft so as to position the signal generating fingers in interspaced relationship about the circumference of the shaft body; at least two detecting sensors are located adjacent the projecting interspaced fingers in the same plane and spaced 180.degree. apart from each other to minimize or eliminate any inaccuracies in measuring the torque reflected in non-arcuate variations in the spacing between the fingers of one member relative to the other member.

Abstract: A coupling for driving and driven shafts has a first sleeve mounted for axial sliding on the curved teeth of a spool sleeve to accomodate variation of distances between such shafts; oil dam rings are located to provide abutment stops to prevent axial shifting of the sleeves in one arrangement of the sleeves.

Abstract: A flexible member for coupling a driving member to a driven member is an elastomer element formed with a plurality of integrally formed segments of tapering cross sectional area and is provided at the intersections of the segments with connecting elements for connecting the flexible member to the driving and driven members; the connecting element is formed in a manner that prevents rotation of the elastomer member relative to each point of connection; the segments of the flexible member are shaped in such a manner to maximize resistance to deformation under the influence of torque loading and misalignment.

Abstract: A flexible coupling element used in a flexible coupling for interfacing a drive shaft and a driven shaft and for transmitting torque therebetween while accommodating angular misalignment; the flexible coupling may be offset-link type or single disc type, both types incorporating a composite fiber wound around drive-bushings and driven-bushings in a winding pattern; the flexible coupling element being formed by compression and heat cured so that the runs connecting each bushing taper to a point midway between adjacent bushings.

Abstract: A coupling member comprises peripheral flanges and a body, with the peripheral flanges having the same axis of rotation. The body of the coupling member has a smoothly curving hub portion extending to two axially separated disk portions and is defined by three relationships. A thickness relationship describes the thickness of the body throughout the hub and disk portions. A spacing relationship describes how much of the body is to be occupied by the hub portion. A continuity relationship describes the thickness of the body within the hub portion.