Abstract: A long-life, low maintenance, bi-directional vane-type water pump has a high degree of symmetry and operates with equal efficiency in either direction. The axial position of the drive shaft is controlled to permit improved lubrication by the pumping fluid of component parts on which the drive shaft is journaled.

Abstract: A flexural pivot assembly which reduces the number of component parts to five and reduces the number of operations in the manufacturing process is disclosed. The component parts include two sleeves, one inner flexure, one outer flexure, and one slotted tubular core that may be coated with a suitable bonding material. The core has a slotted end and an unslotted end and includes two pairs of diametrically opposed flexure slots each having substantially the same length as a side of a flexure so that the interlocked flexures can slide into the slotted end of the tubular core until they abut an end of the flexure slots and, at the same time, be positioned flush with the slotted end. The core further includes a pair of diametrically opposed travel slots.

Abstract: A coupling is disclosed having an interference fit between its diaphragms and the spacer tube wherein the diaphragm bore and the spacer tube shaft end have mating polygonal shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the polygonal shapes are rounded, with rounded edges and comers to eliminate stress points. Localized stress areas are virtually eliminated because of the lack of concavities in the shaft end. The contact area between the diaphragm and the spacer tube thus increase the torque capacity of the coupling and eliminate fretting associated with splined joints. The coupling may be made utilizing either metallic or nonmetallic parts without loss of integrity. A method of assembling and disassembling the joint using thermal processes is also disclosed. The shaft ends are machined with the polygonal shapes and form shoulders with the central area of the shaft to serve as stops when joining the diaphragms to the shaft.

Abstract: A flexible coupling has at least one and more commonly a plurality of diaphragms having a particular profile. The profile has first and second contoured sections. The first contoured section has a radially-inwardly decreasing thickness and extends to near the center of the diaphragm and the second section extends therefrom and has a radially-inwardly increasing thickness such that the bending moment developed by axial deflections is small near the thinnest section or the center of the diaphragm, and the stress levels are minimized throughout the diaphragm. The diaphragm profile as described is analytically optimized to tolerate greater axial deflection and bending before the fatigue and endurance limits of the diaphragm material are reached than has heretofore been the case.

Abstract: A variable displacement piston pump includes a plurality of axially aligned pumping cylinders with a drive shaft extending therebetween having a pivotable swash plate disposed in a relatively dry cavity at one end of the drive shaft for operating the pumping cylinders, and a reaction thrust plate on the other end of the drive shaft for providing a reaction force on the drive shaft opposite that provided by the swash plate. An inlet shaft seal prevents fluid, which enters the pump at the inlet port, from filling the mounting housing and submerging the mount shaft portion of a rotating assembly supporting the swash plate. Two needle roller bearings support the swash plate and transmit torque from the drive coupling to the swash plate. A high pressure fluid restrictor meters hydraulic control fluid to the two needle bearings.

Abstract: A flexural pivot is configured as a multi-piece device which is specifically configured to tolerate vibration and shock loading. The flex pivot described uses pre-formed unitary (one-piece) support structures which have integral undercut areas, diametrically opposed slots for flexural member placement and key ways and the like, and near net shape geometry. The flexural members are pre-brazed to facilitate the assembly process. The design of the pre-formed support structures eliminates brazed joints which are common locations of fracture due to vibration and shock loading, resulting in a significantly strengthened pivot. The overall configuration and method described provides an economical flex pivot, whereby the flex pivots are accessible for applications which have not heretofore been feasible.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transmitting condition data from a rotating member to a stationary device is disclosed wherein digitized data obtained from a plurality of sensors is transmitted from the rotating member to the stationary device through a system of light emitting diodes on the rotating member which flash light signals in a preselected digital sequence. The data so obtained is received by a system of stationary receivers, and thereafter decoded and processed for utilization. Electric power for the rotating components is obtained by using the kinetic energy of the rotating member.

Abstract: A spline centering device is arranged on a member having a spline in mating engagement with a spline on a member having a hole not otherwise having spline centering or piloting characteristics. The centering device features a spring loaded tapered member which locks into the hole to provide the required piloting affect and to therby reduce spline motion and spline tooth wear.