Abstract: A method of process control including constraining a tolerance ring relative to one of an inner and an outer component. The tolerance ring including an annular band of resilient material having a plurality of projections projecting radially therefrom. Additionally, the method includes moving the other of the inner or outer component with respect to the constrained tolerance ring so as to compress the projections of the tolerance ring between the inner and outer components, and continuing movement of the inner or outer component, respectively, beyond the projections. The method further including measuring a force required for continuing movement, and using the force for process control.

Abstract: A method of assembling a tolerance ring between opposing surfaces of an inner and outer component arranged to mate with one another to provide an interference fit therebetween includes mounting the tolerance ring on one of the inner and outer components whereby the projections are received in a recessed portion on that component, partially mating the inner and outer components, and completing mating by causing relative movement between the tolerance ring and the recessed portion to move the projections from the recessed portion and to be compressed between the mated inner and outer components. The tolerance ring includes an annular band of resilient material for engaging an opposing surface of one of the inner and outer components. The annular band has a plurality of deformable projections extending radially therefrom to engage the opposing surface of the other one of the inner and outer components.

Abstract: A tolerance ring is disclosed and can include a strip of material having a length, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of radially extending projections between the first and second ends. The strip of material can be curved into a ring having a gap. The radially extending projections are configured to be compressible between a bore and a shaft. A width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to the first end is different from a width and/or a height of a radially extending projection closest to a line extending perpendicular to the length and bisecting the strip of material within a circumferential row of the radially extending projections.

Abstract: A shaft is held in place within the bore of a housing by a band of resilient material that is located between the shaft and the housing and has a series of projections extending radically inwards. The shaft surface has a first part that lies closer to the longitudinal axis of the bore than a second part, when the shaft and housing are assembled. The shaft is initially inserted into the resilient band, which is held within the bore, such that the first part of the shaft surface is oriented towards one of the projections of the resilient band. In this orientation of the shaft, the projection is not compressed. By orienting the second part of the shaft surface the projection, the projection is brought under compression and the shaft is held firmly within the bore.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner component, an outer component; and a tolerance ring located between the inner and outer components to provide an interference fit there between. The tolerance ring includes a strip of material having a plurality of radially extending projections. The strip of material is curved into a ring having a gap. The radially extending projections are compressible between the inner and outer components, and the stiffness of the radially extending projections varies around the circumference of the tolerance ring.

Abstract: A tolerance ring (10) for providing an interference fit between inner and outer components (36, 50) is disclosed. The tolerance ring (10) comprises a deformable band having a plurality of radially extending projections around its circumference, wherein the projections include a set of axially spaced protuberances (12, 13) separated by a unformed region (11) circumferentially adjacent to an axially elongate protuberance (15), the axial extent of which spans the axial extent of the set of axially spaced protuberances. This arrangement of protuberances facilitates the transfer of retention force to a component that is composed of a plurality of independent parts, e.g. two or more bearings (54, 56) separated by a spacer (58).

Abstract: A fastener (11) in the form of a strip (12) of material in the form of a ring which in plan view is profiled to conform to an annular gap (H) between a first component (A) bounded by the fastener (11) and a second component (B) bounding the fastener (11); the ring member having ends providing a gap (G) in plan view; the strip of material having a first side (14) and a second side (15); and having a series of integral fingers (16-23) spaced along the length of the ring and projecting, in plan view, outwardly from the ring whether from the first side (14), the second side (15), or both sides thereof. In a further version the ring includes a further series of discrete projections formed integrally from the strip and lying around the ring member in between members of the series of fingers.

Abstract: A tolerance ring (10) for providing an interference fit between inner and outer components (36, 50) is disclosed. The tolerance ring (10) comprises a deformable band wound to form a first layer (111) having a plurality of radially extending projections (12, 13, 15) around its circumference and an unformed second layer (110) which overlaps with the first layer. The second layer acts as a force diffuser to spread the forces transferred through the projections on to the inner or outer component.

Abstract: A tolerance ring has a band (16) with outwardly extending corrugated protrusions forming waves (2) which engage a surface (8) of the bore (4) in a housing (5). At one end of the tolerance ring is an outwardly flared guide surface (15) extending axially from the band (16). The guide surface (15) acts as an enlarged entrance to the band (16) for a shaft (3) to be mounted in the bore (4) by insertion into the tolerance ring. The use of the guide surface (15) assists assembly and reduces or eliminates particle production. It is also possible for the corrugated portions to extend inwardly, for the guide surface to be inwardly flared, and for the tolerance ring to be mounted on the shaft prior to insertion in the bore.

Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A tolerance ring (10) for providing an interference fit between inner and outer components (36, 50) is disclosed. The tolerance ring (10) comprises a deformable band having a plurality of radially extending projections around its circumference, wherein the projections include a set of axially spaced protuberances (12, 13) separated by a unformed region (11) circumferentially adjacent to an axially elongate protuberance (15), the axial extent of which spans the axial extent of the set of axially spaced protuberances. This arrangement of protuberances facilitates the transfer of retention force to a component that is composed of a plurality of independent parts, e.g. two or more bearings (54, 56) separated by a spacer (58).

Abstract: A shaft is held in place within the bore of a housing by means of a band of resilient material that is located between the shaft and the housing and has a series of projections extending radially inwards. The shaft surface has a first part that lies closer to the longitudinal axis of the bore than a second part, when the shaft and housing are assembled. The shaft is initially inserted into the resilient band, which is held within the bore, such that the first part of the shaft surface is oriented towards one of the projections of the resilient band. In this orientation of the shaft, the projection is not compressed. By orienting the second part of the shaft surface the projection, the projection is brought under compression and the shaft is held firmly within the bore.

Abstract: An acoustic damping composition includes a binder resin including an addition polymer having a carboxylic functional group and a urethane component. The acoustic damping composition has a Mode 1 Damping Parameter of at least 0.45.

Abstract: A tolerance ring (10) for providing an interference fit between inner and outer components (36, 50). The tolerance ring (10) comprises a deformable band having a plurality of radially extending projections around its circumference. The projections include a set of axially spaced protuberances (12, 13) separated by an unformed region (11) circumferentially adjacent to an axially elongate protuberance (15), the axial extent of which spans the axial extent of the set of axially spaced protuberances. This arrangement of protuberances facilitates the transfer of retention force to a component that is composed of a plurality of independent parts, e.g. two or more bearings (54, 56) separated by a spacer (58).

Abstract: A shaft is held in place within a bore of a housing with a band of resilient material that is located between the shaft and the housing and has a series of projections extending radially inwards. The shaft surface has a first part that lies closer to the longitudinal axis of the bore than a second part, when the shaft and housing are assembled. The shaft is initially inserted into the resilient band, which is held within the bore, such that the first part of the shaft surface is oriented towards one of the projections of the resilient band. In this orientation of the shaft, the projection is not compressed. By orienting the second part of the shaft surface, the projection is brought under compression and the shaft is held firmly within the bore.

Abstract: A thin component such as the actuator arm (10) of a hard disk drive, is mounted on a pivot or pin (31), such as the pivot assembly of the hard disk drive, using a ring (32), e.g. a tolerance ring, having one or more projections (35), wherein the engagement of the component (30) and the ring (32) is such as to apply a force to the component (30) in a direction which is inclined to both the radial and axial directions of the pivot or pin (31). The pivot or pin (31) has a flange onto which the component (30) is pressed by the axial component of the force generated by the ring on the component. The edge of the ring (32) remote from the component (30) is engaged with a stop element, e.g. another flange (34) of the pivot or pin (31).

Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprising mating inner and outer components (36, 38) mounted together using a tolerance (20) is disclosed. The tolerance ring (20) has radially extending projections (28) that are configured to cause the tolerance ring (20) to operate into the plastic phase of its compression force/retention force characteristic. This can be achieved by using softer projections than those found in conventional tolerance rings. The force required to mount the tolerance ring and a range of retention forces exhibited by it for a given variance in sizes of mating components is thereby stabilized.

Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A tolerance ring comprising a metallic band for spring features and a complementary low friction material for frictional considerations is disclosed. The tolerance ring is designed to operate within a precisely controlled torque or axial force band to provide a defined amount of resistance and sliding force control between components that move relative to each other. Isolated portions of the tolerance ring form regions of contact with adjacent ones of the components. Other surfaces of the tolerance ring comprise portions with spring features that have geometry suitable for their spring rate, rather than conforming to mating surfaces of the adjacent components.