Abstract: A multi-speed planetary gear including a planet gear carrier connected to one of the primary or secondary shafts, planet gears mounted thereon, each including at least two gear surfaces at different diameters. At least three annular gears, i.e. sun or ring gears, engage said gear surfaces. One of these is a drive annular gear engaged with the primary or secondary shaft other than the one to which the planet carrier is engaged. Each of the other annular gears, i.e. other than the drive annular gear, is connectable against rotation relative to the casing by a friction brake and a servo-motor means, which servo-motor means are mounted non-rotatively relative to the casing. The force of at least one servo-motor, preferably the one effecting a direct drive connection is transmitted across axial thrust bearings through a slidable annular gear and a lever means. The remaining annular gears are selectively connectable to the casing for various types of drive including different ratio forward drives and reverse drive.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially homokinetic transmission for rotationally connecting two shafts one of which is mounted on a fixed support and the other of which is mounted on a movable support so that its inclination is variable, and comprises two pairs of universal joints each interconnected by a connector of variable length, one pair attached to one of the shafts and the other attached to the other of the shafts; an intermediate shaft of fixed length is interposed between the two pairs of universal joints and this is carried by a third support pivotally mounted on the fixed support, and control means are provided for controlling the inclination of the intermediate shaft in relation to the position of the shaft which has a variable inclination.

Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling for connecting a drive and a driven shaft comprises an axially stacked plurality of flexible metal discs which are connected to one another at oppositely spaced peripheral points with the directly connection between one disc and its neighboring disc on one side being displaced 90.degree. from the interconnection with the neighboring disc on its other side. The coupling is particularly suited to transmit torque yet allow movement of the driven shaft axis relative to the drive shaft axis. The invention has particular application to small precision mechanisms such as a single element typewriter wherein the single element typehead, secured to the driven shaft, must be capable of being rotated and tilted to position a desired character opposite a printing point.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly including an inner joint member, an outer joint member and torque transmission means interposed therebetween is formed with a tubular drive sleeve locked in engagement about the outer peripheral portion of the outer joint member. Axially extending grooves and at least one annular or circumferential groove are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the outer joint member and the tubular drive sleeve is shaped to conform with these grooves in order thereby to effect locking engagement between the outer joint member and the sleeve. A shaping roller may be used to mold the drive sleeve into conformity with the grooved configuration of the outer joint member.

Abstract: A construction for transmitting rotational energy from a motor to a centrifuge rotor utilizes a flexible shaft having a long, thin central portion that terminates in larger diameter end portions or connectors. The lower connector is secured to the motor armature shaft and the upper connector is secured to a rotor adapter that replaceably mounts the rotor. The shaft is structured and positioned to achieve a self-balancing of the rotor for rotational speeds including at least the second critical speed by flexing in its central portion. In a preferred form, a spindle or inner sleeve secures the lower connector to the armature and extends upwardly to a point just below the upper connector. The spindle surrounds the flexible shaft with a first annular clearance sufficient to permit flexure of the shaft for the self-balancing during normal operation.

Abstract: An overload coupling has two relatively rotatable parts that are joined for corotation about a common axis by at least one frangible pin. The parts have recesses with cutting edges that sever the pins and springs that urge alternative pins on remainders of the severed pins through the recesses to automatically re-establish frangible connection. An assembly of pins can be spring loaded with the aid of a draw pin that releases the pins when in place and mounted on the coupling.

Abstract: A controlled slippage, limited-torque transmission comprises a driving member, a driven member spaced therefrom, and a transmission belt wrapped about the members to transmit torque from the driving member to the driven member. An annular split slippage member is slippingly mounted on one of the driving and driven members and is disposed between that one member and a belt wrap thereabout. The slippage member substantially encircles that one member and is capable of ready assembly and disassembly with respect thereto.

Abstract: An improved flexible drive coupling is provided in which a driver and driven mechanisms are in adjacent housings that are fixedly connected by a shroud through which the drive coupling extends. The driver and driven gear hubs, respectively, are interconnected through a flexible spacer member having corresponding meshing gear elements wherein the spacer and at least one of said gear hubs have longitudinally extending, aligning lines which are slideably engageable when the gear elements of said spacer and hub are in spaced-apart relation to maintain the gear elements in meshing alignment where said respective housings and shroud are moved longitudinally toward each other during assembly. Thus external access is provided for positioning said gear elements in meshing alignment before said housings and shroud are brought into final mating position.

Abstract: The apparatus prevents the unintentional removal of a universal joint of the type where a tubular outer member is provided on an end portion of a shaft. In this structure, plural longitudinal directional sliding grooves are arranged in parallel one with another and an inner member provided on an end portion of another shaft is provided with plural spherical surface members. These may be spherical surface rollers, balls or the like. The respective spherical surface members are in slidable engagement with associated sliding grooves. An open end of the outer member has an annular closure member and is provided with concave portions facing the respective spherical surface members in the sliding grooves. The inner surfaces are formed into spherical surfaces substantially in conformity with the spherical surfaces of the spherical surface members.

Abstract: A coupling for drivingly connecting power transmission shafts, has input and output members interconnected by axially-spaced flexible diaphragm means which permit axial freedom without angular movement of their axes as defined by inner and outer concentric spacer components to each end of which the diaphragm means are attached.

Abstract: A universal joint includes first and second yokes with a bore extending through each yoke. A cross trunnion having cylindrical bearing pins is carried between the first and second yokes with the bearing pins supported in the bores of the yokes. Hollow cylindrical bearing housings carried by the yokes containing roller or slide bearings may be used for journalling the bearing pins in the yokes. A stop member is carried by each of the yokes, and each stop member has an end face which is arranged to engage the end face of the other stop member to limit the amount of angular deflection of the universal joint. In one embodiment, the stop members are formed by limit bolts extending axially from each of the yokes into an axial bore of the trunnion. In another embodiment, the stop members are formed by axially adjustable stop collars carried coaxially on each yoke.

Abstract: A shock isolation coupling located in a drive train between a transmission and the engine flywheel. The coupling includes a drive plate and a driven plate, the driven plate being centrally located within an opening provided within the drive plate. The driven plate is connected to a driven shaft which supplies input torque to the transmission. The driven plate includes a plurality of protuberances, each of which is located within a separate recess formed within the wall of the opening of the drive plate. In the space between the drive plate and the driven plate, there is located an elastomeric material. Openings are formed in the material to control deflection. Different deflection characteristics can be achieved on opposite sides of the protuberances. Breaks in between the elastomeric material are caused in selected areas to control shear stress in the movements between the drive plate and the driven plate.

Abstract: An axial ball and socket joint particularly for steering suspensions of motor vehicles comprises a joint housing which has a first opening at one end and an opposite second opening at the opposite end and an interior surface which is at least partially spherical. A joint pin extends through the first opening and has a spherical ball head disposed within the housing and is journalled on a socket of elastic plastic for universal pivotal movement in the housing. The housing has a rim edge adjacent the second opening extending outwardly from the spherical surface with an inturned edge forming a ledge or underface which is partially spherical and is opposite to and spaced from the ball head.

Abstract: The combination with a flexible bladed fan of a vibration isolator coaxially attached to the fan. The isolator comprises a first rigid support attached to the fan, a second rigid support adapted for connection to the fan driver, and a resilient member intermediate and arranged to transmit torque between the first and second supports while dampening vibrations. The second support includes means for aligning the isolator coaxially with the fan and fan driver and the first and second supports are positioned coaxially with respect to each other.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint of the three-roller type, capable of exactly transmitting power at constant velocity, comprises two drive members, one of which includes three yoke pins with respective roller means. Each roller means comprises an inner movable member adapted to rotate about the axis of the associated yoke pin and move axially of the pin, and an outer movable member disposed outside of the inner movable member and tiltable with respect to the rotational axis of the inner movable member. The other drive member includes guide grooves for guiding the outer movable members of the roller means along the rotational axis of the drive member itself.

Abstract: A floating cushion sub for connection to the rotary power head of a drill rig has a mandrel section connectable to a drill string and an outer housing section connectable to the power head. The mandrel and the housing have mating, axially extending splines permitting relative axial movement while also transmitting torque from the power head to the mandrel. Mandrel axial movement is limited by a cap member and by an internal shoulder in the housing. A resilient cushion adjacent the shoulder dampens vibrations when the mandrel and housing are compressed together and a similar cushion adjacent the cap member dampens vibrations when the mandrel and housing are at full extension. The axial movement of the mandrel relative to the housing improves the function of making or breaking the threaded connections with the drill string by permitting proper coordination of the mating thread pitches and reduces the chance of cross-threading.

Abstract: A swivel joint for transmitting torque between a drive shaft and a driven shaft includes an outer joint member having an interior cavity connected with one of the shafts and an inner joint member carried within the cavity connected with the other shaft. A first plurality of ball receiving grooves are formed on the interior wall surface of the cavity and a second plurality of ball receiving grooves equal in number to the first plurality are formed on the exterior surface of the inner joint member. A ball is carried between at least one pair of corresponding ball receiving grooves of the first and second plurality of grooves for transmitting torque between the inner and outer joint members. A cage having circumferentially arranged window recesses is positioned between the inner and outer joint members and the balls are retained in the window recesses.

Abstract: A rotary energy-transmitting mechanism, according to the present invention, concerns a mechanical structure having inner and outer relatively movable elements that are combined in a mechanism of rotary nature. The inner and outer elements may be combined with other mechanical structure to facilitate utilization of the general mechanical form of the invention for a number of mechanical purposes, all involving transmission of energy which may be between the relatively movable inner and outer elements and/or between the elements and a fluid. The mechanical structure, depending on the arrangement of the relatively movable parts and depending on the inclusion of other specific parts, may take the form of various energy-transmitting mechanisms, such as a mechanical coupling, a universal joint, a rotary shock absorber, a rotary pump, a rotary compressor and a rotary engine.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly for use in a torsional coupling between a driving member and a driven member wherein the damper assembly provides for a very low rate, high amplitude deflection. The vibration damper includes a hub to be received on a driven shaft, two or more groups of springs having multiple springs of the same or various rates within each group operating in series through the use of floating or transfer members movable arcuately relative to the hub, and one or more spring deflection limiting members permitting the tailoring of the damper characteristics more precisely to the requirements of a given coupling assembly.

Abstract: A flexure hinge assembly comprising a pair of fixed telescopes inner and outer tubular members separated into at least one driving portion, at least one gimbal portion and at least one driven portion and a plurality of flexure blades all formed by a plurality of slots and apertures through the walls of each tubular member. Flexure blades are formed by pairs of adjacent apertures with the slots interconnecting apertures to separate the tubular members into the driving, gimbal, and driven portions. The four slots of each tubular member which divide that member into these three portions are axially coextensive with the slots in the other member and all extend in the same axial direction from the apertures which form the flexure blades. Such axially coextensive slots displace the driving and the driven portions of the tubular members in the same axial direction from the center of suspension, i.e., from the flexure axes of these portions.