Abstract: A torsion damper comprises a main damper plate surrounding a hub, and a pre-damper mounted on one side of the main damper plate and having a housing which is coupled to the main damper plate for rotation with the latter, by coupling fingers each of which is engaged in a complementary aperture formed in the main damper plate. Guide rings of the pre-damper are retained axially between a first shoulder formed on a set of resiliently deformable hooked tongues, and a second shoulder, with both these shoulders being carried by the housing.Each hooked tongue extends radially inside a corresponding coupling finger and is also arranged to penetrate into the aperture corresponding to the associated coupling finger.

Abstract: A torsional isolator assembly for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) having valving (40d,40e or 161,163) and chamfers (200,201) on pistons (60 or 160). These chamfers (200,201) aid in forming a seal between a surface (42d or 142d) by creating a hydrodynamic film that biases the piston (60 or 160) toward the housing surface (42d or 142d).

Abstract: A one-piece flexible coupling is integrally molded from plastic. A plurality of discs are connected by posts over small circumferential extents with slots formed over the remainder of the circumferential extent of the discs. The posts between adjacent discs are offset by 90.degree. from the previous and subsequent discs. Shafts are connected at both ends of the flexible coupling, and the flexible coupling transmit rotation between the shafts, even when they are at non-parallel angles relative to each other.

Abstract: A boot for a high speed constant velocity universal joint having an articulation accommodating portion attached to the outer joint member of the universal joint and a contiguous linear displacement accommodating portion having its end connected to the inner joint member shaft. The junction between the articulation and linear displacement accommodating portions is reinforced to form a boot stabilizer at a point intermediate its opposite ends which inhibits eccentric spinning of the boot at high rotational speeds. The articulation accommodating portion has a first plurality of annular convolutes, the diameters of which diminish as a function of their displacement from the outer joint member. The linear displacement accommodating portion has a second plurality of annular convolutes having substantially equal diameters.

Abstract: A torsion isolator assembly (30) for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) having valving (40d,40e) for regulating the damping factor of the damper, spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84), and cam surfaces (44d,44c) which engage the ends of the spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84).; The spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84) have a lesser radial spacing between the outer convolutions as compared to the radial spacing between the inner convolutions.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping mechanism (30) in a free standing clutch plate (26) for a vehicle driveline. The mechanism (30) includes composite C-shaped springs (41,42) for attenuating driveline torsionals and transmitting driveline torque, and a viscous damper (48) for controlling the rate of flexing of the springs. The mechanism also includes input and output drives (46,44) for flexing the springs only radially inward. The C-shaped composite springs are formed by removing a center portion of a minor arc of a closed ring comprising a plurality of layers of reinforcing filaments, or by cutting a composite cylinder into closed rings and removing the center portion. The composite springs include expanded end portions (41a,41b,42a,42b or 106b) to facilitate attachment of end brackets (72) to the springs without need of fasteners penetrating the composite.

Abstract: A shaft assembly is assembled by press-fitting a tube of fiber-synthetic material and a rigid connection structure which includes an outer sleeve and an inner connecting member. The outer sleeve has axially extending inward projections which engage the tube at one end of the sleeve and the inner connecting member at the other end of the sleeve. This permits the sleeve and the inward projections therein to be made in a simpler manner.

Abstract: A unique boot retainer for use in a constant velocity universal joint includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially inwardly extending resilient tabs. The tabs snap into a groove at an outer peripheral surface of an outer race to provide a positive abutment, properly positioning the retainer and the boot relative to the outer race. The unique construction simplifies assembly of the boot and retainer to the outer race.

Abstract: A slip joint seal for a driveshaft is between two universal joint yokes. A male splined shaft rotates with a first yoke and a female splined shaft rotates with a second yoke, with the two being mechanically engaged for slidable but nonrotational movement during operation of the driveshaft. A sealing sleeve extends from the first yoke around the male splined shaft and is of a larger diameter than the female splined shaft. The female splined shaft has a first outwardly-facing, annular seal at its outer end, away from the second yoke, which seal engages the inner surface of the sealing sleeve. A propeller shaft is affixed to the end of the female splined shaft toward the second yoke and to the second yoke, preferably being of the same diameter as the sleeve. A second annular seal which is the same size and the first one is carried by an end of the male splined shaft beyond the female shaft. The second seal engages the inner surface of the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint, suitable for high speed low angle use, comprises outer and inner joint members (10,11) with engaging part-spherical surfaces (12,13) and arcuate ball-receiving grooves (14,15) diverging towards an end of the outer joint member closed by a closure member (17) with balls (16) held in the grooves by an element (31) and support member (32) which is pivoted on the closure member, and a spring (36) acting between the element (31) and support member (32) so that the balls are urged as far as possible into the grooves to take up clearances and maintain stability of the joint, particularly under no-torque conditions.

Abstract: A journal bearing including a plurality of individual foils mounted to one of a pair of relatively rotatable members, and a plurality of undersprings which provide resilient support for the foils. The foils include a transition area defined for example by a step, adjacent the trailing edge of the preceding foil. The use of the stepped foil optimizes the geometry of the air gap profile, and thereby increases the load capacity of the journal foil bearing.

Abstract: A telescopic coupling for use in applications such as the steering systems of heavy trucks. The coupling has modes and includes a female member, a male member, and an interposed member which are connected together in a main sliding system operable in a first operating mode in which the male and female members are axially slidable relative to one another and the coupling is rotatable substantially without circumferential play. The female member, the male member, and the interposed member are joined together in a second sliding system operable in a second operating mode in which the male and female members are axially slidable relative to one another and the coupling is rotatable with a limited amount of circumferential play. The secondary sliding system ensures the safety of the main sliding system in the event of wear of the latter by the appearance of circumferential play in the coupling.

Abstract: A compensating coupler uses spring coupling legs and tabs to connect a rotary (reciprocating) input drive to a rotary (reciprocating) output drive. The coupler exhibits very low backlash and compensates for misalignment between the input and output drives.

Abstract: A cushion connector (10) used for above ground drilling has pin (11) and box (12) components at opposite ends. A housing (13) extends axially between the pin and box components. A drive spline (22) is operably connected to one of the components and extends outwardly from the axis (23) of the cushion connector (10). A plurality of drive blocks (24) extend inwardly from the inside diameter of the housing (13) and engage with keyways (69) of the drive spline (22). Drive lugs (71) connected to the inside of the housing (13) act on the drive blocks (24) and resilient cushion blocks (70). A spring (30, 60) extends between the pin (11) and box (12) components within the housing (13) and exerts axial force between them. The drive splines (22) are coaxial with the connector (10) and move axially under operation. Cushion blocks (70) are provided between the drive blocks (24) and drive lugs (71).

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripod type comprising a hollow outer joint member having a rotational axis and three interior guide grooves parallel to its rotational axis and equally circumferentially spaced thereabout, each guide groove having a base portion and opposed side portions; an inner joint member, inside the outer joint member, having a rotational axis and three arms equally spaced about this rotational axis and extending radially into the outer member guide grooves; each arm carrying a roller assembly with an outer roller element having an external surface engaging opposed side portions of a guide groove; an inner roller element mounted on the arm and supporting the outer roller element so that the outer roller element can rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm; and a guide element engaging the base portion of the guide groove for sliding movement therealong and also engaging the outer roller element to constrain the outer roller element against tilting r

Abstract: A resilient connector for a steering shaft connecting a wheel steering system and a steering handle, comprises a flange member connected to a first shaft member extending from the wheel steering system, particularly in such a manner that it can be shifted axially but not rotated with respect to the first shaft member; a yoke member connected through a universal joint to a second shaft member extending from the steering handle; a resilient member arranged between the flange member and the yoke member; a first connecting member for connecting the flange member to the resilient member; and a second connecting member for connecting the yoke member to the resilient member. Vibration from the wheel steering system is prevented from being transmitted to the steering handle by the resilient member, and the resilient member permits an axial movement of the first shaft member during a collision.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has replaceable inserts for ball grooves. The inserts and balls can be removed and replaced with new ones as needed, without the requirement of replacing the entire universal joint. The inserts can be made from solid blocks which are bored and cut in half to form inserts for the inner and outer races of the universal joint. The inserts can be machined and matched in particular ways to form a variety of designs of ball grooves.

Abstract: A transmission joint has a body connected to a first shaft which delimits a cavity. Inside the cavity is formed at least one pair of running tracks, in which is received a running element connected to a second shaft. The joint has an element for axially retaining the body relative to the second shaft, which element comprises an elastically deformable element which has the shape of a body of revolution, a high axial rigidity and two coaxial, cylindrical joining surfaces, an inner surface and an outer surface, which are connected to the second shaft and the body, respectively.

Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint for large articulation angles and a high torque capacity has an inner member and an outer member produced with undercut-free opposing first outer running grooves and first inner running grooves as well as opposing outer running grooves and second inner running grooves starting from different open end faces. To achieve a constant track depth, as possible, via the articulation angle, the webs between two circumferentially adjoining outer running grooves are divided into first and second inner faces which extend, in an undercut-free way, from the same open end face of the directly adjoining outer running grooves.

Abstract: A flexible disc-like coupling element is provided for use in a flexible coupling which joins a driving shaft to a driven shaft of a drive train apparatus. The disc-like coupling element includes a substantially arcuate shaped hub portion at least partially defining and at least partially surrounding a central aperture. The hub portion has a radial dimension as defined from the central aperture of the disc-like coupling element. The hub portion includes a structure for flexing across the radial dimension within the plane of the disc-like coupling element. The disc-like coupling element also includes a plurality of lobes spaced from the hub portion and connector portions corresponding to each lobe for connecting the corresponding lobe to the hub portion. Each lobe has a pair of substantially arcuate shaped arms joined together adjacent a corresponding connector portion. The arms extend away from one another in substantially opposite directions and terminate in free ends.