Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly includes a tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base, a wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface of the base and an end surface of the wall. Each stiffening rib comprises an outer end portion which is attached to a middle portion and a pair of side portions. The tube yoke also includes a pair of lugs outwardly projecting from the tube seat. Each lug has a crosshole and the crossholes are aligned so as to have a common centerline. Each stiffening rib is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the common centerline of the crossholes and each stiffening rib gradually decreases in thickness from the side portions to the outer end portion and from the middle portion to the outer end portion.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rotary joint spindle and a rotary joint body rotatably disposed on and in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle. The rotary joint body is housed by a hub cap and provided adjacent an end of a spindle. A pressure relief valve is disposed between the hub cap and the rotary joint body. The pressure relief valve selectively provides a seal between the hub cap and the rotary joint body.

Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly includes a tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base, a wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface of the base and an end surface of the wall. Each stiffening rib comprises an outer end portion which is attached to a middle portion and a pair of side portions. The tube yoke also includes a pair of lugs outwardly projecting from the tube seat. Each lug has a crosshole and the crossholes are aligned so as to have a common centerline. Each stiffening rib is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the common centerline of the crossholes and each stiffening rib gradually decreases in thickness from the side portions to the outer end portion and from the middle portion to the outer end portion.

Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly includes a tube seat and a pair of lugs. The lugs outwardly project from the tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base, a wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface of the base and an end surface of the wall. A portion of the stiffening ribs between the inner surface of the base and the end surface of the wall gradually decreases in thickness. A method of reducing the radial deformation of the tube yoke of a driveshaft assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rotary joint spindle and a rotary joint body rotatably disposed on and in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle. The rotary joint body is housed by a hub cap and provided adjacent an end of a spindle. A pressure relief valve is disposed between the hub cap and the rotary joint body. The pressure relief valve selectively provides a seal between the hub cap and the rotary joint body.

Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly is provided. The tube yoke includes a tube seat (42) and a pair of lugs (44). The lugs outwardly project from the tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base (48), a wall (46), and a plurality of stiffening ribs (68). The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface (60) of the base (48) and an end surface (51) of the wall (46). A portion of the stiffening ribs (68) between the inner surface of the base and the end surface of the wall gradually decreases in thickness. A method of reducing the radial deformation of the tube yoke of a driveshaft assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A cross for a universal joint includes a body portion having a trunnion that extends outwardly therefrom. The trunnion includes a surface. A bearing cup is mounted on the trunnion. A retainer includes a first portion that is supported on the bearing cup, a second portion that extends at an angle from the first portion, and a third portion that extends at an angle from the second portion into engagement with the surface of said trunnion. The retainer allows the assembly of the bearing cup and the retainer to be installed on the trunnion with a relatively small force, but requires a relatively large force to remove the assembly of the bearing cup and the retainer from the trunnion.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting a sensing device on a variety of differently sized and shaped articles and for protectively enclosing such a sensing device when the article is moved during use includes a base including a pair of spaced apart feet that engage the outer surface of the article. The feet defined a recessed area in the bottom surface of the base that can receive portions of the article therein regardless of the radius of curvature or other shape thereof. An enclosure area is provided in the base that can receive a sensing device therein. A lid cooperates with the base to provide a protective enclosure for the enclosed area and the sensing device disposed therein. The lid can be retained on the base by any desired retaining structure. A seal can be provided between the lid and the base to prevent dirt, water, and other contaminants from entering into the enclosed area when the lid cooperates with the base.

Abstract: A steering shaft assembly for a vehicle uses a ball spline as a slip member. In general, the slip member includes an outer race member, an inner race member, and a pair of end return members. The outer race member includes one or more grooves or recesses, each groove forming an outer race. The inner race member includes a corresponding number of grooves and inner bores to form an outer race track and inner race tracks, respectively. Each outer race and corresponding outer race track form an outer ball recirculating track for transmitting torque through the recirculating ball bearings. Each inner race track forms an inner ball recirculating track for providing a circumferential path for the ball bearings. In one embodiment, the inner race member and end return members are generally cylindrical in cross sectional shape that is disposed within the outer race member. The outer race member, inner race member and end return member can be any desired cross sectional shape.