Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a flexible boot having a flexible portion extending between a first end and a second end along an axis. The first end is disposed about a portion of a constant velocity joint and the second end is disposed about a portion of a shaft assembly. The first end defines a skirt having an engineered portion that elastically absorbs and/or reflects impact energy.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly includes a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint assembly also includes a sealing boot in contact with the constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint assembly further includes a boot protector disposed on a radially outer surface of a portion of the sealing boot. The constant velocity joint assembly yet further includes a first fastener coupled to the boot protector to secure the boot protector to the constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A boot for a shaft assembly joint and method of construction thereof are provided. The boot has a flexible hollow wall extending about a central axis between a first end and a second end. The first end has a skirt portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a housing of the constant velocity joint and the second end has a neck portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a shaft extending away from the constant velocity joint. At least one of the skirt portion and the neck portion has interior surface formed of a first material having a first coefficient of friction and an exterior surface formed of a second material having a second coefficient of friction, the first coefficient of friction being greater than the second coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for transmitting a torque in a driveline system. The shaft assembly comprises an outer shaft member that extends along an axis and includes an interior surface defining a bore and a plurality of outer grooves at least partially delimiting the bore. An inner shaft member extends along the axis and includes an outer surface defining at least one of a plurality of inner pockets or a plurality of inner grooves aligned with the outer grooves. At least one rolling element is located between the outer grooves and the inner pockets or the outer grooves and the inner grooves. At least one of the outer surface of the inner shaft or the inner surface of the outer shaft is configured to axially retain the at least one rolling element and the shaft assembly does not include a ball retaining cage.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly includes a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint assembly also includes a sealing boot in contact with the constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint assembly further includes a boot protector disposed on a radially outer surface of a portion of the sealing boot. The constant velocity joint assembly yet further includes a first fastener coupled to the boot protector to secure the boot protector to the constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A boot for a shaft assembly joint and method of construction thereof are provided. The boot has a flexible hollow wall extending about a central axis between a first end and a second end. The first end has a skirt portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a housing of the constant velocity joint and the second end has a neck portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a shaft extending away from the constant velocity joint. At least one of the skirt portion and the neck portion has interior surface formed of a first material having a first coefficient of friction and an exterior surface formed of a second material having a second coefficient of friction, the first coefficient of friction being greater than the second coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A universal or constant velocity joint includes a first rotatable shaft member that extends along a longitudinal axis, a bearing member, and a joining member. The first rotatable shaft member has a free end that defines a shaft face spline. The bearing member includes a bearing hub having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinally extending hub bore. The first end has a hub face spline. The joining member fixes the bearing member to the shaft with the hub face spline and shaft face spline engaged in interlocking engagement.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a flexible boot having a flexible portion extending between a first end and a second end along an axis. The first end is disposed about a portion of a constant velocity joint and the second end is disposed about a portion of a shaft assembly. The first end defines a skirt having an engineered portion that elastically absorbs and/or reflects impact energy.

Abstract: A half shaft system includes first and second universal joints, a shaft, a torque sensor device, and computing circuitry. The shaft is engaged to, and extends between, the first and second universal joints. The shaft is adapted to rotate about an axis. The torque sensor device is attached to the shaft, and includes a torque sensor and a transmitter. The torque sensor is configured to measure torque placed upon the shaft. The transmitter is configured to wirelessly output torque signals indicative of the measured toque. The computing circuitry is configured to receive the torque signals, process the torque signals, establish a load history of the half shaft assembly from the processed torque signals, compare the load history to a pre-programmed life model, and estimate a service life of the half shaft assembly from the load history.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a flexible boot having a flexible portion extending between a first end and a second end along an axis. The first end is disposed about a portion of a constant velocity joint and the second end is disposed about a portion of a shaft assembly. The first end defines a skirt having an engineered portion that elastically absorbs and/or reflects impact energy.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for a variable stiffness joint assembly includes a bushing body. The bushing body is disposed about a shaft assembly. The bushing body has an inner bushing surface, an outer bushing surface that is spaced apart from the inner bushing surface, a first bushing face that extends between a first end of the inner bushing surface and a first end of the outer bushing surface, and a second bushing face that extends between a second end of the inner bushing surface and a second end the outer bushing surface.

Abstract: A universal or constant velocity joint includes a first rotatable shaft member that extends along a longitudinal axis, a bearing member, and a joining member. The first rotatable shaft member has a free end that defines a shaft face spline. The bearing member includes a bearing hub having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinally extending hub bore. The first end has a hub face spline. The joining member fixes the bearing member to the shaft with the hub face spline and shaft face spline engaged in interlocking engagement.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member has an inner surface that defines a plurality of engagement elements. The second member has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the second member defines a splined portion. Each member of the splined portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of engagement elements. Each member of the splined portion includes a first protrusion that engages the inner surface of the first member.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a flexible boot having a flexible portion extending between a first end and a second end along an axis. The first end is disposed about a portion of a constant velocity joint and the second end is disposed about a portion of a shaft assembly. The first end defines a skirt having an engineered portion that elastically absorbs and/or reflects impact energy.

Abstract: A driveline joint includes an outer member, an inner member, and a biasing member. The outer member is connected to a first shaft and has a back wall, an end portion, and an inner surface extending between the back wall and the end portion. The inner member is connected to a second shaft and has a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The biasing member is disposed between the back wall and the first end and resists translation of the inner member relative to the outer member.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.