Abstract: A line-start synchronous motor has a housing, a rotor shaft, and an output shaft. A soft-start coupling portion is operatively coupled to the output shaft and the rotor shaft. The soft-start coupling portion is configurable to enable the synchronous motor to obtain synchronous operation and to drive, at least near synchronous speed during normal steady state operation of the motor, a load having characteristics sufficient to prevent obtaining normal synchronous operation of the motor when the motor is operatively connected to the load in the absence of the soft-start coupling. The synchronous motor is sufficiently rated to obtain synchronous operation and to drive, at least near synchronous speed during normal steady state operation of the motor, a load having characteristics sufficient to prevent obtaining normal synchronous operation of the motor when the motor is operatively connected to the load in the absence of the soft-start coupling.

Abstract: A coupling transmits torque between shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis. The coupling has a center axis approximately aligned with the shaft axis and a center element formed from an elastomer material. The center element has first and second axial sides. A clamp ring extends axially from each side of the center element along the coupling center axis. The clamp rings may include slots for fasteners for mounting the coupling to shaft hubs. The clamp ring has a flange portion embedded within the center element. Each clamp ring flange portion extends substantially away from the coupling center axis within the center element. An amount of extension away from the coupling center axis is selected to provide the coupling with a desired torsional stiffness characteristic. In accordance with a method, the coupling is formed by selecting the flange portions that will provide the coupling with a desired torsional stiffness characteristic.

Abstract: A coupling transmits torque between shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis. The coupling has a center axis approximately aligned with the shaft axis and a center element formed from an elastomer material. The center element has first and second axial sides. A clamp ring extends axially from each side of the center element along the coupling center axis. The clamp rings may include slots for fasteners for mounting the coupling to shaft hubs. The clamp ring has a flange portion embedded within the center element. Each clamp ring flange portion extends substantially away from the coupling center axis within the center element. An amount of extension away from the coupling center axis is selected to provide the coupling with a desired torsional stiffness characteristic. In accordance with a method, the coupling is formed by selecting the flange portions that will provide the coupling with a desired torsional stiffness characteristic.

Abstract: A bearing is disclosed. The bearing has an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. The outer ring has a crowned outer surface. A waveform expansion sleeve is disposed about the outer ring. The waveform expansion sleeve has a cylindrical outer surface dimensioned to be received in a bore of a bearing housing and an inner surface with a profile matching the outer ring outer surface. The waveform expansion sleeve has an undulating radial cross-section sufficient to exert radial pressure at its inner surface against the outer ring outer surface when mounted in the bore of the bearing housing to sufficiently secure the bearing in the housing. The expansion sleeve inner surface forms a seal with the outer ring outer surface when the bearing is installed in the bearing housing.

Abstract: A bearing is disclosed. The bearing has an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. The outer ring has a crowned outer surface. A waveform expansion sleeve is disposed about the outer ring. The waveform expansion sleeve has a cylindrical outer surface dimensioned to be received in a bore of a bearing housing and an inner surface with a profile matching the outer ring outer surface. The waveform expansion sleeve has an undulating radial cross-section sufficient to exert radial pressure at its inner surface against the outer ring outer surface when mounted in the bore of the bearing housing to sufficiently secure the bearing in the housing. The expansion sleeve inner surface forms a seal with the outer ring outer surface when the bearing is installed in the bearing housing.

Abstract: A coupling system is disclosed for coupling rotating elements such as a pairs of shafts, flywheel and a shaft, and so forth. A first hub assembly is attached to a shaft via a tapered sleeve mechanism. A flexible element is captured by the hub assembly and is used to couple one rotating member to another. The hub assembly includes a hub, a flange, and an adjusting nut that are used in conjunction with fasteners to compress the flexible element. The flange has anti-rotation features that engage similar features on the outside diameter of the hub. The adjusting nut has internal threads that engage external threads on the hub outside diameter. The flexible element either mounts directly to the second rotating element or is captured by a second hub assembly. The second hub assembly is attached to the second shaft via a tapered sleeve mechanism.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a bearing assembly. The sealing system comprising a removable cover and a rotatable member. The bearing assembly also comprising a bearing insert and a bearing housing. The removable cover is securable to the bearing housing. The rotatable member is secured to the removable cover. The rotatable member has an opening for a rotatable shaft to pass into the bearing assembly through the rotatable member. The opening through the rotatable member is adapted to receive the rotatable shaft and to form a seal against the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system for mounting mechanical components is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a sleeve having a surface for interfacing with a hollow outer member, a surface for interfacing with an inner member having an inner circumferential lip, and a threaded extension. The system also includes a locking member having exterior threads configured to engage the threaded extension of the sleeve, and a varying depth groove configured to mate with the inner circumferential lip of the sleeve. A locking member and methods for sleeve mounting systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method for coupling first and second mechanical members is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing at least one insulating sleeve and a mating locking member. The locking member may be configured to cooperate with the at least one insulating sleeve to secure the first and second mechanical members to one another. Additionally, the at least one insulating sleeve may facilitate electrical isolation of the first and second members. Various additional component mounting systems, methods, and locking members are also provided.

Abstract: A coupling system is disclosed for coupling rotating elements such as a pairs of shafts, flywheel and a shaft, and so forth. A first hub assembly is attached to a shaft via a tapered sleeve mechanism. A flexible element is captured by the hub assembly and is used to couple one rotating member to another. The hub assembly includes a hub, a flange, and an adjusting nut that are used in conjunction with fasteners to compress the flexible element. The flange has anti-rotation features that engage similar features on the outside diameter of the hub. The adjusting nut has internal threads that engage external threads on the hub outside diameter. The flexible element either mounts directly to the second rotating element or is captured by a second hub assembly. The second hub assembly is attached to the second shaft via a tapered sleeve mechanism.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing two ends of a rotating member, such as a shaft, with respect to a non-rotating member, such as a mounting hub. Inner and outer sleeves have tapered surfaces and are positioned about the rotating member and provided within a bore of the non-rotating member. The tapered surfaces of the inner and outer sleeves cooperate in securing the shaft within the bore. The one or more inner sleeves collectively provide two threaded extensions for engagement with two nuts. Further, the one or more outer sleeves aggregately include two extensions, each having an annular groove to accommodate a lip formed in the nut. The system is engaged and disengaged through the interaction of the various tapered surfaces and the nuts, caused by the directional rotation of the nuts.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing a rotating member with respect to a non-rotating member. A hollow member, such as a mounting hub or an inner ring of a bearing assembly, includes an extension having an annular outer groove. One or more tapered sleeves serve to lock the hollow member about a mechanical component, such as a shaft. A nut engageable on a sleeve includes an eccentric front aperture adjacent to a concentric groove, thereby forming a lip of varying depth The system is engaged by rotation of the nut on the sleeve in one direction, and disassembled by counterrotation of the nut such that a portion of the varying depth lip co-acts with a lip formed by a groove on an outer sleeve or on the hollow member.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having an integral flange hub configured to bear against a flexible coupling element, and an external flange element configured to engage the hub to exert compressive force on the flexible coupling element. The assembly further includes a nut having inner threads configured to mate with a threaded extension of the hub to urge the hub and the external flange element into engagement with the flexible coupling element. The assembly may also include a tapered sleeve and a sleeve nut having inner threads configured to mate with the threaded extension of the tapered sleeve to secure the hub with a shaft.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing two ends of a rotating member, such as a shaft, with respect to a non-rotating member, such as a mounting hub. Inner and outer sleeves have tapered surfaces and are positioned about the rotating member and provided within a bore of the non-rotating member. The tapered surfaces of the inner and outer sleeves cooperate in securing the shaft within the bore. The one or more inner sleeves collectively provide two threaded extensions for engagement with two nuts. Further, the one or more outer sleeves aggregately include two extensions, each having an annular groove to accommodate a lip formed in the nut. The system is engaged and disengaged through the interaction of the various tapered surfaces and the nuts, caused by the directional rotation of the nuts.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to accommodate positional variations in a bearing assembly, which has a clearance adjustment assembly for setting the roller clearance therein. The bearing assembly has multiple rows of tapered rollers disposed circumferentially between an inner sleeve and the clearance adjustment assembly, which is secured by an outer retaining sleeve. The clearance adjustment assembly has at least one clearance adjustment ring disposed adjacent multiple tapered support rings, which extend circumferentially about the multiple rows of tapered rollers. In the bearing assembly, the at least one clearance adjustment ring forces the multiple tapered support rings against the multiple rows of tapered rollers to set the desired roller clearance. Accordingly, the bearing assembly can accommodate expansion, contraction, and angular variations in the system.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing a rotating member with respect to a non-rotating member. A hollow member, such as an inner ring of a bearing assembly, includes an extension having an annular outer groove. A tapered sleeve serves to lock the hollow member about a mechanical component, such as a shaft. A nut engageable on the sleeve includes an eccentric front aperture adjacent to a concentric groove, thereby forming a lip of varying depth. The system is engaged by rotation of the nut on the sleeve in one direction, and disassembled by counterrotation of the nut such that a portion of the varying depth lip co-acts with a lip formed by the groove of the hollow member.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for setting the roller clearance of a multi-row tapered roller bearing assembly via a clearance adjustment assembly and an outer retaining sleeve. The bearing assembly has multiple rows of tapered rollers disposed circumferentially between an inner sleeve and the clearance adjustment assembly, which is secured by the outer retaining sleeve. The clearance adjustment assembly has at least one clearance adjustment ring disposed adjacent multiple tapered support rings, which extend circumferentially about the multiple rows of tapered rollers. In the bearing assembly, the at least one clearance adjustment ring forces the multiple tapered support rings against the multiple rows of tapered rollers to set the desired roller clearance.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing a rotating member with respect to a non-rotating member. A hollow member, such as a mounting hub or an inner ring of a bearing assembly, includes an extension having an annular outer groove. One or more tapered sleeves serve to lock the hollow member about a mechanical component, such as a shaft. A nut engageable on a sleeve includes an eccentric front aperture adjacent to a concentric groove, thereby forming a lip of varying depth The system is engaged by rotation of the nut on the sleeve in one direction, and disassembled by counterrotation of the nut such that a portion of the varying depth lip co-acts with a lip formed by a groove on an outer sleeve or on the hollow member.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing a rotating member with respect to a non-rotating member. A hollow member, such as an inner ring of a bearing assembly, includes an extension having an annular outer groove. A tapered sleeve serves to lock the hollow member about a mechanical component, such as a shaft. A nut engageable on the sleeve includes an eccentric front aperture adjacent to a concentric groove, thereby forming a lip of varying depth. The system is engaged by rotation of the nut on the sleeve in one direction, and disassembled by counterrotation of the nut such that a portion of the varying depth lip co-acts with a lip formed by the groove of the hollow member.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for setting the roller clearance of a multi-row tapered roller bearing assembly via a clearance adjustment assembly and an outer retaining sleeve. The bearing assembly has multiple rows of tapered rollers disposed circumferentially between an inner sleeve and the clearance adjustment assembly, which is secured by the outer retaining sleeve. The clearance adjustment assembly has at least one clearance adjustment ring disposed adjacent multiple tapered support rings, which extend circumferentially about the multiple rows of tapered rollers. In the bearing assembly, the at least one clearance adjustment ring forces the multiple tapered support rings against the multiple rows of tapered rollers to set the desired roller clearance. The bearing assembly also may have seals disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer retaining sleeve at opposite sides of the multiple rows of tapered rollers.