Abstract: A tubular coupling is provided having first and second tubular elements. An annular cage is fixedly mounted on the outer surface of a first section of the first tubular element for defining a chamber with the first section for housing a garter spring. The chamber has an annular passage through which a flared end part extending from a first portion of the second tubular element passes during assembly of the first and second tubular elements to permit the garter spring to pass over the flared end part and contract about the first portion for securing the tubular elements in assembly. An expander ring is provided for expanding and centering the garter spring prior to assembly. Further provided are O-rings retained on the outer surface of the first tubular element for sealing the first tubular element to the second tubular element. The O-rings engage with the second tubular element just before the first and second tubular elements are secured in assembly.

Abstract: A method of attaching a metal shaft (10) to a ceramic shaft (12) having a first diameter (d.sub.1) is characterized by the following steps. A shaft portion (16) is formed on the ceramic shaft with a second diameter (d.sub.2) less than the first diameter. The shaft portion extends from a free end (18) thereof along a portion of the length of the ceramic shaft to a terminal end (20) thereof where the ceramic shaft has a raised portion (22) formed thereon having a third diameter (d.sub.3) less than the first diameter but greater than the second diameter. The free end of the shaft portion has threads (24) thereon. A circular shaped expansion sleeve (26) is placed on the shaft portion in an encircling relationship therewith, the expansion sleeve extending from the raised portion of the metal shaft to a location (28) adjacent a termination of the threads on the shaft portion. All of the members are cooled and then assembled with the metal shaft.

Abstract: A method of attaching a metal shaft (10) to a ceramic shaft (12) having a first diameter (d.sub.1) is characterized by the following steps. A shaft portion (16) is formed on the ceramic shaft with a second diameter (d.sub.2) less than the first diameter. The shaft portion extends from a free end (18) thereof along a portion of the length of the ceramic shaft to a terminal end (20) thereof. A circular shaped metal lock nut (22) is placed on the shaft portion in an encircling relationship therewith. This lock nut has threads (24) on an outer facing surface thereof and a back end (26) which contacts the terminal end of the shaft portion. A circular shaped expansion sleeve (28) is placed on the shaft portion in an encircling relationship therewith, the expansion sleeve extending from the metal lock nut to the free end of the shaft portion.