Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer member defining a plurality of outer member ball tracks and an inner member defining a plurality of inner member ball tracks. The outer member ball tracks and the inner member ball tracks cooperate to define a plurality of uniform funnels having a uniform width along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of diverging funnels having a diverging width along the longitudinal axis. A drive ball is disposed within each of the uniform funnels and the diverging funnels. A cage is disposed between the outer member and the inner member, and defines a plurality of windows with one of the drive balls disposed within each of the windows. The diverging funnels urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis to pre-load the cage, while the uniform funnels do not urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis, thereby reducing the amount of heat generated between the cage and the drive balls.

Abstract: A retaining ring for a constant velocity joint includes an annular, C-shaped retainer body that tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis from a first end opening and a first end to a second end opening and a second end, the retainer body comprising a first retainer leg and an opposed second retainer leg, the first retainer leg and the second retainer leg joined together on a proximal end and separated on respective distal ends by a gap. It also includes an axially extending annular rib disposed on the first end of the retainer body. It further includes a relief feature formed on the second end of the first retainer leg and a relief feature formed on the second end of the second leg, the relief feature on the first retainer leg and the relief feature on the second retainer leg disposed closer to the proximal end than the distal ends.

Abstract: A method of making a CV joint is disclosed. The method includes forming a first rotatable shaft having a first longitudinal axis, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end thereof an enlarged pocket end. The method also includes forming a plurality of inwardly extending bores into the enlarged pocket end along peripherally spaced, radially extending pocket axes to a bore depth. The method further includes forming a plurality of inwardly extending ball pockets that are disposed about the pocket axes to a pocket depth, wherein the bore depth is greater than the pocket depth, thereby forming a recessed lubricant reservoir.

Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling a first rotating part and a second rotating part includes a first rotating part comprising a first mounting flange having a first shoulder and a first axis and a second rotating part comprising a second mounting flange having a second shoulder and a second axis, the first flange and the second flange configured to secure the joint assembly. It also includes a cylindrical inner surface disposed in the second shoulder. It further includes a centering flange disposed on the first shoulder, the centering flange having a first length and disposed about the first axis; the centering flange having an axially extending non-contact section and an axially coextending contact section that is disposed within and extends radially outwardly from the noncontact section, the contact section having an annular convexly curved outer surface disposed about the first axis and a second length substantially smaller than the first length.

Abstract: A fixed center constant velocity joint includes a first group of funnels and a second group of funnels arranged radially about a longitudinal axis in alternating relationship. The first group of funnels diverges in a first direction and the second group of funnels diverges in a second direction opposite the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The first group of funnels defines a first diverging width increasing in value along the longitudinal axis and the second group of funnels defines a second diverging width increasing in value at a different rate than the first diverging width to bias the joint in one of the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets having a recessed lubricant reservoir, the lubricant reservoir having a lubricant disposed therein.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer member defining an interior opening and a plurality comprising at least four grooves disposed within the interior opening and extending along a first longitudinal axis with each of the grooves being parallel to the other grooves and the first longitudinal axis, and an inner member disposed within the interior opening having a second longitudinal axis and defining a plurality of pockets corresponding to the grooves disposed radially about the second longitudinal axis with each of the plurality of pockets opposing one of the plurality of grooves. The joint further includes a plurality of drive balls corresponding to the grooves, each drive ball having a spherical shape and rotatably disposed within one of the plurality of pockets and moveably disposed within one of the plurality of grooves, wherein the outer member, inner member and plurality of drive balls comprise a constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling a first rotating part and a second rotating part includes a first rotating part comprising a first mounting flange having a first shoulder and a first axis and a second rotating part comprising a second mounting flange having a second shoulder and a second axis, the first flange and the second flange configured to secure the joint assembly. It also includes a cylindrical inner surface disposed in the second shoulder. It further includes a centering flange disposed on the first shoulder, the centering flange having a first length and disposed about the first axis; the centering flange having an axially extending non-contact section and an axially coextending contact section that is disposed within and extends radially outwardly from the noncontact section, the contact section having an annular convexly curved outer surface disposed about the first axis and a second length substantially smaller than the first length.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets comprising a portion of the pocket having a conformity ratio C greater than about 1.04.

Abstract: A boot assembly and constant velocity joint utilizing the boot assembly is provided. The constant velocity joint and boot assembly includes a first shaft, the first shaft having an axle portion extending between a first end and a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end having an enlarged joint portion. It also includes a hollow boot disposed on the first shaft having a joint end and a shaft end, the joint end disposed proximate the enlarged joint portion and the shaft end disposed proximate the axle portion. The constant velocity joint also includes a spacer, the spacer having an inner surface disposed on the axle portion and an outer surface having the shaft end of the boot disposed thereon.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket portion, the pocket portion having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket portion with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, the distal end of the pocket portion having a convex surface configured to provide a predetermined a range of angular movement.

Abstract: The invention provides a method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. The invention includes a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint. In one aspect, the invention includes a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In another aspect, the invention includes a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer member defining an interior opening and a plurality comprising at least four grooves disposed within the interior opening and extending along a first longitudinal axis with each of the grooves being parallel to the other grooves and the first longitudinal axis, and an inner member disposed within the interior opening having a second longitudinal axis and defining a plurality of pockets corresponding to the grooves disposed radially about the second longitudinal axis with each of the plurality of pockets opposing one of the plurality of grooves. The joint further includes a plurality of drive balls corresponding to the grooves, each drive ball having a spherical shape and rotatably disposed within one of the plurality of pockets and moveably disposed within one of the plurality of grooves, wherein the outer member, inner member and plurality of drive balls comprise a constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets comprising a portion of the pocket having a conformity ratio C greater than about 1.04.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets having a recessed lubricant reservoir, the lubricant reservoir having a lubricant disposed therein.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket portion, the pocket portion having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket portion with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, the distal end of the pocket portion having a convex surface configured to provide a predetermined a range of angular movement.

Abstract: A boot assembly and constant velocity joint utilizing the boot assembly is provided. The constant velocity joint and boot assembly includes a first shaft, the first shaft having an axle portion extending between a first end and a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end having an enlarged joint portion. It also includes a hollow boot disposed on the first shaft having a joint end and a shaft end, the joint end disposed proximate the enlarged joint portion and the shaft end disposed proximate the axle portion. The constant velocity joint also includes a spacer, the spacer having an inner surface disposed on the axle portion and an outer surface having the shaft end of the boot disposed thereon.

Abstract: A universal joint includes an outer member defining an interior opening and a plurality of grooves within the opening extending along a longitudinal axis. An inner member is disposed within the opening and includes a plurality of pockets opposing the grooves. A drive ball is disposed within each pocket and engages the opposing groove. Each of the pockets and each of the grooves opposing the pockets include a central axis passing through a ball center of the drive balls. The drive balls are supported by the pockets and define a pocket contact angle. The drive balls are also supported by the grooves and define a groove contact angle. The pocket contact angle is less than the groove contact angle to urge the drive balls upward against the grooves.

Abstract: A retaining ring for a constant velocity joint includes an annular, C-shaped retainer body that tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis from a first end opening and a first end to a second end opening and a second end, the retainer body comprising a first retainer leg and an opposed second retainer leg, the first retainer leg and the second retainer leg joined together on a proximal end and separated on respective distal ends by a gap. It also includes an axially extending annular rib disposed on the first end of the retainer body. It further includes a relief feature formed on the second end of the first retainer leg and a relief feature formed on the second end of the second leg, the relief feature on the first retainer leg and the relief feature on the second retainer leg disposed closer to the proximal end than the distal ends.

Abstract: A fixed-center constant velocity joint has a race located concentrically to a rotational first axis, and a ring-shaped cage located concentrically to a rotational second axis. Both the race and the cage are centered to a common center point lying on the first and second axes regardless of the angular state of the joint. A spherical surface carried by the race radially opposes a spherical face carried by the cage for angular movement with respect to the center point. The surface and face are in close or contacting relationship to prevent telescoping movement with respect to the first and second axes.