Abstract: A coupling structure capable of being removed in an undamaged condition from a rotatable shaft. The coupling structure includes a metallic insert and a polymer hub surrounding the metallic insert. The metallic insert features a sleeve and a flange at the leading edge of the sleeve remote from the opening into which the shaft is inserted. Forces applied to the flange are preferentially transferred to the metallic insert such that the polymer hub remains substantially stress-free. The coupling structure may be incorporates into a torsional vibration damper that further includes an inertia member encircling the polymer hub and an elastomer layer situated between the inertia member and the polymer hub. The coupling structure permits the torsional vibration damper to be removed undamaged from a crankshaft.

Abstract: A damper and method for tuning a damper utilizing a surface contact reducing resilient member is disclosed. A damper for dampening torsional and bending vibrations in a rotating shaft includes a hub member, an inertia member spaced radially outwardly from the hub member, and a resilient member positioned under compression between the hub member and the inertia member. The resilient member has at least one protrusion extending axially thereon to reduce the amount of surface contact between the resilient member and the hub member or the inertia member. A method for tuning dampers is also disclosed wherein reducing the amount of surface contact between the resilient member and the hub member and inertia member allows the damper to achieve lower part frequency based primarily on the geometry of the resilient member.

Abstract: A coupling structure capable of being removed in an undamaged condition from a rotatable shaft. The coupling structure includes a metallic insert and a polymer hub surrounding the metallic insert. The metallic insert features a sleeve and a flange at the leading edge of the sleeve remote from the opening into which the shaft is inserted. Forces applied to the flange are preferentially transferred to the metallic insert such that the polymer hub remains substantially stress-free. The coupling structure may be incorporates into a torsional vibration damper that further includes an inertia member encircling the polymer hub and an elastomer layer situated between the inertia member and the polymer hub. The coupling structure permits the torsional vibration damper to be removed undamaged from a crankshaft.