Abstract: This invention concerns an articulated coupling or universal coupling including two coupling halves or forks coupled together. A respective machine part is connectable to each of the coupling halves. A supporting component, such as a bracing rod, extends between the coupling halves. On at least one of the coupling halves is a first surface. A second surface is connected to the rod. A spring, or the like, biases the second surface on the rod against the first surface on the coupling half and such bias blocks the coupling half thus engaged from pivoting, tilting or deflecting. The rod or second surface is so arranged that upon the thus supported coupling half being connected to its respective machine part, the cooperating first and second surfaces are no longer so biased together as to prevent the respective coupling half from pivoting, tilting or deflecting.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic double brake includes two working chambers, each defined between a respective stator bucket wheel and a respective rotor bucket wheel. Each of the bucket wheels including buckets that extend into the respective working chambers and the bucket wheel buckets all are oriented at the same tilt angle with respect to the axis of the brake. An inlet line enters the rotor bucket wheels and then branches into the respective working chambers. Outlet ducts exit from each of the working chambers. A shell is defined around the bucket wheels and the brake and includes a valve arrangement which selectively opens the outlet ducts of one working chamber while closing the outlet ducts of the other working chamber, and vice versa.

Abstract: A universal joint, with two preferably one-piece joint forks; a crosspiece joins the lugs of each fork; a crosspin at each side of the crosspiece faces a respective fork lug; bearings placed in the passage in each lug that receives a crosspin; the end of each crosspin is tapered narrower in stepped fashion; the roller bearings in each lug passage are correspondingly stepped; the forks are centered by thrust bearings which are preferably at the radially inner side of each fork lug.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling wherein the radially outermost region of the working circuit communicates with one or more radially inwardly extending channels defined by a casing which surrounds the impeller or runner element or by the casing and one of these elements. The casing has one or more openings located radially inwardly of the normal liquid level in the working circuit and in the channel or channels. These openings discharge working fluid which flows in the channel or channels radially inwardly in response to abrupt rise of fluid pressure in the working circuit as a result of abrupt change in RPM, particularly sudden acceleration of the impeller element. The outflowing fluid reduces the magnitude of transmitted torque, and the upper limit of such torque is determined by the distance between the radially outermost portion(s) of the opening(s) and the common axis of the impeller and runner elements.