Shrunk Fit Patents (Class 403/273)
  • Patent number: 11788616
    Abstract: A journal bearing comprising a first component and a second component, the first and second components being arranged to rotate relative to one another in normal use. The first component comprises a first body, a first layer forming a functional surface facing the second component, and a first subsurface layer between the body and the layer. The first subsurface layer is formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion in the radial direction, and the first body is formed of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion in the radial direction. The first coefficient of thermal expansion is lower than the second coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Fiona Halliday, Mark Spruce
  • Patent number: 11365630
    Abstract: A rotor assembly adapted for a gas turbine engine includes a shaft, a wheel, and a retaining nut. The shaft extends along an axis and includes a first tapered surface. The wheel is arranged circumferentially around the shaft and includes a second tapered surface. The retaining nut is fastened to the shaft and applies an axial force to the wheel to couple the wheel with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry J. Lighty, Paul O'Meallie, Brian R. Bennett, Matthew Jordan
  • Patent number: 10443604
    Abstract: Systems and methods to clamp an impeller on a shaft in a centrifugal compressor. The embodiments as disclosed herein may include clamping individual impeller independently to the shaft, which may reduce the tolerance stack-up effect of a plurality of impellers. The impeller can be clamped to the shaft by positioning, for example, a relatively stiff support (e.g. a shaft locknut) on a front side of the impeller. The impeller can also be clamped to the shaft by a relatively flexible support to compensate for e.g. thermal expansion/contraction of the impeller. The embodiments as disclosed herein are particularly suitable for a multi-stage impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson, Todd W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10267152
    Abstract: The present application relates generally to a piloted nut. The piloted nut may be used on a tie-shaft to apply an axial load to a rotor. A piloting feature on an exterior surface of the nut provides radial piloting to the rotor. The piloted nut may be used in a gas turbine engine to apply an axial load to a rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Wasserman, Ronald R. Gagnon, Jr., Christopher M. Juh, Larry A. Witherup, David B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9657762
    Abstract: A Z-pin including a first bi-metal structure having a first metal strip and a second metal strip bonded together, where the first and second metal strips have different coefficients of thermal expansion, and a second bi-metal structure having a third metal strip and fourth metal strip bonded together, where the third metal strip and the fourth metal strip have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The first and third metal strips are selectively secured together at at least one discrete location so that heating of the Z-pin causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other. The Z-pin is inserted into a composite laminate structure while it is in its uncured state, where curing of the composite structure causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other to lock the laminate layers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Neal, Charles R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9347460
    Abstract: A rotary machine includes: a shaft that rotates; a disc that has a substantially cylindrical hub fitted into the shaft and is provided so as to widen outward in a radial direction from a front end to a rear end of the substantially cylindrical hub; and an impeller having a plurality of blades provided on a surface of the disc. The substantially cylindrical hub has a tight fit section having an internal radius that is smaller than a radius of the shaft, and a loose fit section having an internal radius that is greater than the internal radius of the tight fit section. The loose fit section is provided on a front end side of the substantially cylindrical hub with respect to the tight fit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyori Yagi, Akihiro Nakaniwa, Hitoshi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9216716
    Abstract: A wiper device includes pivot shafts to which wiper arms are secured, pivot holders, which rotationally support the pivot shafts, coupling shafts, and a pipe frame having cylindrical ends. The cylindrical ends of the pipe frame are coupled to the coupling shafts. The coupling shafts each include a swaging part, which is swaged to the corresponding cylindrical end, and a flat portion, which is located at part of the coupling shaft exposed from the pipe frame. The flat portions have a predetermined angle with respect to the swaging direction of the swaging and are parallel to the axis of the coupling shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Asmo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Murata, Kouji Takeuchi, Kenta Toriyama, So Asano
  • Patent number: 9022683
    Abstract: A tolerance ring can include a generally cylindrical body having a sidewall. The sidewall can include a plurality of wave structures extending from the sidewall at regular intervals around the body, a first unformed section between a first pair of adjacent wave structures, and a second unformed section between a second pair of adjacent wave structures. The gap can extend along an entire length, L, of the body to establish a split in the body. The second unformed section can include a slot therein. The slot can have a length, LS, and LS?80% L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Nias, Andrew Robert Slayne, Simon Alan Hughes
  • Patent number: 9023288
    Abstract: A device including a first part made of ceramic material shrink fitted with a first shrink ring, in which an edge of an axial end of a cylindrical portion of the first part to which the first shrink ring is fitted and an edge of an axial end of the first shrink ring belong to one and the same transverse plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Centre de Recheches et d'Etudes European
    Inventors: Christian His, Franceline Villermaux, Guillaume Belly
  • Patent number: 8899038
    Abstract: An actuator includes a capturing part, a retained part and a heating element which applies heat to the retained part or the capturing part responsive to selective application of power to the at least one heating element. The capturing part attaches to a first object and has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The retained part attaches to a second object and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The retained part is insertable into the capturing part in a first state of the actuator. The retained part is held in contact with the capturing part via an interference fit to hold the first and second objects proximate to each other in a second state. The retained part is ejected from the capturing part in a third state. Applying heat via the heating element causes a transition between the second and the first or third states of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Clint T. Apland, David R. Weir, David F. Persons, Michael T. Marley
  • Patent number: 8853563
    Abstract: A cold shrink assembly includes a first member, a second member and insulating material disposed over the first and second members. The first member may include first and second portions that are coupled together and configured to be separable from each other, where the first and second portions forming a main body having curved portions extending from the main body. The second member may include third and fourth portions that are coupled together and configured to be separable from each other, where the third and fourth portions form a receiving portion located at a second end of the second member. The receiving portion may be configured to secure the curved portions of the first member to the receiving portion when the first and second members are in a first position, and release the curved portions from the receiving portion when the first and second members are in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Verner, Stanley Szyszko
  • Patent number: 8844403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft-hub connection, in particular of assembled camshafts (10) for combustion engines, at which at least two functional parts (14, 16, 18) are shrunk or pressed onto corresponding rotationally symmetric shaft sections (24, 26, 28) with the hub thereof, wherein in an assembly direction (30) of the functional parts (14, 16, 18), the first section (24) is designed with a larger exterior circumference than the second section (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Hans Bernd Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8847462
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor that exhibits a rotor shaft, by which a rotor axis is defined, and also a core stack that is arranged around the rotor shaft along a longitudinal portion of the rotor axis. Along the longitudinal portion the rotor shaft exhibits a first surface region, the shape of which describes a circular cylinder, and also a second surface region which is constituted by structural elements that with respect to the rotor axis rise radially outwardly above the first surface region. For the purpose of producing the rotor, the core stack can be pushed over the rotor shaft and in the process can be pushed against the structural elements) in such a manner that it is deformed and by this means a positive connection between the rotor shaft and the core stack is generated. In this way, in particularly simple manner in terms of production engineering a reliable and torsion-proof connection between the core stack and the rotor shaft can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hirschvogel Umformtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Filgertshofer
  • Publication number: 20140234018
    Abstract: A bracket includes a cylindrical portion and a plate-shaped portion that are integrally formed. The cylindrical portion is provided at one end side of a blank along one direction and is provided with a slit extending over an entire length of the cylindrical portion in the one direction as a result of forming a portion at the one end side of the blank along the one direction into a cylindrical shape extending in the one direction. The plate-shaped portion is provided at the other end side of the blank along the one direction. The cylindrical portion of the bracket is inserted in the cylindrical body member formed of an aluminum alloy material, and the body member and the cylindrical portion are clinched by electromagnetic tube compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventor: Yoshihaya IMAMURA
  • Patent number: 8702338
    Abstract: A connection for connecting shafts in a wind turbine includes a first shaft and a second shaft which are inter-connectable by connecting an interconnection part of the first shaft and an interconnection part of the second shaft, and a shrinkable disk positioned and adapted so as to lock the first shaft to the second shaft by providing pressure to the interconnection parts of the first and second shaft when the interconnection parts are interconnected, and where the interconnection part of each of the first and second shafts comprises a plurality of friction surfaces transferring moment between the first and second shafts by friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Peter Albæk Riisager, Niels Christian Olsen
  • Patent number: 8695215
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the assembly of a balance shaft unit for use in motor vehicles. The assembly includes a housing having a bearing section, a rotating component and at least one rolling element bearing for the axially fixed journaling of the rotating component in the bearing section of the housing. The rolling element bearing has a first ring section associated with the rotating component and a second ring section associated with the bearing section. First, the rolling element bearing is axially fixedly installed on the rotating component or in the bearing section. Next, the rotating component is cooled and/or the housing part is heated. Finally, the rotating component is introduced into the bearing section and is held until a temperature compensation has taken place between the rotating component and the housing such that a shrink-fit connection is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 8662785
    Abstract: A shaft-gear connection comprises a shaft and a shrunk-on gear that has an axial first section, attached by a first shrink-fit bond, and an axial second section, attached by a second shrink-fit bond. The second shrink-fit bond is greater than the first shrink-fit bond so that a greater maximum torque to be transmitted from the gear to the shaft by the second shrink-fit bond than by the first shrink-fit bond. An axial intermediate section, attached by a third shrink-fit bond, is located between the axial first section and the axial second section. Both a surface pressure and a maximum torque that can be transmitted by the third shrink-fit bond are greater than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the first shrink-fit bond, but are less than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the second shrink-fit bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Patent number: 8517339
    Abstract: Interference fit assembly of a first metal part and a second metal part, wherein the first metal part has a recess with an inner contact surface, and the second metal part has an outer contact surface being coupled to the inner contact surface by an interference fit. At least one of the contact surfaces includes a surface layer including a diamond-like carbon. In a method for producing an interference fit assembly the surface layer is applied on at least one of the contact surfaces by a Physical Vapor Deposition or a Chemical Vapor Deposition process with the surface layer having the diamond-like carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Paolo Bertini, Alessio Di Cocco, Fabrizio Piarulli
  • Publication number: 20120282018
    Abstract: A shaft-gear connection comprises a shaft and a shrunk-on gear that has an axial first section, attached by a first shrink-fit bond, and an axial second section, attached by a second shrink-fit bond. The second shrink-fit bond is greater than the first shrink-fit bond so that a greater maximum torque to be transmitted from the gear to the shaft by the second shrink-fit bond than by the first shrink-fit bond. An axial intermediate section, attached by a third shrink-fit bond, is located between the axial first section and the axial second section. Both a surface pressure and a maximum torque that can be transmitted by the third shrink-fit bond are greater than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the first shrink-fit bond, but are less than the surface pressure and the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the second shrink-fit bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm HARDTLE
  • Publication number: 20120195679
    Abstract: With the aim of providing a rotation transmitting member that suppresses the occurrence of abnormal noises, a rotation transmitting member includes a fitting portion (23) formed at an end portion and having an irregular shaped cross section to be fitted into a hole having an irregular shaped cross section and a heat-shrinkable tube (41) covering the fitting portion (23). A shrink portion (43) of the heat-shrinkable tube (41) caused to shrink by heat so as to firmly adhere to an outer surface of the fitting portion (23) is formed on a tip end side of the fitting portion (23). A non-shrink portion (45) of the heat-shrinkable tube (41) not subjected to heat shrinkage is formed on a base end side of the fitting portion (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Isao Tanaka, Hiroshi Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20120017721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft-hub connection, in particular of assembled camshafts (10) for combustion engines, at which at least two functional parts (14, 16, 18) are shrunk or pressed onto corresponding rotationally symmetric shaft sections (24, 26, 28) with the hub thereof, wherein in an assembly direction (30) of the functional parts (14, 16, 18), the first section (24) is designed with a larger exterior circumference than the second section (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Hans Bernd Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8061030
    Abstract: A cylinder head modification method includes the steps of selecting a cylinder head for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers and the cylinder head having a plurality of combustion chamber faces on the top of each combustion chamber. An elongated cylinder head insert is selected having a generally T-shaped cross-section and then forming an elongated slot in the selected cylinder head between a pair of combustion chamber faces. The elongated slot is shaped to receive the elongated cylinder head insert therein. A method includes press fitting the elongated cylinder head insert into the elongated slot and the cylinder head to thereby reduce localized high temperature deformations in the cylinder head. The method includes the step of heating the cylinder head to expand the slot for pressure fitting the cylinder head insert thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Henry J. Outhouse
  • Publication number: 20110254197
    Abstract: A cold shrink assembly includes a first member, a second member and insulating material disposed over the first and second members. The first member may include first and second portions that are coupled together and configured to be separable from each other, where the first and second portions forming a main body having curved portions extending from the main body. The second member may include third and fourth portions that are coupled together and configured to be separable from each other, where the third and fourth portions form a receiving portion located at a second end of the second member. The receiving portion may be configured to secure the curved portions of the first member to the receiving portion when the first and second members are in a first position, and release the curved portions from the receiving portion when the first and second members are in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Verner, Stanley Szyszko
  • Patent number: 7918006
    Abstract: A method for making pipe joints on successive pipe sections introduced into an oil well as assembled into a pipeline in which the joints are substantially of the same dimensions as the pipe sections to allow for subsequent plastic expansion of the sections. In each joint, a female pipe end is tapered on the inside and an adjacent male end is tapered on the outside preferably with a complementary self locking taper which also has an interference fit. The female pipe end is heated to be expanded sufficiently to be assembled onto the male end and thereafter cooled to grip the male end in a leakproof manner. For larger pipe sizes, the tapered shapes have features which interlock in a leakproof manner when engaged after assembly of the pipe ends. The tapered shapes preferably are formed by a reversibly positioned forming tool which is alternately engaged with male and female pipe ends to ensure perfectly matching shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: Semyon Brayman, Alexander Rudovich
  • Patent number: 7856718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a screen cylinder, and a screen cylinder that is particularly suitable for screening, filtering, fractionating, or sorting cellulose pulp suspensions of the pulp and paper making industry, or other similar suspensions. The present invention relates more particularly to a screen cylinder formed from a plurality of screen wires leaving screening slots therebetween, and circular support elements. The support elements include openings/grooves for installation of the screen wires therein, so that at least one of the support rings is thermally deformed and clamps the screen wires in the openings/grooves of the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Fiber Technologies (AFT TRUST)
    Inventor: Aku Asikainen
  • Patent number: 7774916
    Abstract: A new shrink fitting method including deformation is disclosed, in which a high bonding force can be obtained without accurate mechanical process such as forming an insertion body having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of an object for receiving the insertion body. The shrink fitting method comprises preparing a pipe and a rod material whose inner and outer diameters are different from each other; bonding the pipe and the rod material to each other in a state that the pipe or the rod material is deformed by heating; deforming the pipe to allow the inner diameter of the pipe to be equal to the outer diameter of the rod material; and cooling the bonded pipe and rod material. The shrink fitting method can be widely used for various mechanical parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kwang-Koo Jee, Jun-Hyun Han, Yoon-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7761969
    Abstract: Methods for making refractory crucibles capable of managing thermal stresses and suitable for melting highly reactive alloys, the method involving providing a crucible having at least a facecoat and a backing, heating at least one retaining ring, applying the at least one retaining ring about at least a portion of the backing of the crucible; and allowing the at least one retaining ring to cool and shrink-fit about the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Michael Francis Xavier Gigliotti, Mohamed Rahmane, Thomas Joseph Kelly, Michael James Weimer, Sairam Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20100092237
    Abstract: A shaft-gear connection and method for producing the connection which includes a shaft (2) and a shrunk-on gear (4). The gear (4) has a first axial section (5) attached to the shaft (2) by a first shrink-fit (8) and a second axial section (6) attached to the shaft (2) by a second shrink-fit (9). The second shrink-fit (9) allows greater torques to be transmitted from the gear (4) to the shaft (2) than the first shrink-fit (8). An intermediate axial section (7) of the gear (4), attached to the shaft (2) by a third shrink-fit (10), is located between the first and second axial sections (5, 6). The torque transmitted from the gear (4) to the shaft (2) by the third shrink-fit (10) is greater than the first shrink-fit (8) but smaller than the second shrink-fit (9). The connection allows greater torque to be transmitted without increasing the risk of damaging the external gearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Hardtle
  • Patent number: 7647963
    Abstract: A device for coupling a driver system to a downhole string of sucker rods in a petroleum well employs a polish rod construction in which the polish rod is strengthened by an attached sleeve providing a transverse should in a predetermined plane. The sleeve is shrink fit in place and mechanically adhered to withstand the stresses and shocks encountered in long-term cyclic operation. The device provides specific benefits for an improved sucker rod connection which prestresses the sucker rod pin ends and the coupling in a fashion to resist the development of microcracks and fatigue failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
  • Patent number: 7578037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fixing a tool (10, 22, 64), especially a shaft tool, in a clamping chuck (8, 18, 60), whereby the tool (10, 22, 64) is introduced into the clamping chuck (8, 18, 60) and fixed therein (8, 18, 60) upon reaching an axial nominal position. According to the invention, the tool (10, 22, 64) is brought against an abutment (42, 70) and the position of a characteristic element of the tool (10, 22, 64) is measured. The tool (10, 22, 64) is positioned in the axial nominal position by moving the abutment (42, 70) along a positioning section (Z1) calculated from the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: E. Zoller GmbH & Co., KG Einstell-und Messgeräte
    Inventor: Christian Pfau
  • Publication number: 20080292393
    Abstract: A semi-permanent retainer mechanism for securing a shaft within a component by forming a semi-permanent ridge on the shaft is provided. The mechanism includes a ring made from a heat shrinkable polymer that will heat shrink into a radial groove on the shaft. The heat shrinkable polymer of the ring has a release temperature wherein the ring shrinks in size when heated to a temperature above the release temperature. The ring has a pre-release size that is larger than the radial groove and a release size that is smaller than the outer circumference of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gilley
  • Patent number: 7143502
    Abstract: A submersible robotic pool cleaner is provided with an integral sealed rechargeable battery and an inductive charging assembly, a first portion of which is mounted in the pool cleaner housing and during the charging, receives a second separate portion that is connected by a cable to a conventional power source. The pump motor drive shaft is treated with a specialized anti-friction lubricant composition to minimize frictional energy losses where the shaft contacts the seal(s) and any shaft bearing(s), to maximize efficiency and minimize the power consumption of the pump motor assembly and permit the pool cleaner to completely traverse the surfaces to be cleaned within the fully-charged power capacity of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Aquatron, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Porat, Igor Fridman
  • Patent number: 7124490
    Abstract: A bushing can be anchored in a sheet steel blank for a cross beam for a vehicle chassis by inserting the bushing into a hole precisely provided in the steel blank, hot forming the steel blank in a die and hardening the hot formed shape steel body in the die. The cooling of the hardening step shrinks the sheet steel into a groove formed in the circumference of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Benteler Automobil Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Kellermeier
  • Patent number: 7096584
    Abstract: A flexible connector comprises a length of corrugated tubing, a polymeric sleeve aligned with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing, and a length of mesh tubing extending the entire length of corrugated tubing and over the polymeric sleeve. The distal end of the corrugated tubing, the polymeric sleeve, and the distal end of the length of mesh tubing are received in a sleeve which is formed integrally with an end piece. The sleeve is crimped into permanent retaining engagement with the length of corrugated tubing, the polymeric sleeve, and the length of mesh tubing. The end piece functions to secure the flexible connector into engagement with an adjacent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Flex-ing, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 6931709
    Abstract: A method of attaching a first member of one of quartz and a ceramic to a metal member. The method includes creating a hole in the metal member, the hole being smaller in size than the size of the first member over a temperature range, heating the metal member to a temperature sufficient to expand the hole to allow insertion of the first member in the hole, inserting a portion of the first member into the hole, and cooling the metal member to form a joined structure of the first member and the metal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Scintrex Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Hugill
  • Patent number: 6865791
    Abstract: A method of generating force between a structure and an additional member, particularly for reinforcing an existing structure so that an additional member can share existing load. Pre-cooled or pre-heated shims of shape memory alloy (SMA) are inserted between the additional member and the existing structure, or between different sub-units of the additional member, or between the additional member and shoes fixed for this purpose to the existing structure. On subsequent warming or cooling the SMA shims expand to apply compressive forces to the portions of the structure, additional member or shoe(s) with which they are in contact on their opposite sides. Further compressive, tensile, flexural or torsional forces will be developed within other parts of the structure and additional member as a result of the shim expansion depending on the particular arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: John Cook, Lakshman Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 6813819
    Abstract: A cylinder includes a substantially uniform wall thickness and a single potential leak point. A single uniform sheet of material is formed into the cylinder and includes a closed end and an open end. The open end includes a plurality of threads formed adjacent the open end having an interference fit with an adapter. The adapter is heated to a temperature greater than the cylinder to expand the adapter to a size allowing installation onto the threads of the cylinder. The adapter and cylinder are cooled and the threads of the adapter contract to tightly fit onto the threads of the cylinder and prevent removal of the adapter. The only potential leak point is then through the valve or other device receiving the contents of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas S. Siimes, Timo Siimes
  • Patent number: 6672786
    Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling a ceramic member to a metal member is comprised of a ceramic shaft portion attached to the ceramic member; a slotted shrink fitter formed of a first metal and disposed around and in torque transmitting contact with the ceramic shaft portion to define a first interface surface therebetween; and a sleeve formed of a second metal disposed around and in torque transmitting contact with the shrink fitter to define a second interface surface therebetween. Either the shrink fitter or the sleeve attached to the metal member. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the second metal is relatively low compared to that of the first metal and the diameters of the first interface, (d1), and the second interface, (d2), are determined from the equation, d1/d2=(&agr;c−&agr;1)/(&agr;2−&agr;1) where &agr;c, &agr;1 and &agr;2 are the coefficients of thermal expansion of the ceramic, the first metal and the second metal respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Bjoern Schenk
  • Publication number: 20030219303
    Abstract: A bicycle component assembly is provided that includes a mounting member and a component attachment member coupled together via at least one locking member and at least a pair of fasteners. The locking member is mounted between the component attachment member and the heads of the fasteners. The locking member includes a pair of attachment portions with holes extending between contact surfaces and frictionally treated engagement surfaces of the attachment portions. A connecting section extends between the engagement portions of the locking member. The frictionally treated engagement surfaces are textured surfaces and/or coated with a frictional material. The head portions of the fasteners abut the contact surfaces to press the locking member against the component attachment member. Preferably, the attachment portions have flange sections that are bent to prevent rotation of the fasteners. Optionally, the connecting portion of the locking member can include a frictionally treated engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nago, Keiji Matsueda
  • Patent number: 6595528
    Abstract: A chuck for the clamping of tools by shrink fit includes a chuck member which has a longitudinal section having a central receptacle with clamping surface for the insertion and holding of the tool to be clamped with its shank. The longitudinal section includes a plurality of segments arranged at distances from one another in the circumferential direction and separated from each other by clearances in between, the segments extending essentially axially parallel and forming the clamping surface with their inner peripheral areas. The segments are surrounded on the outside by a sleeve part. The segments are either in one piece with the sleeve part or, as separate structural elements, are a component of a mounted insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Bilz Werkzeugfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Voss
  • Patent number: 6511077
    Abstract: A clamping chuck for clamping tools by shrinkage has a chuck body provided with a receptacle for receiving a tool to be clamped with a tool shaft and having an end-side abutment surface for the insertable tool so that during insertion a rear-side shoulder of the tool axially abuts against the abutment surface and a ring element and axially supportable against the chuck body in an axial direction and provided with an abutment surface, the abutment surface of the ring element being located forwardly at an end axially adjoining the abutment surface of the chuck body, to be associated with the shoulder of the tool, for axial clamping of the inserted tool by means of the ring element with respect to the chuck body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Bilz Werkzeugfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Voss, Hans-Ruediger Steudte
  • Publication number: 20020180165
    Abstract: The invention describes a heat-shrink chuck for clamping tools by means of a shrink fit, having a chuck body (1), capable of being secured on the working spindle of a machine tool, in which a central receptacle (2) is configured for the shaft (3) of a tool that is to be clamped, which is characterized in that the central receptacle (2) is configured in noncircular fashion and has along its circumference multiple clamping regions, arranged spaced apart from one another and lying on a common diameter, by way of which the shaft (3) is clamped; and damping regions (5) of greater diameter are configured between the clamping regions (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Retzbach, Ralph Kersten
  • Patent number: 6488456
    Abstract: A slotting cutter and a method for constructing the slotting cutter. The slotting cutter is structurally divided into two portions, a central adapter portion and a cutter portion. The central adapter portion is a disk with an F-type or S-type adapter. The cutter portion is an annular ring provided with cutting insert receiving pockets, or cartridge receiving pockets. The cutter portion and a body portion are manufactured separately and combined to form the slotting cutter by a heat shrinkage method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Iscar Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Satran, Yaron Eisen
  • Patent number: 6488285
    Abstract: A hydraulic chuck includes a center bore for receiving a tool shank. At least one closed cavity is disposed in the chuck body adjacent the bore and extend circumferentially by a distance less than 360 degrees. The cavity containing device communicates with the medium for pressurizing the medium to radially deform and expand the bore wall from a normal diameter to a larger diameter to enable the tool shank to be moved into or from the bore. A depressurizing of the medium causes the bore wall to radially retract to the normal diameter for clamping the member in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sandvik Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Mats Allard
  • Patent number: 6431781
    Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling a ceramic member to a metal member is comprised of a ceramic shaft portion attached to the ceramic member; a slotted shrink fitter formed of a first metal and disposed around and in torque transmitting contact with the ceramic shaft portion to define a first interface surface therebetween; and a sleeve formed of a second metal disposed around and in torque transmitting contact with the shrink fitter to define a second interface surface therebetween. Either the shrink fitter or the sleeve attached to the metal member. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the second metal is relatively low compared to that of the first metal and the diameters of the first interface, (d1), and the second interface, (d2), are determined from the equation, d1/2=(&agr;c−&agr;1)/(&agr;−&agr;1) where &agr;c, &agr;1 and &agr;2 are the coefficients of thermal expansion of the ceramic, the first metal and the second metal respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bjoern Schenk
  • Patent number: 6394466
    Abstract: An end mill chucking structure for chucking an end mill having a relatively small diameter and used, for example, for deep milling of a die. The end mill chucking structure includes an end mill holder and an end mill. A holder body has a taper hole formed therein. The end mill includes an end mill body and a cutting tip provided at an end portion of the end mill body. A portion of the end mill body located opposite the cutting tip serves as a tapered shank portion. The shank portion and the rest of the end mill body are bounded by a shoulder extending outward from the surface of the shank portion. The shank portion is press-fitted or shrink-fitted into the taper hole such that the end face of the holder body abuts the shoulder of the end mill body, through application to the holder body of heat at a temperature lower than a conventional shrink-fitting temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Nikken Kosakusho Works Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Matsumoto, Masahiro Taguchi, Yusaku Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6390482
    Abstract: A tool assembly (10) comprising a male member (12) and a female member (14). The male member having a diameter D1 and being inserted into a variable diameter bore (28) in the front end of the female member (14). The variable diameter bore having a front end having a diameter D2 and a rear end having a diameter D3. In a non-assembled state of the tool assembly, D3 is greater than D2, and D1 is greater than D2 and greater than D3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: E.T.M. Precision Tool Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: Guy Hanoch
  • Patent number: 6339868
    Abstract: A cutting tool including a tool holding portion and a tool. The tool is configured to be inserted into a hole of the tool holding portion. The tool includes a tool main body, a guide portion, and a shoulder portion. The tool maim body has a tool outer diameter larger than the hole inner diameter of the hole when the tool holding portion is not heated. The guide portion is coaxially connected to the tool main body and configured to position the tool substantially coaxially with respect to the tool holding portion. The guide portion has a guide outer diameter smaller than the hole inner diameter of the hole so that the guide portion is inserted into the hole. The shoulder portion is formed between the tool main body and the guide portion so as to sit on a surface around the hole to support the tool when the guide portion is inserted into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiko Nagaya, Hiroshi Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20010041106
    Abstract: In an interference fit type cutting tool according to the present invention, a head section and a shank section are fitted together by shrinkage fitting. The shank section is provided with a shaft portion and a taper portion. The head section is provided with a hole portion to be fitted on the shaft portion, and a tapered portion to be fitted on the taper portion. The hole portion and the tapered portion have an interference, and the inner diameters thereof are smaller than the outer diameters of the shaft portion and the taper portion. Two-surface restraint is established by fixing the shaft portion and the hole portion, and the taper portion and the tapered portion with the interference pressure by shrinkage fitting. A key is formed on the leading end face of the-shaft portion, a key groove is formed in the bottom face of the hole portion, and the key and the key groove are fitted together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: nagaya
    Inventors: HIDEHIKO NAGAYA, HIROSHI SHIMOMURA, MASAYUKI OKAWA, KAZUYA YAMAZAKI, TAKAMASA SHIMANO
  • Patent number: RE38018
    Abstract: The present invention is generally characterized in an angled rotary tissue cutting instrument including an outer blade assembly, having a rigid tubular member with proximal and distal portions connected by a bead, and an inner blade assembly rotatably disposed within the outer blade assembly and including a tubular drive shaft at a proximal end, a cutting tip at a distal end, and a flexible coupling disposed between the drive shaft and the cutting tip. The drive shaft and cutting tip include neck portions which are disposed telescopically within proximal and distal ends of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie B. Anctil, Gary Peters