Longitudinally Splined Or Fluted Rod Patents (Class 403/359.1)
  • Patent number: 6524061
    Abstract: There is provided a steam-cooled gas turbine with a plurality of blades cooled by a steam supplied from an external steam source. The rotor of the steam-cooled gas turbine is composed of a plurality of rotor disks connected by a plurality of spindle bolt extending through the rotor disks. The rotor includes a steam supply passage extending in the rotor, a steam supply chamber for distributing the steam to the respective blades, a steam recovery chamber for equally receiving the steam used for cooling the blades, and a steam recovery passage for directing the steam from the steam recovery chamber to the outside of the steam-cooled gas turbine. A sealing member in the form of substantially a ring, for sealing the steam leakage between the rotor and the spindle bolts, is disposed about each of the spindle bolts. The rotor includes recesses, disposed coaxially with the respective spindle bolt holes, for receiving the sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuharu Hirokawa, Katsunori Tanaka, Kazuo Uematsu
  • Patent number: 6520703
    Abstract: A coupling with a tribological system that can withstand temperatures up to 600° C. The coupling includes a shaft having an outer surface with a layer of chromium and a sleeve for receiving the shaft. The sleeve has an inner surface with a layer of silver or gold. The silver or gold layer contacts the chromium layer to form the tribological system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Narasimhan, Thirumalai Palanisamy, Rodney Iverson
  • Patent number: 6514003
    Abstract: A shaft coupling structure includes: a span-ring (20) acting as a friction coupling of main power transmitting means between a drive shaft (7) as a shaft-side member and a brake center (18) as a boss-side member; and mechanical engaging means (30) as auxiliary power transmitting means provided adjacent to the span-ring (20) so as to engage the drive shaft (7) with the brake center (18) when the transmission of the rotary power by the span-ring (20) is insufficient. Accordingly, since the torque transmission is conducted by the mechanical engaging means (30) even when slippage is occurred in the span-ring (20), an optimal transmission torque can be ensured, thereby obtaining sufficient reliability of transmission torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Artec Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Horikawa
  • Patent number: 6514001
    Abstract: A variable length shaft is provided including a housing defining an internal space. A shaft is connected to a plunger device disposed in said internal space. The internal space is filled with magneto-rheological fluid which is selectively provided with a magnetic field for solidifying the fluid to prevent movement of the plunger within the internal space. When the magnetic field is removed, the plunger device moves freely for allowing variation in the length of the variable length shaft system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Grigory Yezersky, Gerald Cilibraise
  • Publication number: 20020182002
    Abstract: The 2004R Stock Intermediate Shaft Forward Drum is one of the parts in a 2004R Automatic Transmission. The factory Forward Drum is too weak for high performance or heavy duty uses. The factory Drum Shaft is removed and replaced with a Shaft made from a stronger metal. The NEW Shaft also has a collar added to one end for added strength and stability. The NEW Shaft is then welded into the Drum using a specific welding process. This process utilizes a special laser to do the welding and is performed in a vacuum-sealed receptacle. The holes around the Drum are enlarged to allow better oil circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Bruce Andrew Toelle
  • Publication number: 20020172551
    Abstract: A tube connector for securing to an end of an internally splined tube for enabling said tube to be secured to another member, and suitable for joining tubes of a handrail or balustrade, comprises an outer location section comprising a radially outwardly facing surface provided with splined formations to engage with splined formations within an internally splined tube, a retention bush formation provided at a position substantially aligned with the major axis of said radially outwardly facing surface, said bush formation comprising an aperture for location of connection means, and a radially extending intermediate section which extends between and is integral with said retention bush formation and outer location section whereby said retention bush formation is fixedly positioned radially relative to said outer location section. A method of forming the assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: John Greaves
  • Publication number: 20020168222
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical connection for transmitting torque, demonstrating a common longitudinal axis a shaft rotating around the longitudinal axis and a hub coaxial to the shaft, its inside contour surrounding the shaft via a slaving section, wherein in the area of the slaving section, the shaft and the inside contour of the hub comprise of at least one retaining section with out-of-round cross section for transmitting torque. In the region of the slaving section, at least one of the shaft or the hub demonstrates at least two retaining sections angularly displaced to each other around the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Simons, Thomas Svensson
  • Publication number: 20020164207
    Abstract: A servo-member comprises: a rigid body having first and second opposed planar surfaces; a moderate protruding member formed on the first surface; a first bore through the moderate protruding member, said first bore having a first diameter including a splined portion terminating adjacent an annular seat; a hub in the second surface, said hub forming a second bore, the second bore separated from the first bore by said annular seat, said annular seat having an opening formed to connect the first bore with said second bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jerry Bien
  • Publication number: 20020159827
    Abstract: A spline connection is provided between a first part and a second part wherein a first set of internal splines is formed on an inner cylindrical surface of the first part and a second set of internal splines is formed on an inner cylindrical surface of the second part. Also included is a connector sleeve having first and second sets of external splines formed thereon. The connector sleeve is slideable between a pre-assembly position located fully within the second part and a fully assembled position in which a section of the connector sleeve is located in the first part and another section is located in the second part so that the first set of external splines engage the first set of internal splines and the second set of external splines engage the second set of internal splines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: David Todd Bentley
  • Patent number: 6457743
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle comprises a steering shaft (12) rotatable about a first axis (B) and an activatable lock (18) operatively coupled with the steering shaft for preventing rotation of the steering shaft. The lock (18) is deactivated by a key (19). A vehicle steering wheel (20) includes a hub portion (130) and is non-rotatably connected to the steering shaft (12) by the hub portion for joint rotation with the steering shaft. The apparatus (10) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (70) attached to the steering wheel (20). A movable member (200) blocks axial movement of the steering wheel (20) relative to the steering shaft (12). A housing (160) encircles a portion of the steering shaft (12) and the hub portion (130). The housing (16) includes at least one opening (194).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Steffens, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020110415
    Abstract: A tapered spline 16 which allows members 12, 14 to be selectively coupled and which further allows energy to be selectively communicated by and between these members 12, 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: William Edmunds Dowling, David Joe Sell, Perry Edward Phelan, Kin Sang Yeung
  • Patent number: 6430891
    Abstract: A construction element has at least one coupling device and the coupling device has at least two prongs. Each prong is comprised of two radially extending mating surfaces which frictionally engage the radially extending surfaces of a mating coupling device. The construction device may have a straight shaft or an angled shaft to accommodate the needs of the user and, furthermore, the prongs of a coupling device may be inserted within mateable apertures in the shaft of another construction element. Using a plurality of such construction elements, a lattice frame may be constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 6431786
    Abstract: An intermediate sleeve (30) to be rigidly connected to the end of the motor shaft (11) is provided, having an inner surface (32) of frusto-conical shape adapted to fit the frusto-conical surface (12) of the motor shaft (11), and a cylindrical outer surface (31), and having at least one rib (33), projecting radially from the cylindrical outer surface (31) and positioned to the side thereof; the end of the pump shaft (21) possesses an axial cavity (22) having a cylindrical surface (23) adapted to engage as an exact fit the outer surface (31) of the sleeve (30), and has at least one projecting axial element (25), arranged to lie axially alongside said rib (33) of the intermediate sleeve (30), and to interfere therewith during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Annovi Reverberi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Fabbri, Maurizio Magri
  • Patent number: 6413008
    Abstract: A connecting assembly at a driveshaft between the driveshaft and a wheel hub, having end toothing of an outer joint part of a constant velocity joint of the driveshaft, which outer joint part is at the wheel hub end, and having end toothing of the wheel hub, wherein the end toothings are axially inserted into one another and circumferentially engage one another in a play-free way and wherein the teeth of the end toothings each comprise radially outwardly opening circumferential grooves which are delimited by two flanks and which, jointly, form a circumferentially extending annular groove in which, on the outside, there is arranged a securing ring; as well as a connecting assembly at a driveshaft between the driveshaft and a shaft flange, having end toothing of an outer joint part of a constant velocity joint of the driveshaft, which outer joint part is at the shaft flange end, and having end toothing of the shaft flange, wherein the end toothings are axially inserted into one another and circumferentially eng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude van Dest, Werner Krude
  • Patent number: 6406374
    Abstract: A groove is cut into an end surface of a shaft component to deform the shaft component into irregularities provided on a tubular component, thereby coupling the shaft component with the tubular component to form an outer ring for a constant velocity joint. This type of joint provides an outer ring having a strong coupling force and high coupling precision. The irregularities are preferably in the form of a spline cut in a portion of an inner perimeter surface of the tubular component, at a location where coupling of the tubular component with the shaft component is desired. The spline optionally includes a notch which provided additional coupling strength, especially in the shaft direction. The tubular component is shaped by pressing the inner surface of the tubular component into a mandrel having an outer surface shape of the desired inner surface shape of the tubular component. Hydraulic pressure is used to supply the force to press the material onto the mandrel to form the tubular component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Aida Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanobu Kanamaru, Nobuyuki Ishinaga, Kazuto Kobayashi, Akira Matsumura
  • Patent number: 6390925
    Abstract: A retainer assembly is provided for attaching a splined shaft with a splined hub. The retainer assembly is particularly useful in a constant velocity joint to attach the halfshaft with an inner hub (either an inner race or spider assembly). The retainer comprises specifically designed grooves at the outboard end of the splined shaft and splined bore of the hub. The grooves are located outside of the splined area. A retaining ring is also provided. The retaining ring has a specific geometry that includes a pair of opposing legs that are integrally connected to provide a v-shaped cross section and are flexible with respect to one another. The first of the legs of the retaining ring engages the groove on the shaft and the second of the legs engages the groove on the hub to prevent relative axial movement between the shaft and the hub when in the retained position. A method of assembling the retainer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Jay Perrow
  • Patent number: 6386066
    Abstract: A variable stroke crankshaft assembly includes a drive shaft surrounded by a sleeve. A crankshaft is disposed inside the drive shaft with the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. A gear projecting outwardly from the crankshaft through a window in a drive shaft engages angled gear teeth on the inner surface of the sleeve allowing sliding movement of the sleeve relative to the drive shaft to rotate the crankshaft. A crankpin is attached to the crankshaft but offset from the rotational axis of the crankshaft. Rotational movement of the crankshaft with respect to the drive shaft thus pivots the crankpin with respect to the rotational axis of the drive shaft creating a crank stroke that may be varied by sliding the sleeve back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Allen M. Shotwell
  • Patent number: 6382624
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting a torque from a drive shaft for a component of a printing machine to a hollow body surrounding the drive shaft, includes a coupling configuration. The coupling configuration is formed through the use of driver elements, engages in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the drive shaft and couples the latter to the hollow body. In order to use such an apparatus for torques which are not constant, according to a first variant, the coupling configuration includes a coupling ring surrounding the drive shaft, a first subgroup of driver elements coupling the drive shaft to the coupling ring, and a second subgroup of driver elements coupling the coupling ring to the hollow body. According to a second variant, the driver elements couple the drive shaft directly to the hollow body and are resilient in an at least substantially radial direction and in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft, relative to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Carsten Kelm, Bernhard Buck, Manfred Gross
  • Publication number: 20020041791
    Abstract: 3 A connecting element comprises (i) sleeve, (ii) bearing element and (iii) core, where (ii) has in each case an interlocking connection on the outer surface of (ii) with (i) and on the inner surface of (ii) with (iii).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Frank Friedrich, Thomas Burlage
  • Publication number: 20020025219
    Abstract: A shaft coupling structure includes: a span-ring (20) acting as a friction coupling of main power transmitting means between a drive shaft (7) as a shaft-side member and a brake center (18) as a boss-side member; and mechanical engaging means (30) as auxiliary power transmitting means provided adjacent to the span-ring (20) so as to engage the drive shaft (7) with the brake center (18) when the transmission of the rotary power by the span-ring (20) is insufficient. Accordingly, since the torque transmission is conducted by the mechanical engaging means (30) even when slippage is occurred in the span-ring (20), an optimal transmission torque can be ensured, thereby obtaining sufficient reliability of transmission torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: KOMATSU ARTEC LTD.
    Inventor: Seiichi Horikawa
  • Patent number: 6347529
    Abstract: An auger type ice making machine including an upright cylindrical evaporator housing, an auger mounted for rotary movement within the evaporator housing to scrape off ice crystals formed on an internal freezing surface of the evaporator housing and having a lower end portion drivingly connected to an upper end portion of an output shaft of a drive mechanism, wherein the lower end portion of the auger is in the form of either a columnar portion or a cylindrical portion, while the upper portion of the output shaft is in the form of either a cylindrical portion or a columnar portion, and wherein the columnar portion of the auger or output shaft is coupled within the cylindrical portion of the output shaft or auger for drive connection between the output shaft and the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20020003985
    Abstract: A driven tool includes a driven part which is rotatably driven by a drive part. The driven part and the drive part are coaxially arranged one inside of the other. The drive part and the driven part are conical as viewed in a longitudinal section plane containing the axis. The driven part includes driven teeth projecting generally radially with respect to the axis and received in respective radially-open recesses formed in the drive part. Each of the driven teeth makes contact with a wall of the respective recess at first and second contact places which are respectively situated on opposite sides of a generally radial line of symmetry of the driven tooth. The contact places are operable to transmit a drive force from the drive part to the driven part in respective directions of rotation. A driving angle in the range of −5° to +45° is formed at each contact place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Per Hansson, Sture Sjoo
  • Patent number: 6327934
    Abstract: A front-axle output of an automatic transmission having situated in a sealed housing (15) a front-axle spur pinion (1) which is operatively connected via an intermediate gear (4) with a driving gear. The output spur gear (1) is also connected for transmitting a torque to a differential (5) with a co-axially positioned pinion shaft (3A) which has one pinion engaged with the differential (5). The output spur gear (1) is designed as one piece with a side shaft (2) which is connected with the pinion shaft (3A) in an area of low bending stress between a support (10) of the pinion (3) and the pinion shaft (3A) and an output spur gear support (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Lothar Barthel
  • Patent number: 6315671
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising a side shaft journal and a joint component of a CV-jointed shaft, and a method of making the same. The assembly provides a side shaft journal (31) for a differential gear, comprising an inner end which can be inserted into the differential gear, said inner end having an outer toothing (33) and a ring groove (23) for receiving a locking ring (24) by means of which the inner end can be removably connected to a side shaft wheel (25) of the differential gear. Said side shaft journal also comprises an outer end which can be connected to a joint component (41) of a universal-joint drive shaft, said outer end having a toothing (32) and formed elements (33, 34, 40) for receiving axial securing elements, which can be non-destructively removed, for the joint component. The shaft journal (31) is configured as a hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Löbro GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Bilz
  • Patent number: 6244842
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a pump mechanism having a driven shaft. The driven shaft is connected to an input shaft by a flexible coupling such as a splined connection. A housing extends completely around the driven shaft, and a high-pressure seal is disposed between the housing and the input shaft. A thrust bearing carries hydraulic axial forces on the input shaft to the housing. This arrangement provides balanced hydraulic forces on both ends of the driven shaft, thereby reducing friction and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: James B. Tieben
  • Patent number: 6238133
    Abstract: An anti-rotation mounting mechanism is provided between an indexable insert and an insert-receiving pocket in the body of a machine tool, such as a milling cutter. The mechanism includes a plurality of curved stop surfaces uniformly disposed around the side surface of the insert, a portion of which is obliquely oriented with respect to the side surface of the insert, and at least one anti-rotation surface in the pocket of the tool body having a shape substantially complementary to that of the stop surfaces for forming an interference joint between the pocket and the insert. Both the stop surfaces and the anti-rotation surface are substantially defined by partial radius curves such that either a broad, line-type or lenticular contact between the anti-rotation surface and the obliquely oriented portion of one of the stop surfaces is achieved. The mechanism effectively prevents rotation between the insert and pocket without the formation of point-type, localized stresses which can chip or break the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kennametal PC Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth G. DeRoche, Jeffrey E. Hartshorn, Robert T. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6234907
    Abstract: Utilizing the quick disconnect driveshaft transmission yoke of the present invention, just a ½ turn of 4 lock nuts on a pair of split lock collars frees a splined slider from its fixed engagement with an external (male) splined output transmission shaft and allows the splined slider to slide rearward within yoke. The splined slider slides rearward within the yoke until the splined slider slides free of the external (male) splined output transmission shaft. The yoke, which has also been freed from the locking engagement of the split lock collars, then drops free and clear of the external (male) splined output transmission shaft. The transmission can then be slid back and the transmission bell housing removed to service the clutch, all without unbolting the driveshaft from either the differential or the yoke. The freeing of a transmission from a driveshaft transmission yoke utilizing the quick disconnect driveshaft transmission yoke of the present invention takes mere seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Greg Moser Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg A. Moser