Coupling Accommodates Drive Between Members Having Misaligned Or Angularly Related Axes Patents (Class 464/106)
  • Patent number: 11668306
    Abstract: A system for use in a scroll compressor is described. The system comprises a crankshaft with a first end portion, wherein the crankshaft defines an axis of rotation, and slider block having a recess, wherein the first end portion of the crankshaft and the recess in the slider block are configured for connecting the slider block to the first end portion. The first end portion of the crankshaft comprises a first flat contact surface portion and the recess of the slider block comprises a second flat contact surface portion, the first and second contact surface portions facing each other when the first end portion is connected to the slider block. The system is characterized in that at least one of the flat contact surface portions comprises a slit beneath the at least one flat contact surface portion. Further, a corresponding slider block and a corresponding crankshaft are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Xiaogeng Su, Jesús Ángel Nohales Herraiz, Linus Dellweg, Laurence Grosjean, Vinod Arun Kokate
  • Patent number: 11613283
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a running gear with a mount for a brake linkage on a bogie, wherein the mount has a long service life and requires little maintenance. The transmission of shocks and vibrations between the brake linkage and the bogie is reduced, and the bogie and the brake linkage are electrically insulated from each other. A running gear for a rail vehicle including a bogie and a brake linkage is proposed, having at least one bearing element. The brake linkage is mounted on the bogie and/or is connected to the bogie by means of the at least one bearing element, and the at least one bearing element has a plastic and/or consists of a plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT WITTEN GMBH
    Inventor: Sebastian Montua
  • Patent number: 11331791
    Abstract: A 3 DOFs decoupling spherical parallel mechanism provided by the present disclosure comprises: a fixed platform, a rotation assembly, a moving platform, a first arc kinematic chain, a second arc kinematic chain, a first arc rod, and a second arc rod. In the 3 DOFs decoupling spherical parallel mechanism, the rotation assembly can drive the moving platform to rotate by 360 degrees around a direction being perpendicular to the fixed platform, and the first arc rod and the second arc rod reciprocate along tangential directions of the first arc kinematic chain and of the second arc kinematic chain respectively to enable the moving platform to rotate around an axis of a plane where the first arc kinematic chain or the second arc kinematic chain is located. In this way, the rotations of the moving platform in three directions are respectively driven by driving units in three directions and being independent from each other, such that the three rotation actions of the mechanism have decoupling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Guoru Zhao, Yongfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11298814
    Abstract: A link actuation device includes a proximal-end-side link hub, a distal-end-side link hub, three or more link mechanisms each coupling the link hubs such that a posture of the distal-end-side link hub can be changed relative to the proximal-end-side link hub. Each link mechanism includes a proximal-side end link member, a proximal-side intermediate link member, a distal-side intermediate link member, and a distal-side end link member. Actuators for arbitrarily changing the posture and a distance from the distal-end-side link hub to the proximal-end-side link hub are provided to three or more link mechanisms of the three or more link mechanisms. A control unit calculates a rotation angle of the proximal-side end link member according to a targeted posture of the distal-end-side link hub and a targeted distance between the centers of the spherical links, and controls the respective actuators so as to attain the calculated rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Naoki Marui, Seigo Sakata, Kenzou Nose
  • Patent number: 11131338
    Abstract: A coupling (1) for connecting a linear drive (2) to a linearly guided slide element (3) having a coupling center piece (4), a ball joint (5) and a sliding joint (6). The ball joint (5) and the sliding joint (6) are arranged on opposite sides of the coupling (1). The ball joint (5) has a joint head (7) and a joint head socket (8), and the sliding joint (6) has a joint head (9) and a joint head socket (10). The joint head socket (8) of the ball joint (5) and/or the joint head socket (10) of the sliding joint (6) has/have a socket space (11, 12) which is open, at least on one side, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (L) of the coupling (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX FEINBAU GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dominic Gruss, Thorsten Nolda
  • Patent number: 10661398
    Abstract: A link actuator includes a proximal end side link hub, a distal end side link hub, and link mechanisms which connect the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub. Each of the link mechanisms includes a proximal side end link member, a distal side end link member, and an intermediate link member. Each of the proximal end side link hub and the distal end side link hub is provided with a through-hole which allows an origin positioning shaft to be inserted therethrough. The distal end posture of the link actuator is set to a specified posture by inserting the origin positioning shaft through the through-holes. An amount of operation of actuators in a state where preload is applied to the link actuator is set as a position of an origin of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Hiroyuki Yamada, Keisuke Sone
  • Patent number: 10569393
    Abstract: An attachment includes a planetary reducer, a reaction force receiving member, and a universal joint. The planetary reducer has a first output shaft and a second output shaft connectable to a socket. The reaction force receiving member is connected to the first output shaft and has an arm part for contact with an external contact object. The universal joint has an input-side end part connectable to a final output shaft of a fastening tool and an output-side end part connected to the planetary reducer. The reaction force receiving member is configured to rotate integrally with the first output shaft in a direction opposite to the second output shaft by a reaction force caused by rotation of the socket. The universal joint is configured to transmit the torque inputted from the final output shaft via the input-side end part, to the planetary reducer via the output-side end part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Naoi, Takashi Nakane, Hiroki Ikuta
  • Patent number: 10443660
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint having driving and driven pivot arm segments coupled together with a pivotal bearing element provides high power density transmission through a large dynamic angle. The constant velocity joint may be configured for axial movement, such as a plunge capability, or may be a fixed center joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Harris Dynamics
    Inventor: Trevor L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10293919
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flight control device (1) for an aircraft, comprising: —a housing (2), —a handle (4) mounted rotating relative to the housing (2) about a center of rotation (O), —a first drive shaft (31), a second drive shaft (32) and a third drive shaft (33), the drive shafts (31-33) being mounted rotating relative to the housing (2) about a same axis of rotation (X), —a first connecting part (34) mounted pivoting on the first shaft (31) about a first axis of rotation (A1), and on the handle (4) about a fourth axis of rotation (B1), —a second connecting part (35) mounted pivoting on the second shaft (32) about a second axis of rotation (A2), and on the handle (4) about a fifth axis of rotation (B2), —a third connecting part (36) mounted pivoting on the third shaft (33) about a third axis of rotation (A3), and on the handle (4) about a sixth axis of rotation (B3), the first axis of rotation (A1), the second axis of rotation (A2) and the third axis of rotation (A3) intersecting at the center of rotati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS AND DEFENSE
    Inventor: Oleg Gomolko
  • Patent number: 10123808
    Abstract: A surgical torque-transferring instrument includes a preferably universal handpiece to which a handpiece shaft having an internal torsion rod or an internal tool shaft can be connected. The torsion rod can be connected to a torque transmission train or drive within the handpiece via a plug-type coupling which includes a male and female coupling piece which can be axially plugged into each other. The cross-sectional shape of the two coupling pieces approximately corresponds to a four-leaved cloverleaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Barth, Florian Kraft
  • Patent number: 10087981
    Abstract: A joint connector ring includes a connector body formed as a hollow cylinder defining a hollow surrounding a connector opening, and an annular groove formed in a top surface of the cylindrical connector body as a trench running circumferentially around the cylindrical connector body and having an approximately constant depth within the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Benthien, Andreas Poppe
  • Patent number: 9976603
    Abstract: A parallel link mechanism includes a proximal end side link hub; a distal end side link hub; and three or more link mechanisms that connect the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub in a position-changeable fashion. Each of the link mechanisms has a trinodal structure. Each revolute pair of each of the link mechanisms includes one pair of pair constituent members connected to each other via a bearing. One of the pair constituent members is formed with a shaft portion fitted to an inner periphery of an inner ring of the bearing, and the other of the pair constituent members is formed with an annular inner face forming portion fitted to an outer periphery of an outer ring of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Sone, Hiroshi Isobe, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 9752718
    Abstract: A joint apparatus with two degrees of freedom and a large range of singularity-free motion is provided including a first support, a second support, a pivot coupled between the first and second supports for allowing the second support to tilt in first and second directions relative to the first support, a first linkage coupled between the first and second supports for tilting the second support in the first direction relative to the first support, and a second linkage coupled between the first and second supports for tilting the second support in the second direction relative to the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Wittig
  • Patent number: 9746037
    Abstract: A link actuating device includes input side and output side link hubs, and two sets of link mechanisms. Each of the link mechanisms is a three-link-chain link mechanism including four revolute pairs, and includes input side and output side end links rotatably connected to the input side and output side link hubs and an intermediate links rotatably connected to input side and output side end links. The link mechanism have a positional relationship in which the revolute pair axes between the link hubs and the end links are located on the same plane and cross each other. At least one of the two sets of link mechanisms is provided with interlocking unit that interlocks the input side end link and the output side end link to each other so as to be rotationally displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Sone, Hirokazu Ooba, Arito Matsui, Hiroki Mukai
  • Patent number: 9096258
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering assembly comprises a gearbox housing (20), an output shaft (23), a wheel gear assembly (22) comprising a hub (21) which is fixed to the output shaft by a locating means so as to prevent relative rotational and axial movement between the hub and the output shaft and a gear wheel fixed to the hub, at least one support bearing assembly (25,26) which supports the output shaft relative to the gearbox housing (20), a worm gear which engages the wheel gear (22), and a coupling for transmission of torque from the output shaft to an intermediate shaft that is external to the gearbox housing. The coupling includes a fixing part (31) which is fixed to the output shaft (23) through the gear assembly and the support bearing assembly is provided on the opposite side of the gear assembly (22) to the coupling (31) such that the gear assembly (22) is overhung from the portion of the output shaft supported by the bearings (25,26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wilkes, Guillaume Laudijois
  • Publication number: 20150126291
    Abstract: A universal joint may comprise a first joint member terminating in either a first pair of cones or a first pair of cone slices, wherein apical ends of said first pair of cones or first pair of cone slices form first and second sockets, the first and second sockets facing each other; a second joint member terminating in either a second pair of cones or a second pair of cone slices, wherein apical ends of said second pair of cones or second pair of cone slices form third and fourth sockets, the third and further sockets facing each other; a coupler fitted into the first, second, third and fourth sockets, wherein torque is transmitted directly between the first joint member and the second joint member via side walls of the two pairs of cones or cone slices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Nimrod EITAN
  • Publication number: 20150105164
    Abstract: A mounting structure of a drive-shaft includes: a shaft; a housing; a spring guide slidably disposed inside the housing having one end facing the shaft; and a spring with one end supported by a spring guide and the other end supported by the housing, in which a transmission has a companion flange with a cup-shaped coupling portion at an end, so when the housing enters the coupling portion, an elastic force of the spring biases the housing into the coupling portion. Since a fixing bolt is not used, it is possible to quickly assemble and disassemble the drive-shaft in maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung-Su Yoo, Won-Jun Choi
  • Patent number: 8919308
    Abstract: A clutch shaft for a camshaft controller having at each of two ends (30, 31) thereof a rotating joint which equalizes the angle between the axes. An actuator for controlling a camshaft adjustment transmission includes a clutch shaft for controlling the camshaft adjustment transmission to the actuator via a first rotating joint which equalizes the angle between the axes which is coupled in a region of the actuator which faces away from the adjustment transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Felix Kuffner
  • Publication number: 20140378235
    Abstract: An articulated shaft for an amphibian driveline includes at least two shaft portions and at least three points of articulation, wherein the articulated shaft is movable between a protracted position for use of the amphibian on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibian on water. An amphibian comprising the articulated shaft, and a powertrain comprising the articulated shaft is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Neil Graham Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20140348538
    Abstract: A rotation driving force transmitting member is disposed between a motor section and a main body of a photoreceptor drum. The rotation driving force transmitting member has a convex member which is provided on the photoreceptor drum side and includes a twisted convex portion with an elliptical cross-section and a concave member which is provided on the motor section side and includes a twisted concave portion with an elliptical cross-section, the concave portion being fitted in the convex portion. The rotation driving force transmitting member transmits rotation driving force by the motor section to the photoreceptor drum via the convex member and the concave member in a state where the convex member is subjected to a drawing force toward the concave member side, due to rotation of the motor section in a state where the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted in each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi SUGIMURA, Akihiro KONDOH, Akiko KIHARA, Mami ADACHI
  • Publication number: 20140230597
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an intermediate shaft for a steering column assembly of a vehicle is provided. The intermediate shaft includes a shaft element, a universal joint coupling including an inner yoke coupled to the shaft element and an outer yoke coupled to the inner yoke, and at least one of a bearing and a lock sleeve coupled to the outer yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20140228135
    Abstract: A grease composition which provides, in the working range of 150° C. to ?40° C., an enhanced temperature control performance, a reduced low-temperature rotational torque and an improved boot resistance; and a constant velocity joint wherein the grease composition is filled; are provided. A grease composition for a constant velocity joint comprising the following components (A) to (E): (A) a base oil containing 10 to 95% by mass of an ester synthetic oil produced from an aliphatic alcohol and an aromatic carboxylic acid and 90 to 5% by mass of a synthetic hydrocarbon oil; (B) a thickener; (C) molybdenum disulfide; (D) molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate e; and (E) zinc dithiophosphate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: KYODO YUSHI CO., LTD., NTN Corporation
    Inventors: SHINYA KONDO, Akira Taniguchi, Ko Tanimura, Shinichi Takabe, Takaaki Shibata, Shinya Chuujou
  • Publication number: 20140179448
    Abstract: A downhole submersible pumping system includes an adapter for use in connecting a first component to a second component within the downhole pumping system. The adapter preferably includes an upstream section configured for connection to the first component and a downstream section configured for connection to the second component. The adapter further includes an articulating joint that permits the angular movement of the first component with respect to the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Collins, Aaron Noakes
  • Publication number: 20140165756
    Abstract: An articulating surgical instrument is disclosed, and includes an end effector and a drive assembly operably coupled with the end effector. The end effector includes a first drive shaft defining a first axis, and a second drive shaft operably engaged with and extending away from the first drive shaft. The second drive shaft is operably coupled with the end effector and defines a second axis, the second axis different from the first axis. The first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are pivotably arranged such that the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are configured to transition between a first, substantially straight arrangement and a second, substantially perpendicular arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Ernest Aranyi, Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Publication number: 20140115857
    Abstract: Provided are a clamping method and a clamping device that enable automatic mount and fixation of a boot to a constant velocity universal joint with a band. A boot band (11) for fixing a boot (10) that is mounted to a constant velocity universal joint (S) is clamped. The boot band (11) and the constant velocity universal joint (S) are aligned in phase with each other in a circumferential direction, and an axial position of a clamping portion (13) of clamping means (12) is thereafter aligned with an axial position of the boot band (11). Then, the boot band (11) is clamped by the clamping means (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hatano, Nao Ishiyama, Shinya Inui, Yuuki Ogata
  • Patent number: 8673092
    Abstract: An outer member of a constant velocity universal joint suppresses occurrences of cracking in a joining portion and has stable quality. The outer member includes a cup section having track grooves formed therein, and a shaft section having one end coupled to a bottom portion of the cup section. By joining members having different carbon contents and performing induction hardening on the members, a hardening heat-affected portion affected by the induction hardening, a hardening heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the induction hardening, a joining heat-affected portion affected by heat generated during the joining, and a joining heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the heat generated during the joining are formed. A martensitic structure is eliminated from the hardening heat-unaffected portion of the high carbon content member and is the joining heat-affected portion at an end portion including a joining end surface that is to be joined to the low carbon content member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Morimoto, Kazuhiko Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140066248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive device for a vehicle with an electric motor, for which at least a drive motor is utilized as a drive source, and the drive motor and a drive wheel are connected by means of a constant velocity universal joint. The drive device is provided with a drive motor. A drive shaft is connected to the drive motor via an inboard joint. The inboard joint is housed at the inner periphery section of the drive motor. An outer cup, a constituent of the inboard joint, is provided with a guide race on the inner periphery section in order for a roller member to slide. The outer periphery section of the outer cup is rotatably supported by the inner periphery section of the drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Ochi, Takashi Ito, Junichi Suto, Masaru Suzuki, Kenta Komuro
  • Publication number: 20130306801
    Abstract: An airfoil surface control system includes a movable surface. An actuator is coupled to the surface. The airfoil surface control system includes a motor. A torque tube assembly operatively couples the motor and actuator and includes first and second shafts coupled by a universal joint. The universal joint is configured to provide a first maximum angle between the first and second shafts. A stop is configured to provide a second maximum angle between the first and second shafts that is less than the first maximum angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: David G. Hill
  • Patent number: 8550431
    Abstract: A shaft connection is provided between a first shaft and a second shaft, the first shaft having a longitudinal axis about which the first shaft can be rotated. The first shaft has a free end which engages into a coupling part which can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the second shaft. The free end of the first shaft is provided with an external profile which engages releasably into an internal profile of the coupling part. The external profile and/or the internal profile are/is configured in each case as a dihedron with two side surfaces which extend substantially parallel to one another. At least one side surface of the external profile and/or one side surface of the internal profile are/is configured in a convex manner in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft and/or the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Joerg Wisser
  • Publication number: 20130237331
    Abstract: An arrangement with a joint and a gearwheel body for a transmission is provided in which the joint is a constant velocity joint arranged at least partially in an interior space enclosed by the gearwheel body. The constant velocity joint has inner and outer hub tracks and a bearing cage arranged to maintain an essentially constant control angle between tangential ball contact points with the inner and outer tracks while the bearing cage holds the balls in a plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander EBERT, Martin LEHMANN, Tobias ROSER, Thomas ETZOLD, Tim BENZ
  • Publication number: 20130228957
    Abstract: A deep-grooved ball bearing including a rolling contact member formed of a sintered ?-sialon inexpensive and capable of reliably ensuring sufficient durability includes an outer ring and an inner ring, and a plurality of balls arranged in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring on an annular raceway. The ball is configured of a sintered body that contains as a main component a ?-sialon represented by a compositional formula of Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z and satisfying 0.1?z?3.5 and has a remainder formed of an impurity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Katsutoshi MURAMATSU
  • Patent number: 8506413
    Abstract: A rotary connector, comprises an annular rotary body inserted outside a steering shaft and integrally rotated with a steering wheel, a rotator of a steering angle sensor inserted outside the steering shaft; and a tubular joint inserted outside the steering shaft and connecting the rotary body to the rotator; wherein the rotary body and the joint are connected together by a first universal joint, and the joint and the rotator are connected together by a second universal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Norihito Suzuki, Hideki Adachi, Tsutomu Sawada
  • Publication number: 20130133486
    Abstract: The bending mechanism of hand tool of the present invention includes a body and a bending portion. A working portion is formed at one end of the body, and a holding portion is formed at the other end of the body. The bending portion is disposed between the working portion and the holding portion and includes a pivot trough and a pivot end which is arranged in the pivot trough. The pivot trough has a trough opening and a limiting structure. The pivot end is able to move between a first position and a second position. The pivot end is unable to bend pivotally at the first position, but is able bend pivotally at the second position. The hand tool of the present invention includes the bending mechanism and a ratchet wheel head connected with the working portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Hui-Chien CHEN
  • Patent number: 8353776
    Abstract: A universal ball joint includes a first pivotal body and a second pivotal body rotatably assembled with the first pivotal body. The first pivotal body includes a substantially elliptical ball head and a connecting portion extending out from the ball head. The ball head has a major axis and a minor axis substantially perpendicular to the major axis. The second pivotal body defines a substantially elliptical ball socket rotatably engaging with the ball head of the first pivotal body such that the ball head may rotate around the major axis or the minor axis of the ball head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guo-Qing Zhang, Zhi-Ming Zhao
  • Publication number: 20120312600
    Abstract: A rotary joint for use in directional control of a subterranean rotary steerable drilling apparatus. The rotary joint is formed by mated spherical-shaped sockets, each of which is connected with a hollow rod. By virtue of this arrangement, a continuous passageway is provided for fluid to flow through the rotary joint, which fluid may be used for cooling the rotary joint during operation of the rotary steerable drilling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Hamid Ali ABBASI
  • Publication number: 20120270665
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting arrangement for the rotationally fixed connection of components in the drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a shaft journal (4) and a hub (7) of an articulation (5), which has a central opening for receiving the shaft journal (4), wherein the shaft journal (4) can be axially fixed in the hub (7), for example by a retaining ring (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BF NEW TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Claus Disser
  • Publication number: 20120211125
    Abstract: Provided are a hollow shaft capable of increasing a static torsional strength and torsional fatigue strength of a small diameter portion (small diameter portion having a smooth outer peripheral surface) formed near a spline at an end portion of the hollow shaft, and capable of reducing cost, and a constant velocity universal joint using the hollow shaft. A hollow shaft (1) is molded by plastic working from a tubular blank, and subjected to quench hardening treatment. The quench hardening treatment includes carburizing and quenching treatment. The hollow shaft (1) includes a softened section (M) formed in a part of the hollow shaft (1) by local heating treatment after carrying out the carburizing and quenching treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yoshida, Mukai Hiroki, Hirokazu Ooba
  • Publication number: 20120196689
    Abstract: A coupling device for transmitting torque between an input shaft and an output shaft have respective opposing ends, includes a male element and a female element for engaging with one another. One of the input shaft and the output shaft includes, at the end, the male element, a cross-section of which has a generally polygonal outer shape. The other of the input shaft and the output shaft includes, at the end, the female element, a cross-section of which has a generally polygonal inner shape complementary to the polygonal outer shape of the male element. The male and female elements engage with one another by meshing with a first functional play between them, and the male element and the shaft on which the male element is mounted have a second functional play between them. The male element and the shaft engage each other by meshing with the second functional play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: EXOSUN
    Inventor: François Paponneau
  • Publication number: 20120184380
    Abstract: A power generation system is disclosed. The power generation system includes an electrical converting device and a repowered portion connected to the electrical converting device. The repowered portion includes a reciprocating internal combustion engine and a gearbox. The reciprocating internal combustion engine is connected to the gearbox by a first connecting structure. The gearbox is connected to the electrical converting device by a second connecting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Tognum America Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Wolff, Douglas E. Berry, Mark D. Bowdich, Gerhard Kramer, Scott D. Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20120143195
    Abstract: A tool connecting device has a first member extending along a first axis and has an internal cavity adjacent a first end and a threaded outer surface. A second member extends along a second axis and has a tool at a first end and a joint element at a second end. The joint element is pivotally mounted in the cavity of the first member. The second member has an angled surface intermediate the first and second ends. The angled surface is angled outwardly in a direction from the second to the first end. A sleeve is provided which has a threaded inner bore mounted on the threaded outer surface of the first member and is capable of moving along the first axis. The sleeve has a tapered leading end for contacting the angled surface of the second member. The sleeve is movable on the first member to multiple positions along the first axis each position allowing an angle between the second axis and the first axis to be limited to any angle between 0 degrees and approximately 45 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Duncan Sander
  • Publication number: 20120058832
    Abstract: A system for connecting a shaft (5) to a joint (1), which system includes a shaft journal (10) that is connected to the shaft (5), and a sleeve (4) that is connected to a hub of the joint (1), the sleeve (4) having a shaft-side first opening section (7), a joint-side second opening section (8), and a first radial stop section (14), and the shaft journal (10) having a shaft-side first shaft-journal section (11), a joint-side second shaft-journal section (12), and a second radial stop section (15) for delimiting the insertion path of the shaft journal (10) in the sleeve (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Claus Disser, Volker Szentmihalyi
  • Publication number: 20110306431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a torque transmitting device (10) for transmitting torques between two shaft sections of a shaft arrangement by way of an articulated arrangement (12), wherein the articulated arrangement (12) is designed to compensate for an angular offset between the two shaft sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: SGF SUEDDEUTSCHE GELENKSCHEIBENFABRIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Rothe
  • Publication number: 20110300954
    Abstract: A die formed monolithic yoke assembly for a universal joint of an automotive driveline assembly subject to high torsional loads having a substantially uniformed thickness, including a cup-shaped portion, a pair of opposed lugs integral with and extending from an upper portion of the cup-shaped portion and an integral, outwardly deformed substantially continuous lip portion extending outwardly from the upper surface of the annular wall and the lugs substantially strengthening the yoke assembly particularly against torsional loads. In one embodiment, the upper end of the cup-shaped portion included concave arcuate portions on opposed sides of the lugs adjacent the lugs, such that the upper surface of the cup-shaped portion transitions from a concave surface to a convex surface strengthening the yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: VALUE EXTRACTION LLC, SZUBA CONSULTING, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Szuba, Henry Fradkin, Robert D. Kucinski
  • Publication number: 20110294584
    Abstract: A universal ball joint includes a first pivotal body and a second pivotal body rotatably assembled with the first pivotal body. The first pivotal body includes a substantially elliptical ball head and a connecting portion extending out from the ball head. The ball head has a major axis and a minor axis substantially perpendicular to the major axis. The second pivotal body defines a substantially elliptical ball socket rotatably engaging with the ball head of the first pivotal body such that the ball head may rotate around the major axis or the minor axis of the ball head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: GUO-QING ZHANG, ZHI-MING ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20110269555
    Abstract: Provided is an outer member of a constant velocity universal joint, which suppresses occurrence of cracking in a joining portion of the constant velocity universal joint and has stable quality. The outer member of the constant velocity universal joint includes: a cup section (1) having a plurality of track grooves formed therein; and a shaft section (2) having one end coupled to a bottom portion of the cup section (1). By joining members having different carbon contents to each other and then performing induction hardening on the members, a hardening heat-affected portion affected by the induction hardening, a hardening heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the induction hardening, a joining heat-affected portion affected by heat generated at a time of the joining, and a joining heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the heat generated at the time of the joining are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroo Morimoto, Kazuhiko Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110269556
    Abstract: Provided is an outer joint member for a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, the outer joint member contributing to reduction of the number of man-hours through reduction of the number of post processes after a forging process, and to an increase in yield, and reduction of manufacturing cost. The outer joint member for a fixed type constant velocity universal joint includes a cup section (16) and a shaft section (18) extending in an axial direction from a bottom portion of the cup section (16). The outer joint member is made of machine-structural carbon steel. The following portions of the outer joint member are finished by cold forging: track grooves (12); radially inner spherical-surface portions (14a); a cup-inlet chamfer (12b); track chamfers (12c); track-inlet chamfers (12a); a part except for a boot fixing portion (19) on a radially outer surface of the cup section (16); and a center hole (13) at an end surface (18a) of the shaft section (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Masazumi Kobayashi, Kisao Yamazaki, Minoru Ishijima
  • Publication number: 20110253472
    Abstract: The invention is a combination drive and suspension system that includes an upper drive assembly and a lower drive assembly pivotally connected. The pivoting drive system provides improved ground clearance for a farm vehicle capable of carrying a large quantity of field application material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Buschena
  • Patent number: 7967684
    Abstract: A simple, center-less universal joint of ultra tight tolerance comprising two yokes, each having two facing, distinctly round interface surface areas; both yokes being easily engaged (a self aligning process) and disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Hermann Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20110151982
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting a hub bearing unit with a constant velocity joint includes a bell member of a constant velocity joint having a tubular section disposed about a driving ring and having an end surface facing a hub member end surface and an inner circumferential surface defining a bore. The inner surface has inner splines engageable with driving ring outer splines and a tapering surface section. A sealing member is disposed between the hub and bell end surfaces and seals the space between the surfaces. An annular retainer disposed within the bell bore has a tapering outer circumferential surface engageable with the inner surface section of the bore such that the tubular section is retained between the retainer outer surface and the hub end surface, preventing disengagement of the splines and compressing the sealing member between the end surfaces. A connector connects the retainer with the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Luca Ciulla
  • Publication number: 20110092297
    Abstract: Provided is a constant velocity universal joint in which a boot can be enhanced in durability and compactified, which are achieved by suppressing abrasion of the boot. In the constant velocity universal joint including: an outer joint member (1); an inner joint member (2); a torque transmitting member (3); a shaft (5); and a hoot (6), surface roughness of an outer peripheral. surface (5a) of the shaft (5) satisfies Rsk<0, Rpk<2 ?m, and Ra<4 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Shinichi Takabe