Abstract: Constant velocity joints or homokinetic joints are used for the continuous transmission of rotational movements and torques. They transmit the rotational movement of a driving shaft to a shaft to be driven without changing the speed or torque. The transmission takes place independently of the speed, torque, or the value of a diffraction angle and independently of the speed at which this diffraction angle changes. Constant velocity joints with a diffraction angle of 90° are equipped with specially shaped gear pairs, which are held together by a spring-loaded inner joint. In this joint transmission, a diffraction angle of 90° is achieved while the shafts to be connected to fixedly mounted bevel- and spur gear pairs are connected to each other, so that no spring-loaded inner joint is needed. Therefore, high engine speeds and high torques can be transmitted.

Abstract: The constant velocity joint has the input shaft (1), the output shaft (2), two toothed spherical left arms (4L), two toothed spherical right arms (4R), and the stabilizing mechanism (3). The stabilizing mechanism (3) is made up of stabilizing segments (3.1) and (3.2). Stabilizing segments have limited degrees of freedom except the possibility of partial rotation around the axis of the stabilizing mechanism (3). Each stabilizing segment (3.1) or (3.2) is associated with one toothed spherical left arm (4L) and one toothed spherical right arm (4R) attached by means of bolts (6) and two groups of rolling elements (8) such that they can only rotate around the axes of the bolts (6). The input shaft (1) carries on its body two arms (1.1) and (1.2). The output shaft (2) carries on its body two arms (2.1) and (2.2). In arms of both shafts there are outer rolling paths created for groups of rolling elements (9), which perform the function of radial-axial bearings.

Abstract: A variable pliability actuator is provided to move a movable component including two electric rotary motors, at least one output shaft connected to be set in rotation by the motors around a rotation axis, an elastic transmission system to enable motion transfer from the motors to the output shaft and to vary the pliability the output shaft, a control unit to adjust at least the pliability of the output shaft through the elastic transmission system, and a holding structure to hold at least the motors, the elastic transmission system, the output shaft and the control unit. The holding structure has a driving output placed at the outer surface controlled by the output shaft and connected to set the movable component in rotation about the rotation axis, at least one stiff coupling element to enable a stiff connection of the holding structure, and a support output opposite the driving output, substantially coaxial with the rotation axis and partly housing and stabilizing the rotation of the movable component.

Abstract: A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gear coupling includes first and second inner cylinders, first and second outer cylinders, and first and second closing plates interposed between the first and second inner cylinders and closing inner end faces of the first and second outer cylinders. In the first closing plate, one or a plurality of through-holes communicating with a device outer side of the first closing plate from a first grease chamber surrounded by the first inner cylinder, the first outer cylinder, and the first closing plate are formed. In the second closing plate, one or a plurality of through-holes communicating with a device outer side of the second closing plate from a second grease chamber surrounded by the second inner cylinder, the second outer cylinder, and the second closing plate are formed. Plugging members closing the through-holes are fitted to the through-holes.

Abstract: An outer joint member for a constant velocity universal joint is formed by a face spline forming apparatus and a face spline forming method. The face spline forming apparatus includes a punch member having a tooth portion for forming a face spline, a pedestal having an end-surface receiving surface for receiving an opening end surface of a cup section, and a shaft member having an inner-surface receiving surface for receiving a bottom-wall inner surface of the cup section. The opening end surface and the bottom-wall inner surface are brought into a simultaneous pressure receiving state. In this state, the punch member performs a rocking motion to form the face spline in a bottom-wall back surface due to plastic deformation caused by the tooth portion of the punch member.

Abstract: The torsion angle between a first rotation member and a second rotation member can be increased to lower the rigidity of a resilient member, thereby enhancing the attenuation property of torsional vibration. The torsional vibration damping apparatus 1 comprises a pair of disc plates 4, 5 having the rotation torque from an internal combustion engine transmitted thereto, input gears 9, 10 rotatably supported on the disc plates 4, 5, an output gear 13 provided to be relatively rotatable with respect to the disc plates 4, 5 and held in mesh with the input gears 9, 10, a boss member 7 splined to an input shaft 8 of a power transmission train, and a coil spring 14 having one end portion fastened to the input gear 9 and the other end portion fastened to the input gear 10.

Abstract: Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

Abstract: In a device for adjusting the relative angular position of two rotating elements which are connected to a drive and, via a transmission element, to an actuating shaft by which, driven by a rotor of an electric actuating drive including a winding, the relative angular position of the rotating elements can be changed, the actuating shaft is operatively connected to at least one of the rotating elements and the winding is biased axially into engagement with one of the rotating elements for locking the drive while the electric actuating drive is de-energized.

Abstract: A curvilinear gear system and method for transferring force and speed through a wide range of angles is disclosed. The system can optionally incorporate curvilinear U joints to increase effective range of angles to tailor the system to specific applications. The system includes complimentary gear heads, one of which is a curvilinear gear such as a hemispherical gear. A method of using the gear systems in a transmission apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A torque coupling for a rotor head of a rotary-wing aircraft is configured for rotation with a mast and for causing rotation of an attached yoke. The coupling has trunnions that rotate with the mast and extend generally radially. Pad-bearing assemblies each have a central member coupled to one of the trunnions with a laminated spherical bearing and have laminated pad bearings affixed to opposing sides of the central member. The laminated bearings have alternating rigid and elastomeric layers. A bearing mount is affixed to each pad bearing and is connected to a yoke for rotating the yoke with the mast. The pad-bearing assemblies allow for relative motion between each central member and the associated trunnion and between each central member and the bearing mounts through elastic shear deformation, and this allows for gimballing of the attached yoke relative to the mast.

Abstract: A rotary vector gear for controlling longitudinal axis offset about a central longitudinal axis is disclosed. The device uses single rotary motion through a rotary vector gear to produce hypotrochoidic offset similar to a flower petal and is capable or ready return to zero offset. The device may be used in downhole rotary steerable oil and gas drilling tools and in computer controlled milling machines for providing controlled offset.

Abstract: A gearless speed reducer or increaser consists of an input shaft, an output shaft, and a motor connected to the input shaft. There is an external race connected to one of the shafts, and an internal race attached to the other shaft. Two ball bearings are disposed between the races. After the ball bearings have been inserted, the shafts are tilted relative to each other so that the balls become fixed in pockets created between the races and cannot slide within the races. Rotating one of the shafts thus rotates the other shaft, since the balls do not slip but only rotate between the races. The system acts as a speed reducer or increaser due to the different diameters of the inner and outer races. The system can be uncoupled by pivoting the shafts back into alignment so that the balls can slide freely within the races.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid drive train is provided with an internal combustion engine (ICE) that supplies mechanical power to two driving wheels of a vehicle. Each driving wheel is provided with a respective hub motor having a stator mounted to the vehicle and a rotor directly connected to the driving wheel. The interconnection between the ICE and the driving wheel is done via a cardan joint provided between the output shaft of the ICE and each driving wheel. Accordingly, when the hub motors are energized, the drive train is in a parallel hybrid mode where both the ICE and the hub motors contribute to the rotation of the wheel. The drive train may also be placed in a conventional mode when the hub motors are not energized and in a purely electric mode when the ICE is not running.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for high-speed drives such as propeller shafts in motor vehicles has the outer joint part and the inner joint part held relative to one another in an optimum way so that they rotate centrally relative to one another at any angle occurring in operation. This is achieved in that the constant velocity universal joint is provided in the form of a so-called quadripode joint consisting of an outer joint part and an inner joint part which is supported by centering the cross member associated with the inner joint part by means of the arms thereof against respective stops in the outer joint part.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises two shafts with respective opposed ends carrying respective flanges whose external shape is part-spherical and in which respective part-cylindrical recesses are formed, the axes of which intersect at the geometrical centre of the joint. Two spiders are provided, each including a part-cylindrical portion slidably received in a respective part-cylindrical recess and a part-annular cylindrical portion, the axes of the part-cylindrical portion and part-annular cylindrical portion being perpendicular to one another. A central member affords two part-annular cylindrical recesses, the axes of which are coincident and constitute the axis of the central member. Each recess slidably received a respective one of the part-annular cylindrical portions. The axis of the recesses passes through the geometrical centre.

Abstract: The four trunnions (11) transmit the rotation of the shaft (8) to the body (1) through the intermediately of four tracks (3) which oscillate by rolling without sliding on the inner wall of the body (1). In addition, each track (3) is coupled angularly with the two adjacent tracks by mating teeth (7) so that any inclination of one track produces a contrary inclination of the two adjacent tracks and consequently an inclination in the same direction of the opposite track. The radii (a, b) according to which the tracks roll against the inner wall of the body and the position of the center of gravity (G) of the tracks are such that the centrifugal force (F) returns the tracks into neutral position. The inherent oscillation frequency of the tracks under the effect of this return is equal to twice the speed of rotation of the joint.

Abstract: A universal joint for the transfer of power between an input shaft and an output shaft. The joint comprises a modified Cardan or Hooke's joint that is driven by four bevel gears. A first bevel gear is mounted to the end of a fixed housing through which the input shaft passes. A drive bevel gear is mounted to the distal end of the input shaft. Two opposing planetary gears are driven by the drive gear and rotate about the fixed gear. The planetary gear axle is connected to an output yoke which is connected to the output shaft. If the drive, fixed and planetary bevel gears are of the same size, a 2:1 speed reduction joint is provided. Variations of the bevel gears sizes may provide input:output ratios ranging from about 2:1 up to about 10:1.

Abstract: A pair of semi-spherical bevel gears comprising a plurality of gear teeth and grooves radially arranged within an angle of 360.degree. which are formed by driving shaft and a driven shaft through the mutual contact of the pair of semi-spherical bevel gears, and a hollow boss disposed in a gear head of the gears for receiving the shafts therein for forming a hollow portion so as to contain a coil spring, respectively.

Abstract: A rolling mill drive with spindles arranged axially slidably between pinions and work rolls. A joint of each spindle is releasably connected to the neck of at least one roll, particularly the work roll. At least the spindle joint connected to the work roll includes a coupling and uncoupling device, preferably an annular bayonet-type coupling device.

Abstract: An axially toothed gear mechanism for transmitting torque and angular displacement from a driving member to a driven member which can accommodate a slight angular mismatch between the two, and which minimizes backlash and wear of the teeth.

Abstract: The present invention includes a robot wrist actuator having a cylindrical housing with first and second housing wall portions coaxially disposed with respect to each other. First and second gimbal assemblies are included within the housing for pitch and yaw movement and are rotatably mounted to the housing. First and second linkages connect the first and second gimbal assemblies such that movement is transmitted from one gimbal assembly to another.

Abstract: A joint which includes a barrel (1) in which are pivotally mounted four channels (3) defining rolling tracks (5) having a circular cross-sectional shape, adjacent channels defining mutually engaged teeth (7). Received in these rolling tracks are rollers (12) of spherical shape rotatively and slidably mounted on trunnions (11) connected to a shaft (8). Such a joint has, for a given overall size, a torque-transmitting capacity much higher than that of a universal joint and can slide very freely while transmitting torque. It is moreover homokinetic, silent and of relatively low constructional cost, and has application in particular to motor vehicle transmissions.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism includes a plurality of rigid links connected together by a plurality of joints, wherein each of the joints includes a joint member interconnecting the adjacent links in a manner to enable an angular displacement to be transmitted between the adjacent links, and an angular displacement transmitting section for transmitting the angular displacement between the links in the form of at least two rotational angle components.

Abstract: A double Cardan universal joint is provided with improved centering members. One end yoke of the joint has circular ridges or teeth and a central tooth facing the other end yoke with the center line of the teeth being coaxial with the axis of rotation of the one yoke. The other end yoke has circular ridges or teeth and a central recess facing the one end yoke with the center line of those teeth and recess being coaxial with the axis of rotation of that yoke. The teeth are positioned so that one tooth extends between two teeth of the other yoke for any position of the end yokes and the drive and driven members or shafts to which they are attached. The sets of teeth are in patterns of spherical segments so that any longitudinal cross section taken centrally through the teeth has the same general appearance as a section gear through a segment. In a preferred form, the tooth profile or shape in transverse section is such that intermediate portions are thicker than both inner and outer end portions.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint includes a centering device which restricts each cardan joint to mutually equal operating angles by the use of annular involute gear teeth designed to mesh in the homokinetic plane. A boot seal simultaneously flexes and rolls as the universal joint articulates to develop a kneading action which pumps lubricant among the gear teeth.

Abstract: An adjustable power transmitting device comprising a rotary input shaft mounted for rotation about a first axis and an output shaft mounted for rotation about a second axis. The output shaft is also mounted for pivotal movement about at least two non-parallel axes so that the position of the output shaft can be adjusted about both of these axes. The input shaft is drivingly coupled to the output shaft so that the input shaft can rotate the output shaft in all positions of the output shaft about the two non-parallel axes.

Abstract: An adjustable power transmitting device comprising a rotary input shaft mounted for rotation about a first axis and an output shaft mounted for rotation about a second axis. The output shaft is also mounted for pivotal movement about at least two non-parallel axes so that the position of the output shaft can be adjusted about both of these axes. The input shaft is drivingly coupled to the output shaft so that the input shaft can rotate the output shaft in all positions of the output shaft about the two non-parallel axes.