Coupling Facilitates Relative Axial Motion Between Coupled Members Patents (Class 464/162)
  • Patent number: 11608852
    Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly for a vehicle including a first shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The first shaft has an externally splined region presenting a plurality of external splines axially adjacent to the distal end. The externally splined region has a spline region outside diameter. A second shaft extends axially between a base end and a terminal end. The second shaft has a tube portion that extends from the base end, and an internally splined sleeve region that extends from the terminal end. The internally splined sleeve region receives the externally splined region of the first shaft and presents a plurality of internal splines interleaved with the external splines of the first shaft for providing relative axial movement between the first and second shafts while rotationally fixing the first and second shafts to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: NEAPCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Rob Wehner
  • Patent number: 11539325
    Abstract: Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Nevados Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Yezin Taha, Kyam Krieger, Jared Niemiec
  • Patent number: 11465670
    Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a housing, an input shaft, and a hybrid shaft support. The housing defines an opening. The input shaft is configured to rotate about an input axis. The hybrid shaft support may be disposed at the opening and configured to couple the input shaft to the housing. The hybrid shaft support may also be configured to support the input shaft as the input shaft rotates. The hybrid shaft support further includes a cylindrical member and a flexible seal over-molded onto the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC
    Inventors: Brian Urbach, Robert Brown, Chase Skipinski, Justin Urbach
  • Patent number: 11325637
    Abstract: A steering system includes a steering operation shaft, a lower shaft, an upper shaft, and an intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft includes a tubular member including a hollow portion; and a shaft member. An oil groove that retains lubricating oil is provided in a predetermined range in an axial direction of the intermediate shaft on at least one of an outer peripheral surface of the shaft member at a part housed in the hollow portion and an inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the tubular member. A sectional area of the oil groove in an upper shaft-side part of the predetermined range is larger than a sectional area of the oil groove in a lower shaft-side part of the predetermined range, the upper shaft-side part being located on a side of the upper shaft, and the lower shaft-side part being located on a side of the lower shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Kamitani, Gaku Takimoto
  • Patent number: 11193526
    Abstract: In an example, a compliant shaft enclosure support system for coupling to a shaft enclosure surrounding a shaft includes a bar having a first member slidably coupled to a second member. The bar is oriented along the pitch axis of the shaft. A first bar end of the bar is rotatably connected, around the roll axis and pitch axis of the shaft, to the shaft enclosure at a first connection. A second bar end of the bar is rotatably connected, around the roll axis and pitch axis, to the structure at a second connection. A link is rotatably connected, around the roll axis, at a first link end to the bar, at an intermediate location spaced from the first and second bar ends. The link is rotatably connected, around the pitch axis, at a second link end to the shaft enclosure at a third connection spaced from the first connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Homeland Security
    Inventors: Ronald Adrezin, Michael Daeffler, Michael F. Derrico, Mary Shalane Regan, Matthew K. Mothander, Ryan R. Young
  • Patent number: 11173945
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a housing, an elongate rotatable steering column, a gear and a torque feedback motor. The elongate rotatable steering column is configured at one end for attachment of a steering wheel and is displaceable into and out of the housing along its longitudinal axis (A). The gear is rotatably mounted coaxially with the steering column within the housing and keyed with the steering column. The torque feedback motor is connected to the gear wherein the keyed connection between the steering column and the gear allows longitudinal displacement of the steering column relative to the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Wilkes
  • Patent number: 11092190
    Abstract: A steering shaft having an outer shaft and an inner shaft accommodated therein in a torque-locking, axially displaceable manner and an axial inner stop which projects radially outwards from an outer face of the inner shaft. When the inner shaft is pulled out of the outer shaft, the axial inner stop strikes against an axial outer stop projecting radially inwards from an inner face of the outer shaft, wherein the axial displacement of the inner shaft is limited in the pull-out direction. With regard to simple production of the outer stops with the least possible deformation of the entire cross section of the outer shaft, the outer stop is introduced by at least one forming process into an end portion of the outer shaft, wherein the axis of the direction of introduction in each case forms an angle of more than 20° with the radial direction of the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Robert Josef Märk
  • Patent number: 11060566
    Abstract: A torque tube assembly includes a torque tube and a spline coupling coupled to an end of the torque tube. The spline coupling has an opening to receive a spline gear on a drive shaft of an aircraft high lift device. The torque tube assembly also includes a retainer coupled to the spline coupling. The retainer blocks at least a portion of the opening in the spline coupling to prevent the spline coupling from being moved off of the spline gear on the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Meyer, Maxim Popov
  • Patent number: 11022181
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a shaft member having several outer axial grooves provided on an outer circumferential surface of a sliding section; a first outer member having a hollow shape; and a second outer member having a hollow shape. The first outer member has first serration portions axially formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof and several inner axial grooves formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof to correspond to the outer axial grooves of the shaft member. The second outer member has second serration portions axially provided on an inner circumferential surface thereof to correspond to the first serration portions of the first outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10935069
    Abstract: A system includes a pair of gearboxes each having an output shaft. A first adapter is connected to the output shaft of the first gearbox, and a second adapter is connected to the output shaft of the second gearbox. A first drive shaft is connected to the first adapter, and a second drive shaft is connected to the second adapter. Each drive shaft may articulate with respect to an axis defined by its associated output shaft through an angle of at least twenty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy K. Searfoss
  • Patent number: 10844909
    Abstract: A method of assembling an electric power steering assembly includes providing a shaft that extends along a longitudinal axis between a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The method further includes extruding or drawing the shaft through a die to define a spline that extends between the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The spline includes a first tooth having a first tip. The method still further includes applying a sleeve over a portion of the spline, such that the sleeve extends from the second shaft end towards the first shaft end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Pattok, Sai S. Adimulam, Bryan S. Kikta
  • Patent number: 10774649
    Abstract: A gas turbine rotor includes a first rotor and a second rotor. The first rotor includes a compressor impeller, a turbine wheel, and a shaft. The turbine wheel has a common rotational axis with the compressor impeller. The shaft connects the compressor impeller to the turbine wheel. The second rotor is an electric generator rotor and defines an inner hollow space. The shaft includes an insertable portion disposed in the inner hollow space of the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Masaya Honma, Osao Kido, Yoshitsugu Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10520010
    Abstract: A joint shaft, in particular a universal joint shaft, has first and second axial connection ends and a central part that connects the two connection ends to one another in a torsionally rigid and pivotable manner. At least one intermediate sleeve is provided between a first and a second shaft element with internal gearing having inner teeth, which are distributed over the circumference and extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and external gearing with outer teeth, which are distributed over the circumference and extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The sleeve is longitudinally displaceable relative to the first shaft element and to the second shaft element and is attached directly or indirectly in a torsionally rigid manner to the first shaft element by way of the intermediate sleeve external gearing and to the second shaft element by way of the intermediate sleeve internal gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Grawenhof, Erich Haluk, Roger Clement
  • Patent number: 10511216
    Abstract: A sliding linear bearing includes a guide shaft on which a slider is movably guided in a guide direction. Bushes are inserted between the guide shaft and the slider including a main bush that is fixedly attached to the slider and a preloading bush that is held so as to be rotatable relative to the slider about the guide direction while being preloaded with a torque. The main bush and the preloading bush are preloaded by the torque in opposite directions of rotation without play relative to the guide shaft. A contact region between each of the bushes and the guide shaft blocks rotation about the guide direction between the slider and the guide shaft in both directions of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ETEL S.A.
    Inventors: Andre-Rafael da Conceicao Rosa, Christophe Hulmann
  • Patent number: 10435954
    Abstract: A progressive cavity device including an articulated coupling for converting the complex motion of a rotor into simple rotation. The coupling may include two shafts coupled to one another by joint assemblies connected to opposite ends of an intermediate shaft. The joint assemblies may include interleaved male and female spline portions and an elastomer filling the spaces between the male and female splines. The elastomer may deflect under load to allow the male and female splines to move relative to each other to allow the assembly to react to shaft misalignments. To limit elastomer bulging from the ends of the joint in response to shaft movement, the bulge area may be capped so that the elastomer cannot bulge outward and become extremely stiff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Russell D. Ide
  • Patent number: 10371213
    Abstract: A tolerance ring comprising a metallic band for spring features and a complementary low friction material for frictional considerations is disclosed. The tolerance ring is designed to operate within a precisely controlled torque or axial force band to provide a defined amount of resistance and sliding force control between components that move relative to each other. Isolated portions of the tolerance ring form regions of contact with adjacent ones of the components. Other surfaces of the tolerance ring comprise portions with spring features that have geometry suitable for their spring rate, rather than conforming to mating surfaces of the adjacent components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS RENCOL LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew R. Slayne, Parag Natu
  • Patent number: 10330141
    Abstract: The rolling surface of each ball and a radially outside surface of the inside guide plate are in contact with each other only at two circumferentially set-apart inside contact parts. The rolling surface of each ball and a radially inside surface of the outside guide plate are in contact with each other only at two circumferentially set-apart outside contact parts. At a state after the extensible rotation transmission shaft is assembled, at least the inner surface of the inner-side concave groove is elastically deformed more radially inwards than a state before the assembling, thereby preloading the respective balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 10323692
    Abstract: A slip yoke assembly having a shaft sleeve, a yoke sleeve, and a yoke. The yoke sleeve may have a set of yoke sleeve splines that may mate with a set of shaft sleeve splines and permit axial movement of the yoke sleeve with respect to the shaft sleeve. The yoke may be fixedly disposed on the yoke sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Lentini, Christopher Steele, Dale Kwasniewski, Kenneth Lang
  • Patent number: 10036426
    Abstract: Example torque tube assemblies for use with aircraft high lift devices are described herein. An example apparatus includes a spline coupling having a first yoke, a sliding splined shaft having a second yoke and a torque tube having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A first fitting with a third yoke is coupled to the first end of the torque tube, and a second fitting with a fourth yoke is coupled to the second end of the torque tube. The third yoke is coupled to the first yoke to form a first U-joint, and the fourth yoke is coupled to the second yoke to form a second U-joint. The spline coupling is to be coupled to a first high lift device drive shaft and the sliding splined shaft is to be coupled to a second high lift device drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas John Schwartz, Mark Robert Meyer
  • Patent number: 9915291
    Abstract: A rod-shaped element having an outer diameter, which is the same as an outer diameter of a completed rod part, has one axial end portion and the other axial end portion to which a base end portion of a bifurcated yoke is fixed. The one axial end portion is subject to plastic working for diametrically deforming an outer periphery of the one axial end portion. Thereby, the outer periphery of the one axial end portion is formed with a male spline part having a groove bottom diameter smaller than an outer diameter of a rod part and having a tooth tip diameter larger than the outer diameter of the rod part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 9890808
    Abstract: A propshaft with an universal joint, a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The universal joint has first and second yoke arms that are pivotally coupled to one another. The first tubular member is fixedly coupled to the first yoke arms and has a plurality of first teeth. The second tubular member slidably received over the first tubular member and includes a plurality of second teeth. The first and second teeth engage one another when the propshaft is in an extended condition. The second teeth engage the first yoke arms when the propshaft is in a retracted condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Dawhorng Dennis Wang
  • Patent number: 9771969
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an intermediate shaft including: an internal shaft having an external spline; a tubular external shaft having on an inner circumference thereof an internal spline; and a resin coating provided on the external spline, a central axis line of an internal shaft manufacturing intermediate product and a central axis line of an external shaft manufacturing intermediate product are aligned with each other, and the internal shaft manufacturing intermediate product and the external shaft manufacturing intermediate product are held in such a way that the central axis lines thereof can be adjusted, in a heating adaptation step. In this state, the internal shaft manufacturing intermediate product and the external shaft manufacturing intermediate product slide relatively in an axial direction. In the heating adaptation step, a grease is interposed between the internal shaft manufacturing intermediate product and the external shaft manufacturing intermediate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoichi Tokioka
  • Patent number: 9739316
    Abstract: Example torque tube assemblies for use with aircraft high lift devices are described herein. An example apparatus includes a spline coupling having a first yoke, a sliding splined shaft having a second yoke and a torque tube having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A first fitting with a third yoke is coupled to the first end of the torque tube, and a second fitting with a fourth yoke is coupled to the second end of the torque tube. The third yoke is coupled to the first yoke to form a first U-joint, and the fourth yoke is coupled to the second yoke to form a second U-joint. The spline coupling is to be coupled to a first high lift device drive shaft and the sliding splined shaft is to be coupled to a second high lift device drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas John Schwartz, Mark Robert Meyer
  • Patent number: 9707801
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub shell, a sprocket support body, a first ratchet member, a second ratchet member, and a spacer. The hub shell includes at least one first tooth. The sprocket support body includes a first helical spline. The first ratchet member comprises at least one first ratchet tooth and a second helical spline engaged with the first helical spline. The second ratchet member comprises at least one second ratchet tooth and at least one second tooth. The at least one second tooth is engaged with the at least one first tooth. The spacer is at least partly provided between the at least one first tooth and the at least one second tooth in a circumferential direction defined about a rotational axis. The spacer includes a non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Naohiro Nishimoto, Kazuki Koshiyama
  • Patent number: 9618052
    Abstract: In an intermediate shaft for a steering system, the surface of external splines of an inner shaft is coated with a resin coating layer containing a base resin and two or more kinds of higher fatty acid metal salts having different melting point peaks from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazunori Miyake
  • Patent number: 9126622
    Abstract: A steering arrangement includes a steering spindle and a steering coupling provided with a fork crown bearing a connecting element that connects an end of the steering spindle to the steering coupling in the form of a plug connection. To enable the combined steering spindle and steering coupling ends to be connected to each other in the correct relative position and thus to be able to prevent a defective assembly, the steering spindle end and the connecting element are coaxial plug partners on ends facing each other, by means of at least one tongue and groove guide element pair that provides a torque-transmitting priority control. The at least one groove and/or the at least one tongue of the guide element pair is molded on the interior of the shaft. A clamping device clamps the plug partners against each other in a plugging position so that they cannot come loose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Axel Hebenstreit, Hans-Dieter Loeffler, Thorsten Meyer
  • Patent number: 9080598
    Abstract: A double-sided drive shaft with a telescoping end on each side is provided. In particular the double-sided drive shaft is also double-telescoping because each telescoping end on each side of the double-sided drive shaft is able to extend and retract. The double-sided drive shaft is configured to transfer rotation from a rotational power source within an agricultural implement. The double-sided and double-telescoping drive shaft includes one or more shafts and one or more sleeves having an interior surface configured to transfer torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Travis Lester Harnetiaux
  • Patent number: 9067638
    Abstract: A handgrip for handlebars of a bicycle or similar vehicles includes a tubular group, which extends according to an axial direction (X) corresponding to the axis of the handlebars, the group being fitted onto an end of handlebars, the handgrip including padding means associated with the tubular group, means for attaching the handgrip to the handlebars, the tubular group including an inner body suitable for being fitted onto an end of the handlebars and a second outer body slidably fitted according to the direction (X) onto the inner body so as to adjust the axial length of the handgrip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SELLE ROYAL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Segato, Vincent Bourgeois
  • Publication number: 20150141160
    Abstract: A holder for a medical instrument having a quick coupling for receiving a connection end of the instrument's shaft. The quick coupling has a first coupling element having a first axial through-hole for the connection end and a second coupling element having a second axial through-hole for the connection end. The second coupling element is movable relative to the first coupling element in a direction crosswise to the axial direction of the through-holes from a locked position, in which the through-holes are offset so that an edge of the second through-hole engages behind an undercut on the shaft's connection end in a locking manner, to a release position, in which the through-holes lie in alignment and the connection end is freely guidable through both through-holes. A spring bridge connects the first and second coupling elements together and preloads the first and second coupling elements into the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Klaus Dmuschewsky, Amos Balzarini, Dörte Freisberg
  • Publication number: 20150133983
    Abstract: A hand tool comprises: a handle, a cavity, and a drive adapter. The handle is disposed at a proximal end of the hand tool. The cavity is disposed at a distal end of the hand tool. The drive adapter is disposed in the cavity to rotate about an axis of the hand tool. In one embodiment, the drive adapter includes a hollowed volume extending through the drive adapter from a first opening at a tip of the drive adapter to a second opening (such as an a sidewall) of the drive adapter into the cavity. According to one configuration, the hollowed volume extends from the tip of the drive adapter to multiple openings disposed on a respective sidewall of the drive adapter. A respective sidewall of the drive adapter including one or more openings is free from contacting a circumferential surface in the hand tool defining the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Brian Loreth
  • Publication number: 20150107220
    Abstract: A VAFN system is provided for a fan case of an engine. The system includes a motor; a gearbox; an actuator; a nozzle; and a drive coupling extending between the gearbox and the actuator and configured to transmit the mechanical torque from the motor to the actuator. The drive coupling includes an external tube extending from a first one of the gearbox or the actuator, the external tube defining first and second slots extending in a longitudinal direction, and an internal tube extending from a second one of the gearbox or the actuator and at least partially extending within the external tube, the internal tube including a pin with first and second ends respectively positioned within the first and second slots such that the internal tube is configured to translate within the external tube and to be rotatably coupled to the external tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chakkera, Ron Vaughan
  • Patent number: 9005038
    Abstract: A rotation transmitting apparatus includes a first shaft on which multiple external teeth are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second shaft in which multiple internal teeth are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second shaft being fitted to the first shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth. A protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of one of the external tooth and the internal tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the other of the external tooth and the internal tooth. The protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Nabeshima, Eiji Kaneuchi, Yoshimasa Yamada, Ryousuke Imai
  • Publication number: 20150075897
    Abstract: Automotive drive shafts having slip yoke assemblies that are designed and configured to transmit torque and allow for axial movement while also minimizing driveline vibrations. In some embodiments, the slip yoke assemblies may include one or more bearings that minimize angular misalignment and resist drive shaft bending forces. In some embodiments, the bearings may include a pair of precision mating diameters on a yoke shaft and splined sleeve. In yet other embodiments, the slip yoke assembly may include internal rod wipers to seal out environmental contaminants and retain lubricants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Brian T. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20150030353
    Abstract: A torque receiving assembly, a photosensitive drum and a process cartridge having such torque receiving assembly. The torque receiving assembly having a body having an axis and having an accommodating chamber; a driven shaft disposed coaxially with the body, the driven shaft including a guide stem and a coupling head provided at one axial end of the guide stem, the guide stem having a pair of output arms which extend outwardly in a radial direction, the coupling head having a plurality of projections; wherein a pair of input arms are provided at an inner wall of the accommodating chamber and configured for abutting with the output arms; the guide stem is movable in the axial direction relative to the body, the torque receiving assembly further comprises a distance-limiting mechanism that defines a maximum distance the driven shaft is able to move relative to the body in the axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Qile WANG
  • Publication number: 20150005081
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a double-sided drive shaft with a telescoping end on each side, such that each telescoping end is able to extend and retract. The drive shaft is configured to transfer rotation from a rotational power source within an agricultural implement. The double-sided and double-telescoping drive shaft includes one or more shafts and one or more sleeves having an interior surface configured to transfer torque. In particular, the double-telescoping properties of the drive shaft may provide greater extension and retraction, flexibility, and freedom of movement than a standard drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Travis Lester Harnetiaux
  • Publication number: 20140378236
    Abstract: A double ended extendable driveshaft (106) is provided comprising: a first shaft portion (152, 154) that has a proximal end and a distal end; a first shaft coupler (110, 112) fixed to the distal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a first rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) supported for rotation on the proximal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a second shaft portion (152, 154) having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154) is slidingly coupled to the proximal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a second shaft coupler (110, 112) fixed to the distal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154); a second rotary coupler (160, 160, 162) supported for rotation on the proximal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154); and an actuator (158) coupled to the first rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) and the second rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) to extend and retract the first shaft portion (152, 154) with respect to the second shaft portion (152,
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: AARON S. RITTER, BRIAN BUSATH, AUSTIN HUGHES
  • Patent number: 8915521
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a vehicle and a bushing for the adjustable steering column are provided. The adjustable steering column includes a column jacket having a lower jacket extending along a first axis and an upper jacket telescopically coupled to and extending with the lower jacket. The lower and upper shafts are configured to selectively move telescopically relative to one another for telescope adjustment of the steering column. The adjustable steering column also includes a bushing positioned between the lower jacket and the upper jacket, the bushing including a support portion extending along a length between the lower jacket and upper jacket, the support portion including a first seating area, and a roller portion positioned in the first seating area, the roller portion configured to engage at least one of an outer surface of the lower jacket and an inner surface of the upper jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Melvin L. Tinnin, Arthur W. Nellett, Richard K. Riefe, Ravi Ravindra
  • Patent number: 8882602
    Abstract: A slip yoke assembly including a slip yoke having a long bore extending between a first end and a second end and a counterbore at the second end of the long bore. The counterbore has a first wall which defines a first diameter which is greater than a major diameter of the long bore. An annular groove is positioned between the long bore and the first diameter. A sealing member is disposed within the annular groove. The slip yoke assembly also includes a plug disposed within the counterbore and over the sealing member. The plug is secured to the slip yoke by a lip formed over the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Line, DaWuan A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8870667
    Abstract: A torque transmitting telescopic shaft (1) has an inner profile tube (2), an intermediate profile tube (3) and an outer profile tube 4. The tubes (2, 3, 4) are displaceably arranged with respect to each other for length adjustment. A connection element (5), with at least one axial elongated hole (6), is axially non-displaceably held in the intermediate profile tube (3). An engagement mechanism (7) connects with the inner profile tube (2). The engagement mechanism (7) engages the at least one axial elongated hole (6) of the connection element (5) to limit a displacement path between the inner profile tube (2) and the connection element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Walterscheid GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Büth, Thomas Beitzen
  • Publication number: 20140200086
    Abstract: A telescopic shaft includes a male shaft having an outer circumference formed with a plurality of protruding teeth, and a female shaft having an inner circumference formed with a plurality of tooth grooves and fitted onto the male shaft. The protruding teeth and the tooth grooves are engaged such that the male shaft and the female shaft are relatively axially slidable and a rotational torque is transmittable between the male shaft and the female shaft. At least one of the male shaft and the female shaft is configured such that the radial rigidity of a portion of the at least one of the male shaft and the female shaft in an axial range of a region where the protruding teeth and the tooth grooves are engaged is lower than the radial rigidity of another portion of the at least one of the male shaft and the female shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20140187339
    Abstract: A telescopic shaft includes a male shaft having an outer circumference on which a plurality of protruding teeth are formed, and a female shaft having an inner circumference on which a plurality of tooth grooves are formed. The tooth grooves of the female shaft are fitted onto the protruding teeth of the male shaft such that the male shaft and the female shaft are relatively slidable in an axial direction and such that a rotational torque is transmittable between the male shaft and the female shaft. One of a curvature radius of a tooth surface of the protruding teeth and a curvature radius of a tooth surface of the tooth grooves is smaller than the other of the curvature radius of the tooth surface of the protruding teeth and the curvature radius of the tooth surface of the tooth grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8764420
    Abstract: An eccentric-screw pump has an axially split stator having axially opposite intake and output ends and an elastomeric liner defining an axially throughgoing passage. Respective intake and output housings are releasably secured to the intake and output ends of the stator. An axially extending screw rotor in the passage has an end in the intake housing. A drive includes a rotatable universal joint having a pair of relatively swivelable parts in the intake housing. Respective generally complementary formations on the end of the rotor and on one of the universal-joint parts can fit axially together to rotationally couple the one universal-joint part with the rotor. A latch secures the formations axially together for angular force transmission between the one universal-joint part and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: seepex GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Overmeier, Marcel Griesdorn, Vsevolod Ryvkin
  • Patent number: 8753215
    Abstract: There is provided a spline telescopic shaft having first and second shafts that are fitted to each other slidably in an axial direction. First and second splines that engage with each other are respectively provided in the first and second shafts. A resin coating that is provided on at least a tooth surface of the first spline is fitted to a tooth surface of the second spline. The resin coating is subjected to heat fitting processing for sliding the first and second shafts in the axial direction under predetermined conditions, to fit a surface of the resin coating to the tooth surface of the second spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Koyo Machine Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Tokioka
  • Publication number: 20140080614
    Abstract: A rotation transmitting apparatus includes a first shaft on which multiple external teeth are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second shaft in which multiple internal teeth are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second shaft being fitted to the first shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth. A protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of one of the external tooth and the internal tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the other of the external tooth and the internal tooth. The protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi NABESHIMA, Eiji KANEUCHI, Yoshimasa YAMADA, Ryousuke IMAI
  • Patent number: 8641539
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Exosun
    Inventor: François Paponneau
  • Patent number: 8597131
    Abstract: A driveshaft mechanism tiding a driveshaft insert and a driveshaft are provided. The driveshaft insert is coupled to the driveshaft. The driveshaft insert is configured to couple with a component such that the driveshaft and the component rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Machine Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernhard Pisinger
  • Publication number: 20130255441
    Abstract: To provide a multi-shaft driving device that aims for a lightening of weight and lowering of cost as compared with conventional structures. In a structure in which, when a movable shaft (40) is slidably installed at an output shaft (20) and advances toward an input-side bevel gear (14), an output-side bevel gear (50) of a distal end side of the movable shaft (40) meshes-together with the input-side bevel gear (14), and the movable shaft (40) rotates and rotation of this movable shaft (40) is transmitted to the output shaft (20), the movable shaft (40) and the output-side bevel gear (50) are molded integrally of resin, and the output shaft (20) also is formed of resin, and the movable shaft (40) is slidably exteriorly placed on an outer peripheral side of the output shaft (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Takafumi Hirata, Ryohei Shigematsu, Takahiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130252748
    Abstract: A propeller shaft is proposed which comprises an inner cylindrical member that has a center through bore into which a shaft is inserted; an outer cylindrical member disposed around the inner cylindrical member; a torque transmitting unit operatively disposed between the inner and outer cylindrical members; a sleeve member coaxially connected to the center through bore of the inner cylindrical member; a boot unit arranged to hermetically close one open side of an interior of the outer cylindrical member; and a positioning mechanism that effects a relative axial positioning between the shaft and the inner cylindrical member when a splined cylindrical outer wall of the shaft is inserted through the sleeve member into a given position of a splined cylindrical inner wall of the center through bore of the inner cylindrical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems Kyushu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi SUGIYAMA, Takahiro KUROHA, Hiromichi KOMAI, Yasutomo MABE, Yasushi AKITA
  • Patent number: 8529222
    Abstract: A surface pump assembly having a thrust chamber with a telescoping shaft. In some embodiments, the surface pump assembly has a pump with a pump shaft, a thrust chamber with a telescoping shaft extending therein, the telescoping shaft extendable to engage the pump shaft and retractable to disengage the pump shaft, and a motor coupled to the telescoping shaft and operable to rotate the telescoping shaft. In some embodiments, the telescoping shaft has a rotatable shaft member, an adjusting nut threadably disposed thereabout, wherein the adjusting nut is moveable axially relative to the shaft member by rotation, and a first sleeve translatably disposed about the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Donald Burns, Jason Neal Whaley
  • Patent number: 8523689
    Abstract: An axially adjustable driveshaft assembly in a drive train system is described. Two hollow driveshaft sections, where one has a valve through an aperture in it and each has an end fitting, engage each other to form an axially adjustable driveshaft assembly that has a sealed internal chamber within. When a pressurized air or vacuum source is connected to the valve, air fills the chamber or air is removed from the chamber, which correspondingly increases or decreases a drive train system length. This results in facilitating the installation of the driveshaft assembly between a transmission and an axle assembly in a drive train system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Fischer, Johnny N. Smith