With Disparate Device For Coupling Shaft To Additional Shaft Or Rotary Body Patents (Class 464/182)
  • Patent number: 7143845
    Abstract: A blast-hole drilling rig includes a carriage, a mast disposed on the carriage, and a rotary head mounted on the mast for up-and-down movement. The rotary head includes: a housing forming an internal chamber, a hydraulically driven motor, and a rotation transmission mechanism disposed in the chamber. The rotation transmission mechanism includes a gear system having a high-speed power input section operably connected to the motor, and a low-speed power output section adapted for connection to a drill pipe. The rotation transmission mechanism includes an anti-vibrational inertial body forming part of the high-speed power input section for storing rotational energy to even-out rotary speed variations and resist the generation of vibrations during operation. The inertial body includes a downwardly open recess in which the motor casing extends, wherein the motor projects downwardly past a bottom wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Jarmo Leppanen
  • Patent number: 7118300
    Abstract: In a shaft coupling having a pair of complementally shaped, detachably joinable coupling sleeve halves (11, 12) which can be clamped together by means of clamping elements to form a split coupling sleeve provided with at least one seat (14) for a first shaft member (A1) which is to be non-rotatably connected with a second shaft member (A2, A2?) so that the first and second shaft members are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce AB
    Inventor: Istvan Bacskay
  • Patent number: 7111523
    Abstract: A structural power transmitting component embodies a shaft and a gear or pulley held threadedly positioned on the shaft by four nuts while interconnected by a torque transmitting wedge and key. The shaft is especially configured to establish structural interrelationships with the nuts, wedge, key and gear so as to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the component as well as to maintain the wedge and key deformed under engagement by the nuts to avoid development of internal clearances during start-up and stoppage of torque transmission to thereby preclude generation of noise during such operational start-up and stoppage of transmission through the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Gus F. Plangetis
  • Patent number: 7108651
    Abstract: In a centrifugal chamber 9, an elastic rotation shaft 30 and a high-rigidity rotation shaft 34 extend coaxially. When a rotor selected from an angle rotor 17 and a swing rotor 36 which have different sizes and shapes is set in the centrifugal chamber 9, an optimal shaft is connected automatically to the selected rotor. The angle rotor 17 having a low tendency toward mass eccentricity is supported and rotated by the elastic rotation shaft 30 for high-speed rotation. The swing rotor 34 having a high tendency toward mass eccentricity is supported by the high-rigidity shaft 34 for low-speed rotation. Rotation torque is transmitted to the swing rotor 34 from the elastic rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Koko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Konno, Yoshitaka Niinai, Masahiro Miura, Shoji Kusumoto, Takahiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7074129
    Abstract: A coupling member for a power transmission apparatus, connected to a fiber reinforced plastic cylindrical drive shaft, is comprised of a substantially cylindrical fitting portion to be press fitted into the drive shaft. The fitting portion is comprised of a serration portion formed in the axial direction on an outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion. The edge of the fitting portion has an inclined guide surface. The tip area of the guide surface is a guide portion with a smaller outer diameter than an inner diameter of an end portion of the drive shaft. An area between the guide portion and the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion is a cut away portion continuing from the serration portion. A tapering angle of the cut away portion is smaller than of the guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Sugiyama, Katsuro Kawahara, Hirofumi Somekawa
  • Patent number: 7056218
    Abstract: An elastic shaft coupling and a manufacturing method of an element of the coupling, which realize reduction of the manufacturing cost while maintaining a sufficient strength of the coupling. The elastic shaft coupling has a coupling element which is formed by interposing between a joint member and a hollow shaft member an elastic member for flexing and deforming upon a relative rotation therebetween and forming stopper portions for restricting the relative rotation within a predetermined amount respectively on the joint member and the hollow shaft member. The stopper portion on the hollow shaft member side is formed by plastically processing the end portion of the material of the hollow shaft member into a flange shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Komori, Kiyoshi Sadakata
  • Patent number: 7052402
    Abstract: A shaft has a shank with a splined portion and a large diameter portion formed in an outer peripheral surface of the shank, the large diameter portion having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of an external periphery of the splined portion. A tapered portion is provided at a side surface of the large diameter portion on the splined portion side. This tapered portion stops a fitting member that is fitted onto the splined portion. In addition, a cut back portion formed at an end portion of the splined portion at the large diameter portion side and the tapered portion are interposed by and continuously connected by a first curved portion, a flat portion and a second curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ichikawa, Tomonori Ohwaki, Hiroki Yamato
  • Patent number: 7004730
    Abstract: A shaft for use on in a mud pump having a shaft portion and a hub portion integrally formed with the shaft portion. The hub portion extends radially outwardly of the shaft portion. The shaft portion and the hub portion are machined from a single steel black. The hub portion has an end face with a plurality of bolt holes formed therein. The hub portion is attached to a sheave so as to receive the drive belt of a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Rowan Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6991546
    Abstract: A universal joint shaft for driving a roll of a rolling mill includes a connecting shaft, a first universal joint that is attached to a first end of the connecting shaft, a second universal joint that is attached to a second end of the connecting shaft, a coupling sleeve that includes a longitudinal axis that is connected to the first universal joint, which comprises a receiving bore with an opening for receiving a journal of a roll, wherein the receiving bore forms torque transmitting transmission faces, and which includes a first conical face that is arranged concentrically relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first conical face is provided for contacting a correspondingly designed first counter face at the journal of the roll, as well as a structure means by which the first conical face is loaded along the longitudinal axis towards the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Spicer Gelenkwellenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Rücker
  • Patent number: 6981800
    Abstract: The distance L15 in the axial direction between the surface on the axially outside end of the spline shaft 28a and the opening edge on the axially inside end of the center hole 15 of the hub 5 when the unit is installed, and more preferable the distance L16 in the axial direction between this surface on the axially outside end of the spline shaft 28a and the edge on the axially inside end of the spline hole 16, is greater than the distance L18 that the tripod 21 of the constant-velocity joint 18 on the differential side can move inward in the axial direction when installed in the automobile. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the spline shaft 28 from falling out of the center hole 15 even when the connection member 3 is damaged, and to maintain the spline connection between the spline shaft 28 and the spline hole 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Eishi Shibuya
  • Patent number: 6962209
    Abstract: A sod cutter (10) is disclosed including a frame (12) formed by welding the free edges of mount, frame and end plates (46a, 46b 46c) bent relative to one of two side plates (46) to the corresponding edges of the other side plate (48). An axle assembly (160) is pivotal relative to the frame (12) by a depth adjustment lever (198) between a working position where wheels (16) carried by the axle assembly (160) engage tubular members (168) slideably and nonrotatably received on a drive shaft (166) and a transport position where the wheels (16) are spaced from the tubular members (168). A U-shaped handlebar (210) is positionable between an operating position for grasping during operation and a storage position for lifting and handling. A U-shaped control (212) is pivotably mounted in front of and above the U-shaped handlebar (210) for actuating the throttle of the engine (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Isaman, Terrence R. Bondeson, Andrew Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6945608
    Abstract: A power takeoff assembly, a drive assembly, a saw and a kit for a saw include a drive plate and drive shaft, for example for mounting to a fly wheel, and a bell housing for mounting to an engine block and for supporting a sheave. The sheave rotates on bearings supported by a housing tube on the bell housing, and a coupler couples the drive shaft, which extends into the tube, to the sheave. Side loading and cyclical loading on the drive shaft are reduced, dimensions of the saw can be reduced and operation of the saw can be more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Baratta, Stan Peterson, Luciano Cuevas, Matt Farris
  • Patent number: 6942415
    Abstract: A shaft coupling assembly comprising a coupling element including a shaft-receiving slot configured to receive a shaft. A retaining bolt is extendable through the coupling element adjacent the shaft receiving slot and to be received and retained in a bolt receiving recess in the upper shaft surface adjacent the forward shaft end after the shaft forward end is inserted in the coupling element slot. At least one projection extends from the shaft forward end adjacent the shaft upper surface to prevent improper clamping of the shaft forward end and any associated feeling of proper interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Whitton, Harry Heilemann, Donald C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6928712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a driveshaft, and the driveshaft itself. The driveshaft (1) includes a first attachable part (2) with a first longitudinal axis (A1), a second attachable part (3) with a second longitudinal axis (A2) as well as a tube element (4) with a curvature which is production-caused. For joining purposes, the tube element (4) is held so as to intersect a reference axis (R) in two points of its center line (M). The first attachable part (2) with its first longitudinal axis (A1) and the second attachable part (3) with its second longitudinal axis (A2) are aligned on the reference axis (R). Thereafter, the attachable parts (2, 3) are welded to the tube ends of the tube element (4), with the radial gaps between the tube element (4) and the attachable parts (2, 3) being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 6912927
    Abstract: A worm shaft is provided with an intermediate worm thread section between first and second end structures, wherein at least one of the first and second end structures has a coupling structure for a desired extension of a plurality of modular worm shaft extensions. The desired extension and the intermediate worm thread section are both selectable based on the desired application, the desired gearing ratio, and other features. Accordingly, the multi-component worm shaft of the present technique increases flexibility, reduces manufacturing costs, and reduces inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Frederick Paul Eberle
  • Patent number: 6905280
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for rotationally immobilizing a hub on a rotatable shaft. A portion of the shaft is cylindrical and has a first diameter. The hub has a cylindrical axial bore having a second diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft. At least one axially-extending keyway is provided in the surface of the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into the hub bore, the hub is free to rotate upon the shaft. To immobilize the hub rotationally with respect to the shaft, at least one tapered key having a height greater than the maximum depth of the at least one keyway is inserted axially into the at least one keyway. Preferably, the at least one key is inserted along the at least one keyway to a point at which the maximum height of the at least one key is positioned at the axial midpoint of the hub bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Brunner, Joseph D. Godsey
  • Patent number: 6902508
    Abstract: A helicopter mainshaft for use with a plurality of planet gear assemblies includes an elongated shaft having first and second opposed ends and a midsection located between the first and second ends. The shaft defines a shaft axis extending through the first and second ends. A planetary plate is unitarily formed with the shaft and extends radially outwardly from the midsection relative to the shaft axis. A plurality of gear openings are defined in the planetary plate, each of the gear openings being adapted to engage a respective one of the planet gear assemblies to operatively couple the planet gear assemblies to the shaft such that the planet gear assemblies can impart rotational forces to the shaft about the shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Clayton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Stille, Rex Iwaskow
  • Patent number: 6893349
    Abstract: A torque transfer assembly having a first rotatable element with a first flange, a second rotatable element with a second flange, and an alignment assembly establishing a single coupled orientation for the first and second rotatable elements. First and second imbalance vectors, corresponding to the first and second rotatable elements respectively, each include a magnitude and direction relative to the reference axis which are in balancing alignment when the rotatable elements are in the coupled orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Krugman, Peter Thompson, Anthony R. Badolato, Ron Pewinski
  • Patent number: 6883604
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has first and second modular component sections, each of the sections having an outer housing and an inner shaft member. A coupling sleeve having a bore is disposed between the modular component sections and receives the shaft member of each of the component sections. The bore of the coupling sleeve and the shaft members having mating radial load transmitting shoulders for transmitting torque. An axial load transmitting shoulder is affixed to the shaft member of the first modular component section and located in the bore of the coupling sleeve. A locking element is carried by the shaft member of the second modular section and engages the axial load transmitting shoulder to secure the shaft members to one another for transferring axial tension from one of the shaft members to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John J. Mack, Earl B. Brookbank
  • Patent number: 6877927
    Abstract: A shaft coupler to connect two coaxial segments of a drive shaft. Each segment includes a tongue, which tongues complement each other to transmit torque and resist axial separation. A bearing surface on each tongue lies within the locking angle of their material so as to resist lateral separation of the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Weir Floway, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Paulin, Ross T. Gault
  • Patent number: 6855061
    Abstract: A weld between a tube yoke and a driveshaft tube can accommodate a greater amount of torsional shear stresses and, therefore, increase the load carrying capacity of a driveshaft assembly. The driveshaft assembly includes a yoke having a sleeve portion and a driveshaft tube having an end that extends about the sleeve portion of the yoke. The end of the tube is secured to the sleeve portion of the yoke by a weld having a shape that traverses multiple planes, such as a sinusoidal, saw-tooth, or square tooth shape. The weld occupies a greater area and, thus, has a greater surface contact between the sleeve portion of the yoke and the end of the driveshaft tube. The force vectors of the torsional shear stress sustained by the weld are in multiple planes. As a result, the force vectors of the torsional shear stress impinge the welds at different angles, and the weld has a greater load carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew R. Simboli
  • Publication number: 20040266538
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to rotational couplings that couple a rotor, or driven member, to a rotating shaft. The present invention reduces the stress within a rotational coupling by distributing a driving force from a coupling over a planar contact area on the rotor. The rotor is coupled to a rotating shaft via a coupling that can include a pin. The coupling includes a drive surface that is connected to, but radially separated from, the rotating shaft. An inner surface of the rotor includes at least one contact surface, and the coupling includes at least one drive surface. A portion of the coupling including the drive surface can be comprised of a stronger material than a portion of the rotor that includes the contact surface. The drive surface and the contact surface contacting over a planar contact area, over which the driving force from the shaft is distributed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Jihad J. Khoury
  • Publication number: 20040266539
    Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for an electromechanical apparatus is disclosed that possesses increased and long-lasting torque strength. The drive shaft assembly comprises a drive shaft that is inserted into an aperture in a plate via a cold staking process such that the outer surface of the drive shaft is in contact with an inner edge of the plate to form a frictional engagement. The drive shaft is then joined to the inner edge of the plate by laser welding, which serves to produce a rigid connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Delco Remy America, Inc., a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Ron Gentry, Ken E. Rummel, Rich VanSickle
  • Patent number: 6824471
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting a drive shaft in axial alignment with a motor shaft includes a coupling sleeve configured to engage an end portion of each of the motor shaft and the drive shaft. The coupling sleeve extends in the axial direction from a forward end proximate to the motor to a distal rearward end which is remote therefrom. A central bore extends through the coupling sleeve and includes a first end portion extending into the forward end of the sleeve having a size complementary to that of the end portion of the motor shaft. A second other end portion of the bore extends axially into the rearward end of the sleeve and has a size which is complementary to that of an end portion of the drive shaft. The sleeve is secured to the motor shaft and a jack or lifting ring is coupled to the drive shaft adjacent to the sleeve. The lifting ring includes an aperture sized to receive therein a connector which is movable into engagement with the coupling sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: S. A. Armstrong Limited
    Inventor: Aleksandar Kamenov
  • Patent number: 6811349
    Abstract: A retaining ring apparatus includes a C-ring and a groove within a shaft. The shaft groove has a tapered edge at one side thereof and the C-ring has at least one tapered surface, which is disposed in mating relationship with the tapered surface of the groove. The retaining ring apparatus is disposed within a larger structure, which has at least one mechanism for applying an axial force to the retaining ring to ensure the mating of the tapered surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Derril A. Loe, Teodor Mostior
  • Publication number: 20040190976
    Abstract: The system is of a type including a flange (5) and a set of conical internal rings (9) and external rings (8) combined to link by friction the flange to the shaft through the relative axial movement of the rings. Advantageously, the flange includes a rigid housing (7) with a cylindrical axial passage (7A) to receive coaxially the set of conical rings (8, 9) and define between the inner surface of the passage (7A) and the outer surface of the external ring (8) an annular space (10) in which can be engaged the end (2A) of the shaft and of which the external ring (8) is elastically and radially deformable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Emmanuel Mermoz
  • Publication number: 20040185947
    Abstract: A shaft body has an engagement portion with a slip-off preventing groove, and a positioning recess extending from the engagement portion. A shaft joint having an engagement groove to be engaged with the engagement portion and a bore facing the engagement groove is provided with a flexible member which is provided on an outer side in a longitudinal direction of the engagement groove to be engaged with the positioning recess. When an insufficient amount of engagement prevents engagement in the correct position, the engagement portion contacts with the flexible member and prevents the shaft body from engaging with the shaft joint. When canceling the coupling for maintenance, etc., the engagement of the flexible member with the positioning recess is cancelled by deflecting the flexible member in a width direction of the engagement groove. Consequently, the shaft body can be easily pulled out in a longitudinal direction of the engagement groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicants: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Kinme, Kenichi Aota, Tadakatsu Take
  • Patent number: 6792660
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a driveshaft assembly takes advantage of the asymmetrical nature of the driveshaft tube and end fittings to reduce the initial imbalance of the driveshaft assembly. The method includes the initial steps of providing a driveshaft tube having a heavy side and providing an end fitting having a heavy side. The heavy side of the end fitting is aligned so as to be opposite the heavy side of the driveshaft tube. Finally, the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are secured together. The dimensional characteristics of the driveshaft tube and end fitting improve the balancing capability of the driveshaft assembly by permitting levels of imbalance of the driveshaft assembly to be lowered and better-managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Breese
  • Patent number: 6789933
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a handheld or immersion blender including a coupling device (1) for separating the shank provided with a processing tool from the electrically powered drive part, with an upper coupling part (2) arranged on the drive part having locking elements and a lower coupling part (3) arranged on the tool shank having detent elements, which enable the coupling device (1) to be interlocked axially. In this arrangement the locking elements are formed by spring-loaded holding lugs (11) projecting radially outwardly, and the detent elements are formed by recesses (16) on the inner circumference of the lower coupling part (3), with the upper coupling part (2) being twistable relative to the lower coupling part (3), whereby a releasable coupling is obtained. An improved handheld or immersion blender is thereby made available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Sergi Gili, Antonio Rebordosa, Mariano Penaranda, Robert Rafols
  • Publication number: 20040152528
    Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly is provided that includes a shock absorbing section(s) that couples an outer shaft and an inner shaft that are mutually spline-engaged to be retractable with impact loads, wherein the shock absorbing section is constructed such that a supporting member is press-fit into an inner-diameter portion of the outer shaft, and an end face of the inner shaft is disposed in contact with the supporting member in the present invention relate to a direction of retraction with respect to the outer shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Yutaka Okude, Hirokazu Eda
  • Patent number: 6752560
    Abstract: A submersible pump assembly having first and second components that are coupled together has a removable externally splined sleeve. A key is located in the keyway between the shaft sleeve and the shaft for transmitting torque. A threaded fastener secures to a threaded hole extending inward from an end face of the shaft end coaxial with an axis of the shaft end. The fastener has a head that engages an outward facing shoulder of the shaft sleeve to releasably secure the shaft sleeve to the shaft. A coupling sleeve has internal splines that engage the external splined section of the shaft sleeve. The coupling sleeve is in engagement with a shaft end assembly of the second component for transmitting torque between the shafts of the first and second components. The head that of the fastener transmits axial loads between the shafts of the first and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Brown Lyle Wilson, Terry W. Shafer, John Jay Mack
  • Publication number: 20040082394
    Abstract: The propeller shaft comprises a transmission shaft 10 consisting of a hollow metal tube 11 with excellent torque transmissibility and a composite material prepregs 12 having higher specific stiffness than a metal material and stacked to the inner surface of the metal tube, and metal yokes 40 mounted on both ends of the transmission shaft and assembled with other devices. The composite material prepregs is co-cure bonded while applying an axial compressive preload to the transmission shaft and creating a vacuum in a space between a vacuum bag inserted in the transmission shaft and the composite material prepregs of the transmission shaft. Teeth 43 or embossments 44, and adhesive-retaining grooves 45 are formed on inner surfaces of the metal yokes, so the transmission shaft is desirably compression-fitted into the metal yokes. Accordingly, the propeller shaft has advantages of securing improved impact, abrasion, and water resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Dai Gil Lee, Jin Kook Kim, Hak Sung Kim, Jong Woon Kim
  • Patent number: 6726571
    Abstract: A driveshaft for a snowmobile has an elongated hollow tube having a longitudinal extent. The tube has a series of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending splines. Both ends of the tube each have an insert for journal mounting the tube. At least two sprockets are mounted on the tube in a spaced relation. Each of the sprockets has an inner hub which has an inner circumferential surface contoured to complementarily engage with the tube in a frictional fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Litens Automotive
    Inventors: Larry J. Ferriman, Peter J. Connelly, Terry P. Cleland
  • Patent number: 6725004
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus capable of being connected by sliding and transferring power when being connected. The apparatus has a first coupler having a plurality of first ribs protruding at an outer circumference of a body at a regular interval and a second coupler having a connection portion to embrace and be separated from the body of the first coupler, and a plurality of second ribs protruding at an inner circumference of the connection portion, the plurality of second ribs being connected between the plurality of first ribs, wherein each of front ends of the first ribs and the second ribs have sloping sides sloped in a predetermined direction, and the first ribs include a rib having a relatively longer length than the other ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeong-hwa Ahn, Joo-hwan Noh, Kyung-hwan Jang
  • Patent number: 6719637
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a bearing support for the primary drive shaft extension of a motorcycle or the like so that the main bearing support is as close to the drive mechanism as possible. In one embodiment, the shaft extension device comprises a shaft extension member configured to be attached to the shaft to rotate with the shaft. The shaft extension member includes a bearing surface disposed at a distance axially spaced from the shaft. A primary spacer is configured to be connected to the motor casing. A bearing is supported by the primary spacer to be axially spaced from the shaft and to contact the bearing surface of the shaft extension member to provide bearing support for the shaft extension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Paramount Custom Cycles
    Inventor: Aaron Greene
  • Publication number: 20040063506
    Abstract: A shaft has a shank with a splined portion and a large diameter portion formed in an outer peripheral surface of the shank, the large diameter portion having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of an external periphery of the splined portion. A tapered portion is provided at a side surface of the large diameter portion on the splined portion side. This tapered portion stops a fitting member that is fitted onto the splined portion. In addition, a cut back portion formed at an end portion of the splined portion at the large diameter portion side and the tapered portion are interposed by and continuously connected by a first curved portion, a flat portion and a second curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ichikawa, Tomonori Ohwaki, Hiroki Yamato
  • Publication number: 20040043821
    Abstract: A fitting member is provided with a base having a flat portion, a stopper protruding forward from the base, and a through hole provided in a flat portion, wherein a knob has a plurality of projections positioned on the same circle. In fitting the knob to the fitting member, when the knob is rotated while being pressed backward in a state in which the projections are kept in contact with the flat portion, the projections slice on and in friction with a flat face, and when the projections hit against the stopper and the rotation of the knob is stopped, the projections and the through hole become opposite each other. After the projections are fitted into the through hole, the knob and the fitting member are enabled to be coupled to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ushimaru
  • Patent number: 6685572
    Abstract: A shaft member 1 and an outer peripheral member 2 disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft member 1 are joined together by splines 3 through which the teeth 31 of the shaft member 1 and the teeth 32 of the outer peripheral member 2 are fitted together. At one axial end of each spline 3, a trough 31 in the tooth 31 of the shaft member 1 is diametrically increased to provide a diametrically increased region S1. In this diametrically increased region S1, there is defined a fit region F for the tooth 31 of the shaft member 1 and the tooth 32 of the outer peripheral member 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Makino, Kazuhiro Muramatsu, Kazuhiko Yoshida, Akira Wakita, Katsuyuki Ikei, Hisaaki Kura
  • Publication number: 20030224863
    Abstract: A weld between a tube yoke and a driveshaft tube can accommodate a greater amount of torsional shear stresses and, therefore, increase the load carrying capacity of a driveshaft assembly. The driveshaft assembly includes a yoke having a sleeve portion and a driveshaft tube having an end that extends about the sleeve portion of the yoke. The end of the tube is secured to the sleeve portion of the yoke by a weld having a shape that traverses multiple planes, such as a sinusoidal, saw-tooth, or square tooth shape. The weld occupies a greater area and, thus, has a greater surface contact between the sleeve portion of the yoke and the end of the driveshaft tube. The force vectors of the torsional shear stress sustained by the weld are in multiple planes. As a result, the force vectors of the torsional shear stress impinge the welds at different angles, and the weld has a greater load carrying capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew R. Simboli
  • Patent number: 6648540
    Abstract: A locating plate for locating a first piece of rotary machinery relative to a second piece of rotary machinery is provided. The plate has a first periphery surface for mating with a first receiving surface of the first piece of rotary machinery and a second periphery surface for mating with a second receiving surface of the second piece of rotary machinery. The plate also has at least one attaching device for use in attaching the plate to the first piece of rotary machinery and at least one removal device for use in removing the plate from the first piece of rotary machinery. The plate is removably attachable to the second piece of rotary machinery, and the second periphery surface is sizable independently from the first periphery surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Bruce William Brisson, Kieman Francis Ryan, Michael Earl Montgomery, Edward A. Dewhurst, Dennis Roger Ahl, Joseph Mark Serafini, Mark Steven Pape, Gary Edward Yehle
  • Publication number: 20030207715
    Abstract: A coupling member for a power transmission apparatus, connected to a fiber reinforced plastic cylindrical drive shaft, is comprised of a substantially cylindrical fitting portion to be press fitted into the drive shaft. The fitting portion is comprised of a serration portion formed in the axial direction on an outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion. The edge of the fitting portion has an inclined guide surface. The tip area of the guide surface is a guide portion with a smaller outer diameter than an inner diameter of an end portion of the drive shaft. An area between the guide portion and the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion is a cut away portion continuing from the serration portion. A tapering angle of the cut away portion is smaller than of the guide portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: HITACHI UNISIA AUTOMOTIVE, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Sugiyama, Katsuro Kawahara, Hirofumi Somekawa
  • Publication number: 20030186751
    Abstract: A method and arrangement using the drive device of a rod coating station to carry axial forces, in which the drive device includes at least a telescopic articulated shaft, at the first end of which is a changeable grooved rod and at the opposite end of which is the shaft of the drive motor. The rotation of the rod creates an axial force, which is cancelled by a counterforce from the articulated shaft side, which is brought to the end of the rod. The counterforce is brought to the rod through the articulated shaft from the drive motor side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pekka Koskela, Olli Koivisto, Ari Rantanen
  • Patent number: 6626763
    Abstract: A drive shaft for transmitting an engine revolution to a rear axle of a motor vehicle comprises, a first shaft comprising a first yoke fixed to an end of the first shaft, a second shaft comprising a second yoke fixed to an end of the second shaft. The second yoke being made of a metal plate by press-forming. A coupling is provided between the first yoke and the second yoke, the coupling having a high-rigidity in a rotating direction of the drive shaft and having an elasticity in an axial direction of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekazu Aoki, Naomi Morinaga
  • Patent number: 6623202
    Abstract: A driven tool includes a driven part which is rotatably driven by a drive part. The driven part and the drive part are coaxially arranged one inside of the other. The drive part and the driven part are conical as viewed in a longitudinal section plane containing the axis. The driven part includes driven teeth projecting generally radially with respect to the axis and received in respective radially-open recesses formed in the drive part. Each of the driven teeth makes contact with a wall of the respective recess at first and second contact places which are respectively situated on opposite sides of a generally radial line of symmetry of the driven tooth. The contact places are operable to transmit a drive force from the drive part to the driven part in respective directions of rotation. A driving angle in the range of −5° to +45° is formed at each contact place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Per Hansson, Sture Sjöö
  • Publication number: 20030130048
    Abstract: A production method involving forming an inner joint part of a constant velocity universal ball joint in the form of a hub member (11) which comprises a central through-aperture (14) with inner toothing (16) for receiving a shaft journal (12), and ball tracks (15) for receiving torque transmitting balls on the outer circumference, wherein a blank with largely finish-formed ball tracks is produced by non-chip-forming deformation; wherein, at the blank, outer surfaces and a smooth through-aperture (14) are finish-turned; and wherein, during simultaneous working stages, the ball tracks (15) are calibrated by non-chip-forming deformation and the inner toothing (16) in the through-aperture (14) is produced by pressing in a non-chip-forming way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Fuhrmann, Herbert Frielingsdorf, Volker Hainz, Jean Spolmayeur
  • Publication number: 20030125118
    Abstract: The present invention involves a laser-welded driveshaft and method of making same. The laser-welded driveshaft comprises a tube and a yoke laser welded to the tube. The tube has a driveshaft wall extending to an open end, wherein the wall has inner and outer surfaces. The yoke includes a tube-engaging pilot which is disposed through the open end and the yoke is laser-welded to the open end of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Suresh Raghavan, Mark L. Berns, Robert Dines, David M. Douglass
  • Patent number: 6582151
    Abstract: An attachment system, which couples an inboard constant velocity joint to a mating component, is disclosed. The system includes a stub shaft having an end portion and a first connector integrally formed with the end portion. The first connector includes a polygon-shaped cross-section and a first groove formed therein. A circlip is located in the first groove at the first connector. The system further includes a second connector, which engages the first connector and includes a sleeve which is sized to receive the first connector. The second connector is integrally formed within the mating component. The second connector also has a second groove formed therein which receives the circlip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Walter Hopson
  • Patent number: 6561912
    Abstract: A shaft, in particular a drive shaft, for transferring torques, includes a basic member made of an elastic first material, and connecting pieces shaped at their ends for being received by the basic member and prevented by positive engagement from rotating and displacing axially relative to the basic member. The connecting pieces are made of a second material which is inelastic or less-elastic than the first material or. The first and second materials are plastics which are crosslinked with one another at interfaces of the basic member and the connecting parts. The shaft is reliably functional while having a compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Manfred Link
  • Patent number: 6551191
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus (4) for connecting two rotatable shafts (2a, 3a) of a turbocompressor (1) includes a first and a second coupling part (4a, 4b) which form part of the shaft (2a, 3a) or are designed for firm connection to one end section of the shafts (2a, 3a) each. A third coupling part (4c) is designed in disc-shape and is arranged between the first and the second coupling part (4a, 4b). The first, second and third coupling part (4a, 4b, 4c) are firmly connectable to one another. The third coupling part (4c) has a section (41) which projects beyond the first or second coupling part (4a, 4b) in the radial direction and is designed as a bearing disc of an axial bearing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Man Turbomaschinen AG
    Inventors: Klemens Fisch, Adrian Hof, Roger Suter
  • Patent number: 6530715
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adding a velocity transducer to an electric motor, such as an elevator drive motor, includes mounting a shaft extension on an end surface of a motor shaft by drilling and tapping a bore at the shaft center as parallel as possible. A fastener with a bevel washer between a pair of flat washers attaches the extension to the motor shaft. With the fastener assembly snug, the extension is trued radially with a dial indicator. The bevel washer functions as a spring lock and distributes any off center clamping force produced from non-concentric hole drilling. A shoulder on the extension abuts the motor shaft end surface to maintain parallelism of the longitudinal axes of the shaft extension and the motor shaft. The shaft extension can be formed of an electrically nonconductive material to isolate the transducer from the drive equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: David P. Kraft, Richard J. Burke