Nonmetallic Patents (Class 464/83)
  • Patent number: 11767885
    Abstract: A coupling has: a first coupler rotatable about an axis and defining first connections distributed about the axis; a second coupler defining second connections distributed about the axis, the second connections offset from the first connections; and segments distributed about the axis and extending radially from the first connections to the second connections, a segment of the segments having a first end engaging a first connection of the first connections and a second end engaging a second connection of the second connections, the first end circumferentially offset from the second end, a face of the segment abutting against a face of the first coupler when the segment is inserted into the first connection in a first orientation such that a penetration depth of the segment into the first connection in the first orientation is less than the penetration depth in a second orientation opposite the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Mark Shields, David Menheere, Dennis Kim
  • Patent number: 11591079
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a drive tube and swashplate trunnion assembly. The drive tube and swashplate trunnion assembly includes a drive tube having a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the drive tube; a swashplate trunnion having a plurality of grooves formed on an inner surface of the swashplate trunnion, wherein individual grooves of the plurality of grooves on the swashplate trunnion mate with individual grooves of the plurality of grooves on the drive tube to form a plurality of channels; and a plurality of cylindrical bearings, wherein each of said cylindrical bearings is disposed within an individual channel of the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Ken Shundo, Bryan Baskin
  • Patent number: 11572881
    Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor including a rotary shaft, an impeller, and a casing, a motor including a motor rotor disposed coaxially with the rotary shaft, and a coupling shaft coupling the motor rotor to the rotary shaft. The compressor includes a compressor bearing that rotatably supports the rotary shaft, and a compressor connecting hub that is fixed to the rotary shaft at a position where the compressor connecting hub overlaps the compressor bearing in the axial direction and at a position on an inner side in the radial direction. The coupling shaft is allowed to alleviate misalignment with the compressor connecting hub. The compressor bearing rotatably supports an outer peripheral surface of the compressor connecting hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Nagao
  • Patent number: 11255383
    Abstract: A modular motor assembly structure is disclosed and configured to couple with a drive shaft of an application device. The drive shaft includes a receiving slot. The modular motor assembly includes a main body and a combination key. The main body includes a shaft hole and a key groove. The shaft hole includes an opening and a central axis. The key groove is disposed on a side wall around the shaft hole and parallel to a central axis of the shaft hole. The combination key has a front end and a rear end. When one end of the drive shaft is inserted into the shaft hole along the central axis of the shaft hole, the combination key is at least partially accommodated in the receiving slot, and the front end faces the key groove. The combination key has a continuously increasing thickness from the front end to the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Zi-Xuan Huang
  • Patent number: 10919587
    Abstract: A suspension system supports a chassis relative to a crawler mechanism including a continuous track. A link is rotatable about an axis extending transversely through a first portion. The first portion includes a projections extending radially inwardly, and peripheral openings defined by spaces between the projections. An axle member secured to the crawler mechanism includes peripheral shafts extending radially outward from the axis and positioned in an associated peripheral opening. Each resilient member is positioned within an associated peripheral opening and engages an associated peripheral shaft, damping movement of the peripheral shaft relative to the link. An auxiliary roller assembly includes a yoke and a plurality of auxiliary rollers coupled to the yoke. The yoke is rotatable relative to the crawler frame about a yoke axis. The auxiliary rollers are aligned along a direction of travel of the track and are configured to engage an inner surface of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Trent A. Luoma
  • Patent number: 8968108
    Abstract: A rotational and axial control spring includes a tubular casing, a shaft, and a plurality of elongated elastomeric members. The casing comprises a tubular cross sectional equilateral convex polygon shape, the tubular shape extending uniformly between a first and second casing end. The shaft is fabricated having a cross sectional shape mimicking the equilateral convex polygon casing shape, a series of exterior surfaces extending longitudinally between a first smaller end and second larger end, wherein the exterior surfaces form a square frustum shape. The elastomeric members are formed as cylindrical frustums. The shaft is inserted within the casing interior. Each elastomeric member is positioned contacting a respective shaft exterior surface and a pair of adjacent casing interior surfaces. The elastomeric members provide rotational spring with adjustable resistant force and dampening functions. The tapered features provide an axial retention function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. George
  • Patent number: 8485909
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for coupling two machine parts disposed coaxially to each other, in particular for coupling a cylindrical inner surface of a first machine part to a cylindrical outer surface of a second machine part, has a plurality of clamping bodies and a plurality of intermediate elements. The intermediate elements have higher elasticity than the clamping bodies and are disposed between adjoining clamping bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Paul Mueller GmbH & Co. KG Unternehmensbeteiligungen
    Inventor: Fritz Feldmeier
  • Patent number: 8096886
    Abstract: A shaft coupling has an input element adapted to be rotationally driven about an axis, an output element rotatable about the axis adjacent and limitedly relative to the input element, and an intermediate element rotatable about the axis adjacent and limitedly relative to both the input element and the output element. A first coupling assembly with progressive resistance to torque is fixed between one of the input and output elements and the intermediate element. A second coupling assembly with linear resistance to torque is fixed between the other of the input and output elements and the intermediate element such that torque is transmitted between the input and output elements through the coupling elements in series with each other in a single stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Centa-Antriebe Kirschey GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kirschey
  • Patent number: 8057199
    Abstract: A pump assembly constructed to allow unloaded starting of the pump. The assembly includes a pump body, a permanent magnet rotor, a rotor shaft, a pump cover, a shaft sleeve and an impeller. The impeller includes a holding chamber for holding the shaft sleeve which is arranged proximate a center of the impeller. A stopping rib extends inwardly from an internal wall of the holding chamber of the impeller. The shaft sleeve includes a tubular body with a starting rib extending laterally from the body. During operation of the pump, the starting rib interferes with the stopping rib. A number of shock absorbing pads are disposed between the starting rib and the stopping rib and maintained thereat by a notch and ridge association that extends along each rib and pad. The pump includes a space that allows rotation of the starting rib relative to the stopping rib which provides unloaded starting of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Jiangmen Idear Hanyu Electrical
    Inventors: Mingxue Li, Huashan Shi
  • Patent number: 8052535
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering shaft (3) is provided with: an inner shaft (11) and a tubular outer shaft (10) fitted into each other and to transmit a torque to and from each other; a rigid coupling element (25) for rigidly coupling the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) in a circumferential direction (C) of the inner shaft (11) when a relative rotation amount of the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) exceeds a predetermined range; and an elastic coupling element (36) for elastically coupling the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) in the circumferential direction (C) of the inner shaft (11) when the relative rotation amount of the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) is within the predetermined range. The elastic coupling element (36) includes a resin member (36). The inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) are elastically supported mutually via the resin member (36) at a central position of the predetermined range when no torque is loaded to the steering shaft (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Miyawaki
  • Publication number: 20110130210
    Abstract: A multi-rate torsional coupling (20) features parallel first and second drive connections (82 and 84) between input (24) and output (22) members. The first drive connection (82) extends through a first resilient coupling (38), and the second drive connection (84) extends through a second resilient coupling (40). An angular play coupling (70) engages the second drive connection (84) at a particular torque load for transmitting additional torque through the torsional coupling (20) at a higher spring rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: LORD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul J. Balczun
  • Publication number: 20110028224
    Abstract: A torque transfer coupling includes a shaft and a first second set of hydraulic devices. Each hydraulic device of the first set of hydraulic devices has a first end operably connected to a first end of the shaft, wherein the hydraulic devices of the first set of hydraulic devices are disposed about an axis of the shaft. Each hydraulic device of the second set of hydraulic devices has a first end operably connected to a second end of the shaft, and wherein the hydraulic devices of the second set of hydraulic devices are disposed about the axis of the shaft. Each hydraulic device can include a piston and cylinder assembly wherein extension and retraction of each piston of each hydraulic device is generally tangential to a portion of a circle encircling the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: MTS Systems
    Inventors: John A. Bushey, Martin M. Gram, Jay S. Warner, Zdenek Mestenhauser, Robert J. Orange
  • Patent number: 7794296
    Abstract: A method to assemble a marine drive system wherein an acceptable-unacceptable criterion on the torsional vibration of a shaft of the marine drive system is established based on the correlation between the torsional stiffness of a propeller shaft and the moment of inertia of a propeller. A desirable elastic coupling for the marine drive shaft is selected based on the criterion. The marine drive system is assembled by using a flywheel, a marine reverse and reduction gear, and an elastic coupling, whose property is changeable, lying between an input shaft of the marine reverse and reduction gear and the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Nakagawa, Toshio Imanaka
  • Publication number: 20090270185
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering shaft (3) is provided with: an inner shaft (11) and a tubular outer shaft (10) fitted into each other and to transmit a torque to and from each other; a rigid coupling element (25) for rigidly coupling the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) in a circumferential direction (C) of the inner shaft (11) when a relative rotation amount of the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) exceeds a predetermined range; and an elastic coupling element (36) for elastically coupling the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) in the circumferential direction (C) of the inner shaft (11) when the relative rotation amount of the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) is within the predetermined range. The elastic coupling element (36) includes a resin member (36). The inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (10) are elastically supported mutually via the resin member (36) at a central position of the predetermined range when no torque is loaded to the steering shaft (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Miyawaki
  • Publication number: 20090036221
    Abstract: A drive transmitting device includes: a rotational shaft having peripheral surface with a cut-off surface extending along an axial direction of the rotational shaft; a bearing member for supporting the rotational shaft, the bearing member being in slide contact with the peripheral surface of the rotational shaft; and a spacer which is mounted in a clearance formed between an inner circumferential surface portion of the bearing member and the cut-off surface of the rotational shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouji Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20080214314
    Abstract: A transmission joint for angularly connecting a first and a second member, and having a coupling member interposed functionally between the first and second member and extending about an axis; the coupling member has: a first portion connectable angularly to the first member, a second portion connectable angularly to the second member and located radially outwards of the first portion, and an intermediate portion interposed radially between the first and second portion and elongated in a direction crosswise to the axis; the intermediate portion of the coupling member has, from the first portion to the second portion, a first portion decreasing in thickness crosswise to the direction, and a second portion of constant thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Giuseppe Gasparini, Diego Scaltritti, Andrea Bianchi
  • Publication number: 20080153606
    Abstract: A force transmitting coupling for drivingly coupling winding devices of adjacent architectural coverings. The coupling includes first coupling member, a second coupling member, and mating engagement means on the first and second coupling members adapted to establish mating engagement between the first and second coupling member to transmit a drive force from one of the first and second coupling members to another of the first and second coupling members. The second coupling member includes a hub and the engaging means on the second coupling member are resiliently connected to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventors: Lars Koop, Jorg Bohlen
  • Patent number: 7329189
    Abstract: A flexible connector may include a tube having an open end and a lower end distal from the open end, an inner surface of the open end comprising a plurality of apices forming a substantially polygonal lower cross-section, an upper shaft having an insert end disposed insertably in the open end, an outer surface of the insert end comprising a plurality of substantially planer flats forming a substantially polygonal upper cross-section normal to the driven axis of rotation, the upper cross-section being substantially similar to the lower cross-section, and an elastic member disposed compressably between each of the flats and each of the apices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Alan Gustafson, Daryl Rubner
  • Publication number: 20070298888
    Abstract: A multi-rate torsional coupling (20) features parallel first and second drive connections (82 and 84) between input (24) and output (22) members. The first drive connection (82) extends through a first resilient coupling (38), and the second drive connection (84) extends through a second resilient coupling (40). An angular play coupling (70) engages the second drive connection (84) at a particular torque load for transmitting additional torque through the torsional coupling (20) at a higher spring rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: LORD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul J. Balczun
  • Patent number: 7195307
    Abstract: A hinge is provided suitable for attaching a hood to a car or truck. The hinge includes generally tubular members sharing a common axis of rotation. Elastomeric elements interposed between the tubular members provide isolation between the parts of the hinge. Relative rotation between the tubular members compresses the elastomeric elements creating a spring-force opposing the relative rotation. The hood, hinge, and vehicle may be configured so that the spring-force of the elastomeric elements assists in opening and/or closing of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Eric N. Tucker, Joseph F. Marrs
  • Patent number: 6918835
    Abstract: Two-step protruding portions are provided in a cover of a pulley for hooking the cover on the pulley. When a bridging part is broken, a driving-unit-side portion of the bridging part is outwardly displaced in a rotation axis direction of the pulley. The first-step protruding portion of the cover thereby slips out from a hooking state. However, after the driving-unit-side portion mounts on the driven-unit-side portion, no further force acts outwardly in the rotation axis direction. As a result, the second-step protruding portion of the cover is hooked on the pulley, so that the cover can be fixed to the pulley. This results in inhibiting broken bridging parts or dampers from dispersing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuichi Aoki, Yasuo Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 6875112
    Abstract: An elastic coupling having two coupling sections is provided. A first coupling section has a plurality of spaced-apart pockets disposed along an arc. Elastomeric elements are positively held in the pockets, and the second coupling section has projections that extend into the first coupling section respectively between two adjacent elastomeric elements. The elastomeric elements comprise two regions having different properties. The first region, which extends radially and is held in the pockets of the first coupling section via its ends, is more inherently stable than is the second region for the transmission of a peripheral force. The second region, which respectively faces one of the projections of the second coupling section, is more yielding than is the first region such that deformations can be introduced into the second region with the effect of a slight restoring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: A. Friedr. Flender GmbH
    Inventors: Michael te Uhle, Peter Gödde, Josef Fellinger
  • Patent number: 6846240
    Abstract: Disposed around a universal joint (12), which comprises a first and a second substantially rigid joint body (14, 28), is a rim (40) of loop-shaped flexible coupling elements (42), which are each looped around one first molded piece (50) and one second molded piece (52). The first molded pieces (50) are connected rigidly to a flange (22) on the first joint body (14) and disposed between second molded pieces (52). The second molded pieces (52) are connected firmly to a counter-flange (34), which forms part of a rotational body (62). The latter forms one end of a torque transmission chain, the other end of which is the second joint body (28). The first joint body (14) has a tubular piece (16), which encloses the second joint body (28) and has an outer lateral surface (18) of circular cross section, against which the flexible coupling elements (42) are supported in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: SGF Suddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Andrä
  • Patent number: 6808455
    Abstract: A torsional shock absorber dampens rotary shock loading on a well drill string. An outer housing has drive splines on an inner surface. A mandrel is located within the outer housing and has drive splines on an outer surface that fit between the drive splines on the inner surface of the housing. Dampening bars are positioned longitudinally between the splines of the outer housing and the splines of the mandrel to absorb shock from non-uniform torsional loading at the drive interface between the outer housing and the mandrel. A balancing piston is located within the tool to compensate for pressure difference between drilling fluid pressure and lubricant contained within the shock absorber. A thrust bearing assembly is provided to accept axial thrust loads from the outer housing and transfers the load to the splined mandrel. A retainer transfers tensile loads from the housing to the mandrel through the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Solorenko, Robert G. Miller
  • Patent number: 6508713
    Abstract: A coupling assembly adapted to connect an engine directly to a transmission, comprising in combination a flywheel adapted to be connected to the engine. A modified transmission plate for connecting the transmission to the flywheel is provided. The modified transmission plate has a plurality of connection ports that contain alternatively at least a first torsional dampener and at least a second torsional dampener that are positioned within the connection port. The first torsional dampener has a first indentation hardness that is less than the second indentation hardness of the second torsional dampener. The first torsional dampener is adapted to dampen engine idle vibrations and the second torsional dampener is adapted to dampen engine acceleration vibrations. Whereby, the first torsional dampener and the second torsional dampener reduce the emission of torsional vibrations between the engine and the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Kaye
  • Patent number: 6416416
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper with optimized damping characteristic includes a primary body (1), a secondary body (2), and a drag element which comprises at least one friction element with at least one pressure device, at least one catch and at least one elastic element. The elastic element has an elastomeric (5) in a cavity (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Rohs-Voigt Patentverwertungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohs, Hans Rohs, Dietmar Heidingsfeld
  • Patent number: 6296444
    Abstract: A prop rotor hub includes a constant velocity joint in the same plane as a prop blade yoke. Torque is transmitted from a shaft to the blades through the CV joint, hub plates attached to the CV joint, and the yoke, which is attached to the hub plates. Providing all elements in a substantially planar arrangement results in a hub assembly which has significantly less height than a traditional design. The hub itself is in-plane with the yoke, resulting in a more efficient torque transmission from the mast to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Ernst C. Schellhase, Willem Broekhuizen
  • Patent number: 6283867
    Abstract: An elastic shaft joint includes: a tube shaft; a shaft coaxially inserted in the tube shaft so that a predetermined axial region of the shaft overlaps with a predetermined axial region of the tube shaft; and a damper inserted between the predetermined axial region of the shaft and the predetermined axial region of the tube shaft for damping vibration and providing an elastic play in a rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Aota, Tooru Fujii, Hiroyuki Muraosa
  • Patent number: 6231450
    Abstract: A coupler for connecting first and second shafts has a male cross member pinned to the first shaft and a female body member clamped onto the second shaft. The female body member has a housing with internal splines interlocking with mating external splines on the cross member. A longitudinally split clamp has a sill portion integral with the female body member and a half clamp member engageable with the sill portion. The split clamp has a single locking bolt which reduces the time required for installation. The external splines are relieved at one end to allow the coupler to tolerate some misalignment between the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Korus
  • Patent number: 6200220
    Abstract: A slip coupling comprised of a hub with extending flexible vane(s). The vane(s) extend from the hub at an acute angle which allows them to flex when coming in contact with a relatively rotatable friction cylinder. The friction between the vane(s) and the friction cylinder creates resistance to movement. Relative motion between the hub and friction cylinder occurs only when the frictional force between them is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Chester Drew
  • Patent number: 6105558
    Abstract: A supercharger for a V-twin motorcycle engine comprised of a transmission portion and a blower portion is disclosed. A first embodiment includes a power take-off coupling having a drive gear rotationally engaged with a vertical drive shaft wherein the drive shaft is coupled to the blower's input drive via a pair of output drive ration selection gears. A second embodiment includes an alternative transmission structure wherein rotational transmission passes through a series of spur gears and a set of bevel gears. A set of quick-change gears to alter the gear ratio of the second embodiment is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: William Bushling
  • Patent number: 6012985
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling shafts has an inside coupling having an outer periphery and a center opening with a longitudinal axis which is adapted to receive the end of a driving shaft. An outside coupling has a center opening with an inner periphery, and is rotatably fitted over the outer periphery of the inside coupling. A plurality of arcuate notches are located in the outer periphery of the inner coupling and the inner periphery of the outer coupling and are adapted to register with each other in mating relationship wherein the mating notches present collectively a circular roller surface. A plurality of cylindrical rollers are rotatably mounted in the notches of the inside and outside coupling and serve to operatively join the inside and outside coupling for rotation together. The notches in the inside coupling have an arcuate portion capable of receiving the rollers in a nesting position without the rollers penetrating the notches in the outside coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sukup Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Eugene G. Sukup
  • Patent number: 5971859
    Abstract: A vibration canceler for use on the outer circumference of a shaft rotating about an axis and including two enlargements. The vibration canceler includes half-shells which can be pressed on to the outer circumference of the shaft. The half-shells are joined to at least two inertial masses formed as circle segments by elastic elements which are deformable in a circumferential direction. The inertial masses are joined together by retaining elements. The inertial masses are hingedly joined by link elements and can be restrained in a ring shape by at least one lock element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Walter Runge, Gerald Bohm, Arno Hamaekers, Andreas Olbrich
  • Patent number: 5950778
    Abstract: An isolation coupling which provides for isolation of torsional vibration, from a drive component to a drive component, such as a driven shaft, due to non-constant drive forces. The vibration isolation coupling includes a drive assembly connected to the drive component, and a driven assembly connected to the driven component. The drive assembly and the driven assembly are axially aligned, such as being mounted on the shaft of the drive component for example. A member, having torsional compliability, interconnects the drive assembly to the driven assembly. Accordingly, vibrations imparted to the drive assembly are isolated from the driven assembly by such torsional compliability of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gregory P. Mahoney, Michael H. Green, Christopher B. Liston
  • Patent number: 5876287
    Abstract: A dual-rate drive coupling (20) for use in transmitting drive torque between drive and driven members. The first torque rate is near zero for no-load and near no-load conditions. A pair of flexible elastomeric arms (24, 26) which is preferably bonded to the inner member (22) are received in recessed portions (44, 46) in the outer member (40) and provide the coupling with this first very low torque rate. When higher torque loading produces a relative rotation between the outer member (40) and the inner member (22) of at least about 15.degree., a pair of snubbing arms (28, 30) of the inner member (22) interact with surfaces of openings (48, 50) of the outer member (50). The contact surfaces of these second snubbing arms (28, 30) are coated with an elastomer to snub all contact between the inner member (22) and the outer member (40) to inhibit vibration induced rattling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Barickman
  • Patent number: 5788576
    Abstract: A decoupling device comprising first and second coaxial elements in mutual rotary driving engagement and including resilient decoupling means enabling relative angular displacement for decoupling purposes between the first and second elements. The decoupling members comprise at least one fin carried by the first element and at least one first and one second abutment carried by the second element and angularly spaced apart one from the other, and at least one first and one second resilient device interposed between the fin(s) and the first and second abutments, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventor: Herve Varin
  • Patent number: 5735746
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper with an outside ring and an inside ring which surround each other and are connected to each other with rotational elasticity by way of spokes which can be deflected in the circumferential direction. The spokes are non-deformable and are connected with the inside ring and with the outside ring by way of intermediate layers made of rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Terry Colford
  • Patent number: 5709605
    Abstract: A shaft coupling between telescopically overlapped ends of a first shaft and a second shaft including a plurality of inside linear grooves in the first shaft, a plurality of outside linear grooves in the second shaft cooperating with the inside linear grooves in defining a plurality of linear cylindrical passages between the first and the second shafts, and an elastomeric bearing in each of the linear cylindrical passages consisting of a pair of barrel-shaped lugs at opposite ends of an integral beam spring. The barrel-shaped lugs couple together the first and the second shafts for unitary rotation about and for relative linear translation in the direction of a longitudinal centerline of the shaft coupling. The inside and outside grooves bear tangentially against the barrel-shaped lugs. The beam springs maintain substantially zero angular lash between the first and the second shafts by resiliently tipping the barrel-shaped lugs endwise in the linear cylindrical passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kremer Riefe, James Richard Salois, Donald Henry Mashue
  • Patent number: 5692591
    Abstract: An armature assembly (4 or 15) for an electromagnetic coupling device has a stop plate (9), rubber dampers (11) and an armature (12). Stop plate (9), which is formed in a press from a single steel plate, has a boss (9b), flanges (9c) and a periphery wall (9a). The periphery wall (9a) reinforces the stop plate (9) and forms damper covers (9e) on the ends of the flanges (9c). The damper covers (9e) have a wall surface (9d) that surrounds the damper chamber except for an opening on one side of the damper cover facing toward the boss (9b). A rubber damper (11) with a torque pin (10) is mounted in each damper cover (9e). An armature (12) is secured to the torque pins (10) by staking. The opening in one side of the damper cover permits the rubber damper 11 adjacent to the opening to move toward the torque pin (10) when that portion of the rubber damper is subjected to a tension force. This movement of the rubber damper (11) reduces the maximum stress in the damper and increases damper life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 5690554
    Abstract: A torsion damper for a clutch disc is disposed in window holes provided in power input and output rotating elements of the clutch disc, for elastically coupling the power input and output rotating elements in a direction of their rotation. The torsion damper includes a pair of seat elements (11) and a rubber element (12) therebetween. In one embodiment, the rubber element (12) is positioned between both the seat elements (11) and is capable of expanding and contracting. The rubber element includes a projection (20) and a through-hole (16) is provided in each of the seat elements (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Imanaka, Yasuyuki Hashimoto, Hiroshi Teramae
  • Patent number: 5630758
    Abstract: The torsional flexible connection has two coaxial flanges or discs equipped with sets of equidistant radially or axially protruding blades which are interdigitated to form a plurality of wedge-shaped chambers whose sides intersect at the axis of the connection, all or some of which receive torque-transmitting flexible inserts which transmit force and rotation to one of the flanges/discs in response to the force and rotation transmitted from the other flange/disc or vice versa. Each insert is comprised of two or several elements of a streamlined shape placed at different distances from the axis, so that the dimensions of these elements in the direction of transmitted payload are proportional to their distances from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Evgeny I. Rivin
  • Patent number: 5591083
    Abstract: To facilitate assembly of a shaft coupling, a sleeve is provided with a polygon configuration either on the hub or in the polygonal opening of the drive side flange and is axially slidable in the matching polygon. Where the sleeve surrounds the hub, it is braced inwardly by the elastically compressible bodies between the sleeve the outer polygon. Where the sleeve fits against the outer polygon, it forms a cage retaining the elastically compressible bodies against a hub on the shaft for insertion into the opening in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Centa-Antriebe Kirschey GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kirschey
  • Patent number: 5573461
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper with an outside ring and an inside ring which surround each other and are connected to each other with rotational elasticity by way of spokes which can be deflected in the circumferential direction. The spokes are non-deformable and are connected with the inside ring and with the outside ring by way of intermediate layers made of rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Terry Colford
  • Patent number: 5558592
    Abstract: An accessory drive for attachment to the end of a shaft. The drive comprises a belt pulley, a carrier with at least a first and a second planet wheel that are strongly coupled and which have differing numbers of teeth, the first planet wheel being in engagement with a first gear circulating along with the shaft, and the second planet wheel with a second gear that is rotatable relative to the shaft, an activatable and deactivatable brake being provided between a continuously stationary part and a part capable of relative rotation, and a freewheel to prevent backward relative rotation of the second gear with respect to the end of the shaft. The first and second gears are arranged radially inside the carrier, such that the freewheel is arranged between the carrier and the part capable of relative rotation and the belt pulley at least partially surrounds the freewheel, the carrier, and the brake radially and externally, and so that the belt pulley and carrier are joined in rotary engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Herwig Honlinger, Hans-Gerd Eckel, Jurgen Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 5545089
    Abstract: A two-stage shaft coupling has inner elastomeric bodies between polygonal surfaces of a hub and an opening in the flange and outer coupling members which come into play subsequently in windows elongated in the direction of rotation and spaced around the axis in the flange. The two sets of coupling elements are not axially offset to provide a relatively flat shaft coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Centa-Antriebe Kirschey GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kirschey
  • Patent number: 5474499
    Abstract: A flexible drive shaft coupling with two stage torsional flexibility. The exible drive shaft coupling allows axial, radial, and bending misalignment of the input and output shafts while vibrationally isolating the shafts from one another. At low torque, power is transmitted from the input shaft through an elastomeric ring to the output shaft. At higher torque the elastomeric ring is deformed to allow contact between a less resilient snubber assembly and a drive plate mechanically connected to the output shaft. Power is transmitted through less resilient snubber assemblies which provide for greater power transmission. The axis of the coupling can be provided with a flexible spool assembly to allow transmission of exhaust mass from the input shaft to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Stanley J. Olson
  • Patent number: 5435784
    Abstract: A marine drive for coupling a marine engine drive ring to a transmission drive shaft. A spider drive engages the drive ring and is provided with a plurality of rubber-cushioned trapezoidal lugs. The drive shaft is held in the spider drive by a central locking hub which is drawn tightly onto the drive shaft due to the tapered aperture in the spider drive. Wear-causing slippage of the drive shaft is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Theodore Mark
  • Patent number: 5374219
    Abstract: An outer ring for a vibration proof homokinetic joint has inner and outer casings. Vibration proof members made of an elastic material are disposed between the inner and outer casings. The outer casing is formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof with protrusions angularly spaced therebetween. The inner casing is formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof with grooves angularly spaced therebetween to receive the protrusions therein with predetermined gaps formed therebetween and extending in the direction of rotation of the joint. The vibration proof members are mounted between the adjacent protrusions and between the inner peripheral surface of the outer casing and the outer peripheral surface of the inner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kohara, Katsumi Furutani, Takashi Nozaki, Isao Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 5372548
    Abstract: A longitudinal and rotary vibration dampener or shock absorber for rotary and percussion drill bits comprises a resilient element to absorb axial compression loads, preferably in a compression mode; a resilient element to absorb axial tension loads, preferably in a compression mode; resilient elements to absorb torque loads in clockwise and counterclockwise directions preferably in a compression mode; radial guide surfaces for long wear between the driver and the driven members and preferably spaced apart axially to resist bending couple loads applied across the two members during operation; and a seal and surface to allow passage of air or other fluid through the unit during operation. All resilient elements, guide members, and seals are readily replaceable in the field. The unit is structurally sound and enclosed and is attachable to the drilling rig drive head and drill pipe or to the drill pipe and bit as the case may be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: William I. Wohlfeld
  • Patent number: 5366411
    Abstract: A flexible coupling in which segmented elastomeric coupling elements are fixed to radially extending from immovable flanges on annular inner and outer coupling members by a fastening system. A plurality of bushes in the elastomeric elements receive bolts extending from movable clamping plates to the immovable flanges to hold the elastomeric elements in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Graham E. Harpin