Extending Between Radially Overlapping Surfaces On Driving And Driven Members Patents (Class 464/89)
  • Patent number: 12152638
    Abstract: A power transmission device of a steering apparatus includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and an intermediate member. The first coupling member includes a first large-diameter portion that radially protrudes and a first coupling hole formed at the central portion of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second large-diameter portion radially protruding at a location corresponding to the first large-diameter portion and a second coupling hole formed in the central portion of the second coupling member. The intermediate member includes an insertion end coupled between the first large-diameter portion and the second large-diameter portion and an elastic protrusion that is elastically deformable. The intermediate member is coupled between the first and second coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sungjune Moon
  • Patent number: 11931866
    Abstract: An abrasive tool comprises an arbor having a body formed with an internal bore, a mounting plate disposed on the arbor, a cover plate, an abrasive article disposed between the mounting plate and the cover plate, and at least one internal resilient member disposed within the internal bore of the arbor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC., SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIFS
    Inventor: Samuel H. Odeh
  • Patent number: 11879536
    Abstract: In one aspect, a rotary device is provided, and includes a shaft adapter, a chambered member, a seal member and at least one internal torque transfer member. The shaft adapter is connectible to a crankshaft or accessory shaft and defines an axis. The chambered member (e.g. a pulley) is rotatably connected to it, and at least partially encloses a chamber (e.g. for oil), and includes a circumferential portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall which is a separate member from the circumferential portion. One of the circumferential portion and the second side wall has projections thereon, and the other has valleys that mate with the projections with no clearance, so as to be able to transfer a torque of at least 10 Nm into one another without plastic deformation. A seal member is compressed between the second side wall and the circumferential portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdul Wadood Anwer, Frank Verriet, Sean Kieran, Andrew Malcolm Boyes
  • Patent number: 11839900
    Abstract: A screen drive for a mobile material processing screen which can be at a travel width without having to fold or disable the screen drive. The screen drive system includes a drive motor, which is tucked at least partially under the vibrating screen; a sheave, having a double row ball bearing being supported by a shaft; a belt, coupling sheave and drive motor; a drive shaft coupled to a first universal joint, and a second universal joint, which is coupled to an opposing end of the drive shaft and to sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Terex USA, LLC
    Inventors: Rex Mikle Carter, Michael Peter Stemper, Alexander Evan Ross, Ryan Anthony Mumm
  • Patent number: 11628879
    Abstract: A power transmission device of a steering system. A first connector includes a cylindrical first support coupled to one of coaxial first and second shafts and first coupling portions extending axially from inner circumferential portions of the first support. A second connector includes a second support coupled to the other of the first and second shafts and fitted into the first support and second coupling portions extending axially from outer circumferential portions of the second support. A damper includes outer support recesses provided in outer circumferential portions thereof, with the first coupling portions being fitted into the outer support recesses, and inner support recesses provided in inner circumferential portions thereof, with the second coupling portions being fitted into the inner support recesses, wherein the damper is coupled between the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seok Ki Song, Heung Ju Kim, Jong Han Kim
  • Patent number: 11608861
    Abstract: Transmitting torque from a housing to a drive shaft by configuring contact surfaces between a housing and shaft to increase the transmission of torque. Tools such as drilling tools often require torque to be transmitted from a rotating housing to a driveshaft. This is often accomplished through threaded connections or splines. A threaded connection can be used to transmit torque by allowing two pieces to be securely joined by rotating and tightening to a specified torque. A splined connection can also be used to transmit torque, providing sufficient clearance for one member to slidingly receive the other without rotating and torqueing. A tapered polygon may be used to transmit torque that by virtue of tapering can take up clearances between the torque carrying components. As such, the tapered polygon does not introduce significant stress concentrations into the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Fraser A. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11125121
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system including a first camshaft phaser having an input that is configured to receive rotational force from a crankshaft and an output that is configured to link with a first camshaft of a concentric camshaft assembly to change the angular position of the first camshaft relative to a crankshaft; and a second camshaft phaser having an output that is configured to link with a second camshaft of the concentric camshaft assembly to change the angular position of the second camshaft relative to the crankshaft, wherein the first camshaft is concentrically positioned to the first camshaft and the first camshaft phaser is mechanically linked to the second camshaft phaser to communicate rotational force from the crankshaft to the second camshaft phaser through the first camshaft phaser and the mechanical link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: Chad McCloy, Xiaoyu Lu
  • Patent number: 11067116
    Abstract: The ball socket assembly includes a housing with at least one open end and with an inner surface that surrounds an inner bore which extends along a central axis. The ball socket assembly also includes a ball stud that has a ball portion and a shank portion. The ball portion is disposed in the inner bore of the housing and has an outer diameter which is in a spherical fit relationship with the inner surface of the housing. The shank portion of the ball stud extends out of the inner bore through the at least one open end of the housing. The ball portion is out of contact with any bearings on opposite axial sides of the ball portion such that the ball stud is able to move along the central axis relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventor: Roger Sellers
  • Patent number: 10738871
    Abstract: A roller pinion for rotating about a central axis generally includes a core having an axial bore at its center for mounting on a drive shaft and recesses extending the length of the core. The recesses define faces with a plurality of regularly distributed sectors extending between them. The roller pinion also includes a cage associated with a plurality of rollers. The cage extends around the outer peripheral surface of the core, and presents, facing the outer peripheral surface of the core, a concentric spherical inner surface that faces the recesses of the core. Protuberances are provided that extend into the recesses. The protuberances have faces positioned parallel to and facing the faces of the recesses. Metal strips arranged in bundles with elastomer material interposed between the strips are inserted in a space between the respective faces of one recess in the core and one protuberance of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Vaslin, Laurent Mallet, Frédéric Ivaldi, Frédérik Giraud, Mathieu Daffos
  • Patent number: 10563729
    Abstract: A cycloidal differential includes a driven body and a first cycloidal drive having a first input member rotationally fixed to the body and a first output member configured to connect with a first half shaft. The differential further includes a second cycloidal drive having a second input member rotationally fixed to the body and a second output member configured to connect with a second half shaft. An eccentric shaft, of the differential, extends through the driven body and is connected between the first and second cycloidal drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Guihui Zhong
  • Patent number: 10550878
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow drive shaft for a vehicle may include swaging one of a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube having a same diameter to reduce an outer diameter thereof and thus allow the swaged hollow tube to be assembled in a remaining hollow tube of the first hollow tube and the second hollow tube, assembling the hollow tube that is reduced in outer diameter in the remaining hollow tube, thereby forming a hollow shaft, and joining first and second stems to both sides of the hollow shaft, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jang Ho Kim, Sung Su Yoo
  • Patent number: 10458237
    Abstract: A motor includes a shaft rotatable about an axis, an engaged component engaged by the shaft, a sleeve fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith, and a seal at least partly circumscribing the shaft. The shaft includes an engagement region presenting a substantially variable outer shaft surface that at least in part engages the engaged component. The sleeve includes a first section that at least partly circumscribes and engages the engagement region of the shaft. The first section of the sleeve presents an outer seal-engaging surface and an outer bearing-engaging surface. The seal and the bearing each at least partly circumscribe the engagement region of the shaft and the first section of the sleeve to engage the seal-engaging surface and the bearing-engaging surfaces, respectively, of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua M. Biro, William D. Moore, Philip S. Johnson, Jeffrey M. Hutsler, Paul G. Michaels, Daniel E. Hilton
  • Patent number: 10377396
    Abstract: The invention is an amusement-park device, comprising a rail-guided route course and at least one vehicle guided on the rail, which vehicle has a brake apparatus having at least one, preferably two brake pads fastened to a brake-pad carrier, which brake pads are provided for braking or clamping the vehicle at a point of the rail-guided route course during a braking event. According to the invention, the brake apparatus has a brake carrier and/or the at least two brake pads can be pivoted in relation to the stationary bike carrier. The vehicle equipped with such a brake apparatus can follow unevenness in the rail-guided route course in a simple manner, resulting in reliable braking behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: MACK RIDES GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Becherer, Timo Lässle
  • Patent number: 10350615
    Abstract: A centrifuge (10) comprising a housing (12), a rotor (32), a safety vessel (26) in which the rotor (32) is supported on a drive shaft (37) extending through the safety vessel (26) and a centrifuge cover (16) limiting an inner space (24) of the housing (12), wherein the safety vessel (26) is provided in the inner space (24), a gaseous coolant enters the inner space (24) via a suction opening (20), flows through the inner space (24), thereby guided laterally past the safety vessel (26) and at least sectionally past the drive motor via the rotor (32), and laterally exits the inner space (24) of the housing (12) through an outlet opening (46). The invention is characterized by a channel (41) being provided for the gaseous coolant, running around the safety vessel (26) at least in part and formed by the safety vessel (26) and at least one flow guidance (40), provided in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ANDREAS HETTICH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus-Guenter Eberle, Matthias Hornek, Robert Hegele
  • Patent number: 10274018
    Abstract: A motor connection structure may be configured for coupling a rotor of a motor and an engine clutch retainer in the hybrid transmission. An example motor connection structure includes a damping unit coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the retainer in an axial direction of the rotor on an inner side of the rotor and supporting each of (i) the outer circumferential surface of the retainer, (ii) an inner circumferential surface of the rotor, and (iii) a coupled portion of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hong Seok Yang
  • Patent number: 10018264
    Abstract: A gear includes a gear body and a first gear tooth. The gear body extends radially between an outer portion and an inner portion. The first gear tooth has a first tooth portion, a second tooth portion, and a first slot. The first tooth portion extends radially from the outer portion towards a first land. The second tooth portion is circumferentially spaced apart from the first tooth portion and extends radially from the outer portion towards a second land. The first slot is defined between the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion and extends from at least one of the first land and the second land towards a first slot root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam W. Lee, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Keith A. Kidder, Niklaus A. von Matt
  • Patent number: 10001206
    Abstract: A tolerance ring is arranged between an output-side rotary shaft and a rotor shaft. For this reason, even when looseness in a spline fitting portion of the output-side rotary shaft and rotor shaft is not filled, both the output-side rotary shaft and the rotor shaft are held by the tolerance ring so as not to rattle. Therefore, it is possible to reduce tooth hammer noise that occurs in the spline fitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Fujii, Yuji Yasuda, Atsushi Tabata, Haruhisa Suzuki, Koichi Okuda, Hiroyuki Tateno
  • Patent number: 9534684
    Abstract: A shift device for a motor vehicle transmission, in particular for a motor vehicle automatic transmission, includes a shift shaft operatively connected to the transmission and a shift lever for actuating the shift shaft, wherein the shift shaft and the shift lever are connected to one another by way of a spline connection. The spline connection is formed with rotational play, permitting a restricted rotational free travel of the shift shaft when the shift lever is stationary. A motor vehicle transmission having a shift device of this type is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Rupert Wagner
  • Patent number: 9199663
    Abstract: A rack-driven auxiliary power steering apparatus prevents a ball nut and a nut pulley from idling due to a slip thereof and increases durability when the drive belt is operated by driving of a motor, and minimizes vibrations and noise transferred through the rack bar, the ball nut, and the nut pulley when the rack bar is slid while the nut pulley and the ball nut are rotating, thereby providing a comfortable steering feeling to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dae Hee Jung, Hong Yong Bhae
  • Patent number: 8992335
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint including an outer race having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface including a plurality of outer bail tracks. The constant velocity joint also includes an inner race having a plurality of inner ball tracks which correspond to the outer ball tracks, a ball cage disposed between the outer race and the inner race, a plurality of balls arranged within the ball cage and contacting the outer ball tracks and the inner ball tracks. A damping assembly is connected to the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Cassell
  • Patent number: 8919506
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vibration absorber for a drive train of a motor vehicle, including an internal carrier which can be rotated around a rotation axis, a mass ring which is coaxial to the internal carrier and which is arranged at a radial distance from the internal carrier, and a plurality of spring elements which connect the internal carrier and the mass ring to each other. The mass ring has at least one radial profile formation on the inner circumferential surface thereof to provide sliding support in the circumferential direction and is provided with an elastomeric damping layer arranged between the internal carrier and the mass ring, the layer being designed such that the mass ring slides at least in the region of the at least one radial profile formation thereof in the circumferential direction on the internal carrier during a relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SGF Sueddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johann Loew, Franz Kobus
  • Publication number: 20140205455
    Abstract: A damper is disposed between an outer peripheral surface of a bushing and an inner peripheral surface of an inner hub. The damper includes a first portion facing a rib of the bushing, a second portion facing a rib of the inner hub, and a connection portion by which the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other. In a state in which a rotational force has not been applied between the bushing and the inner hub, the damper includes a cross-sectional shape that defines a deformation-absorbing space positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The deformation-absorbing space is deformed such that the first portion approaches the second portion in a state in which the rib of the bushing and the rib of the inner hub have moved relatively by application of a rotational force between the bushing and the inner hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yohei KUROKI
  • Patent number: 8715093
    Abstract: A driveshaft assembly having a tubular shaft, an end component, and an annular anti-fretting spacer is disclosed. The tubular shaft has a first receiving end portion with an opening and an inner diameter, a center portion with an inner diameter, and an interior with an inner surface. The driveshaft end component has an insert end portion and an attachment end portion. The spacer has a first outer diameter that is substantially equal to the receiving end portion inner diameter, a second outer diameter, and an outer surface. At least a portion of the outer surface contacts the shaft inner surface and the spacer is disposed on the insert end portion of the driveshaft end component and the insert end portion, including the spacer, is disposed within the receiving end portion with an interference fit, and the shaft is rigidly coupled to the driveshaft end component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Automative Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. O'Neil, Jeffrey Allan Dutkiewicz, Johnny Neal Smith
  • Patent number: 8595934
    Abstract: A method of producing a composite body, such as a gear wheel or torsional vibration damper, including a radially inner hub body provided with outer profiles, a surrounding outer body provided with inner profiles, and an intermediate layer of synthetic resin material which connects the outer profiles of the hub body with the inner profiles of the outer body; the hub body being with an inner contour adapted to mount the composite body on a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Derse
  • Patent number: 8517845
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper which comprises of a hub 12 having a central hole 3 to be inserted on the crankshaft and being formed to have a recess opened on one side, a disc 4 extending from the hub 2, a rim 5 being bent and extending from the periphery of the disc 4, a rubber layer 6 attached on the outer surface of the rim 5, and a ring member 8 or pulley inserted on the outer surface of the rubber layer 6, wherein a polygonal recess 10 is formed on the connecting area between the hub 2 and the disc 4 so that the polygonal recess 10 surrounds the hub 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Fukoku Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Woo Shin
  • Patent number: 8460114
    Abstract: A rotary elastic coupling is fitted with an inner ring and with an outer ring surrounding the inner ring around the periphery by forming an annular slit. An elastomer is provided in the annular slit, which is vulcanized or glued to the inner ring and to the outer ring and fills up the annular slit substantially or completely. The annular slit is meander-shaped around the periphery of the coupling so that radially outward protrusions of the inner ring undercut radially inward protrusions of the outer ring. Around the periphery of the coupling, a relief opening is provided in the elastomer on both sides of the protrusions of the inner ring and on both sides of the protrusions of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Markus K. Becker, Peter Frohs, Maik Marcinkowski, Michael Holzapfel, Michael Bachmann, Michael Jaros
  • Patent number: 8313400
    Abstract: A damped isolator comprising a first hub, a first pulley connected to the first hub, a bearing carrier connected to the first hub, an elastomeric member engaged with the first hub, a one-way clutch engaged with the elastomeric member, a bearing received by the bearing carrier, a second hub engaged with the one-way clutch and the bearing, and a second pulley connected to the second hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Lin Zhu, Matthew Kramp, Imtiaz Ali, Dean Schneider
  • Patent number: 8262520
    Abstract: A pulley assembly has a first body to engage a power transmission belt. The first body is rotatable around a first axis. A second body is movable relative to the first body around the first axis. First and second axially spaced elastic members each has a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. One of: (a) the radially inner portions of the first and second members; and (b) the radially outer portions of the first and second members are: (i) coupled to move together around the first axis; and (ii) each movable relative to the first and second bodies around the first axis. The other of: (a) the radially inner portions of the first and second members; and (b) the radially outer portions of the first and second members are fixedly coupled, one each to the first and second bodies, to follow movement of the first and second bodies around the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Shimamura, Chikara Kayamuro
  • Publication number: 20120100919
    Abstract: Torque transmission device 910 for the vibration-reduced transmission of torques via at least one shaft, having: a drive element 912 and a driven element 914 connected to the drive element 912, there being formed between the drive element 912 and the driven element 914 at least one damping arrangement which connects the drive element 912 to the driven element 914 such that they can rotate relative to one another, the damping arrangement having a stepped progressive characteristic with increasing relative rotation between drive element 912 and driven element 914.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: SFG Süddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim ROTHE, Steffen JERYE
  • Publication number: 20120021841
    Abstract: A flexible shaft having square or helical square tips with thermoplastic felt covering and adherent to the tips including the tip ends. The felt has fused bulges adjacent the ends. When the tips are inserted into mating recesses of driving and driven members, the felt is deformed to improve the fit between the tips and the recesses and reduce noise and vibration when the driving member is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Tat M. Yuen, Kunjal Oza
  • Patent number: 8070632
    Abstract: A torsional compensator having an inner hub, an outer sprocket, left and right grippers, and a resilient torsion sleeve. The torsion sleeve occupies a generally annular cavity between the inner hub and outer sprocket and each end of the sleeve is coupled to a gripper. One gripper is coupled to the inside of the outer sprocket and the other gripper is coupled to the outside of the inner hub and they are axially spaced apart. The inner hub supports the outer sprocket for coaxial rotation thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Jing Yuan
  • Patent number: 7867098
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint comprising an inner hub (1) and an outer hub (6) inside which tracks are disposed that are associated with each other in pairs. At least one ball is arranged in each track in order to transmit torque between the inner hub and the outer hub. The ball-and-socket joint further includes at least one diaphragm which seals the outer hub with respect to a joining element that can be connected in a torsion-proof manner to the inner hub. The outer hub is provided with a metallic interior element encompassing the tracks, a dampening element which embraces the interior element in at least some areas, and a cap that embraces the damping element in at least some areas in order to connect the outer hub to a driving part or a part to be driven. The damping element is made of a material having a modulus of elasticity lower than the modulus of elasticity of the metallic material of the interior element and/or the cap of the outer hub while being greater than the modulus of elasticity of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Jacob, Martin D. Jacob
  • Patent number: 7806771
    Abstract: A flexible solid plastic torque transmitting insert component having a plurality of exterior lobes and a plurality of interior lobes, each exterior lobe having a selected first width and first and second flat sides, the distance between the respective ends of the flat sides of each exterior lobe defining the first width, each exterior lobe further having a perimeter comprising the first flat side leading into a first radiused corner, the second flat side leading into a second radiused corner, the radiused corners being connected by a central circumferentially disposed segment; and each interior lobe having a selected second width and third and fourth flat sides, the distance between the respective ends of the flat sides of each interior lobe defining the second width; the third flat side leading into a third radiused corner, the fourth flat side leading into a fourth radiused corner, the third and fourth radiused corners being interconnected by a central circumferentially disposed segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony L. Hauck
  • Patent number: 7771282
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fixed type constant velocity universal joint suitable for applications where vibration is harmful. A fixed-type constant velocity universal joint (1) includes an inner member (20) fitted in an outer member (10) with a retainer (40) therebetween, and balls (30) provided between track grooves (14, 24) of the outer member (10) and the inner member (20) as well as retained by the retainer (40). The outer member (10) is constructed as a multilayer structure of three or more layers formed of an outside member (15), one or a plurality of intermediate members (16), and an inside member (17), and at least one of the intermediate members (16) is constructed of an elastic material. Cushioning action of the intermediate members (16) can reliably absorb vibration transmitted from either of the outer member (10) and the inner members (20) with the members (10, 20) set to a predetermined operation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Yamazaki, Minoru Ishijima
  • Patent number: 7727075
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint comprising an inner hub (1) and an outer hub (6) inside which tracks are disposed that are associated with each other in pairs. At least one ball is arranged in each track in order to transmit torque between the inner hub and the outer hub. The ball-and-socket joint further includes at least one diaphragm which seals the outer hub with respect to a joining element that can be connected in a torsion-proof manner to the inner hub. The outer hub is provided with a metallic interior element encompassing the tracks, a dampening element which embraces the interior element in at least some areas, and a cap that embraces the damping element in at least some areas in order to connect the outer hub to a driving part or a part to be driven. The damping element is made of a material having a modulus of elasticity lower than the modulus of elasticity of the metallic material of the interior element and/or the cap of the outer hub while being greater than the modulus of elasticity of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Jacob, Martin D. Jacob
  • Patent number: 7647924
    Abstract: A structure (26) for supporting an array (22) of solar panels (24) in a solar energy collection system (20) includes a support assembly (42) formed from a rigid subassembly (44). The subassembly (44) includes a truss (68), a post (46) downwardly extending from the truss (68) for attachment to a footing (48), and posts (50) upwardly extending from the truss (68). The structure (26) further includes torsion tubes (34), each of which is pivotally retained by one of the posts (50) to form parallel rows (32) of torsion tubes (34). Multiple ganged piers (44) can be interconnected to increase the number of rows (32) of the system (20). The solar panels (24) are attached to the torsion tubes (34) to form the array (22). Each of the torsion tubes (34) may have a flat surface (164) for ready alignment and attachment of solar panels (24) onto the torsion tubes (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Herbert T. Hayden
  • Patent number: 7578743
    Abstract: A torsional vibration dampener for dampening torsional vibrations of a rotationally driven shaft. A hub is axially connected to the shaft, and a rotationally symmetrical body of inertia that acts as a vibrational mass is connected to the hub by a rubber elastic ring. The body of inertia comprises a primary part and a secondary part that is coaxial therewith and pivotable thereto. Displacement chambers are formed by and disposed between the primary and secondary parts. At least two displacement chambers communicate with one another via at least one flow control mechanism. Relative movement between the primary and secondary parts alters the volumes of the displacement chambers such that the volume of one decreases by the amount by which the other increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Elmar Kampmann
  • Publication number: 20090062020
    Abstract: A keyless coupling assembly for connecting concentric shafting components in a sealless pump comprises a first shafting member, a second shafting member and a plurality of torque strips. The first shafting member comprises an annular body and an inner surface disposed within the annular body. The second shafting member comprises a cylindrical body and an outer surface. The cylindrical body is disposed within the inner surface of the first shafting member. The outer surface encircles the cylindrical body and faces the inner surface. The plurality of torque strips is positioned between the outer surface and the inner surface to form anti-rotation grooves to prevent relative rotation between the first and second shafting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Stanley W. Edwards, Scott R. Wait
  • Patent number: 7488225
    Abstract: A propeller for a boat includes a propeller shaft having a shaft hole, a shaft sleeve mounted in the shaft hole of the propeller shaft and provided with a metal core with a through hole for insertion of a driving shaft of the boat, and a shock-absorbing member covering an outer surface of the metal and having an outer surface contacted with an inner surface of the propeller shaft that surrounds the shaft hole; and a lock unit mounted on the driving shaft for fixing the driving shaft in the through hole of the shaft sleeve, so that the propeller is rotatable by the driving shaft. When the propeller bumps hard things during rotation to result in vibration to the propeller, the shock-absorbing member can absorb the vibration so as to protect the driving shaft from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Yeun-Junn Lin
  • Patent number: 7411328
    Abstract: A dynamo electric machine for an aircraft gas turbine engine includes a housing supporting a stator of the dynamo electric machine, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted in the housing and including an elongate hollow rotor shaft, a main shaft for connection at one end to the associated gas turbine engine assembly, said main shaft extending coaxially within said hollow rotor shaft, and a sleeve-like member of electrically insulating material between said rotor shaft and said main shaft, said sleeve-like member providing an electrically insulating driving connection between said main shaft and said rotor shaft whereby said main shaft and said rotor shaft rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: John Gregory Snelick, Thomas Edward Morgan, Adam Brian Brugmann
  • Patent number: 7338380
    Abstract: A composite shaft assembly includes a core having an outwardly facing surface. At least one structure embedded in a resilient material extends from the outwardly facing surface. The outwardly facing surface defines an outer surface spaced from the outwardly facing surface which is fixable to an inner surface of a composite shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Rexnord Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Duane V. Byerly, Stewart A. Olson, Joseph M. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20080000316
    Abstract: This invention provides a telescopic shaft in which a backlash or a sliding resistance in a rotational direction is maintained to a predetermined value even when there are fabrication errors in a male shaft and a female shaft, and a preload is not reduced even when a sleeve is worn by a friction force in sliding, and a steering apparatus having the telescopic shaft. An inclined sleeve portion 712 is pressed by an elastic deformation of an urge sleeve portion 713, so that there is not backlash between a male shaft 12B and a female shaft 12A and a predetermined preload is applied. Although an outer periphery of the inclined sleeve portion 712 is worn by a friction in sliding, the inclined sleeve portion 712 is further pressed by an elastic force of the urge sleeve portion 713 by an amount of wearing the outer periphery of the inclined sleeve portion 712. Thus, a predetermined urge force is always operated to the inclined sleeve portion 71.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi KUROKAWA
  • Patent number: 7303481
    Abstract: An actuator for use in a fuel system. The actuator has a first metallic section adapted to be coupled to a motor, a second metallic section adapted to be coupled to a valve, and a nonmetallic section coupled to the first and second metallic sections for transmitting torque from the first metallic section to the second metallic section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Campany, David B. Welch, Andrew L. Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20070259721
    Abstract: A steering assembly has a yoke and an axially compliant intermediate shaft having an elastomeric coupling fitted concentrically to the yoke for rotation about an axis. Preferably, a rigid sleeve of the shaft has a cylindrical portion that fixes concentrically to an end portion of a shaft element that extends longitudinally along the axis. Two diametrically opposite tabs of the sleeve project radially outward from the cylindrical portion. A resiliently flexible isolator is preferably molded to the sleeve and circumferentially covers the tabs and the cylindrical portion. The isolator preferably has two diametrically opposite ears located circumferentially between two diametrically opposite cover segments that substantially cover the tabs. The tabs generally prevent rotation of the shaft with respect to the yoke in case of isolator failure due to the excessive torque. Each ear preferably has a lobe that projects axially beyond the sleeve for enhancing axial compliancy of the intermediate shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Kristina C. Scrimpsher, Troy Daenzer, Gary A. Novotny, Rogelio I. Macias Perez, Ernesto Torres, Andrew Maynes
  • Patent number: 7263912
    Abstract: A flywheel system includes an annular rim mounted for high speed rotation on a flywheel hub. The hub has a radially splined exterior surface facing radially outwards. The rim includes an annular rim liner having an axis of rotation coinciding with the axis of rotation of the hub, and having an inner surface facing radially inward. The inner surface of the rim liner has integral splines projecting radially inward and extending axially. The rim liner splines mate with the hub splines. The flywheel rim liner has a modulus of elasticity el, and a density ?l, and a liner ratio Rl equal to El/?l. The flywheel rim has a modulus of elasticity er in the hoop direction and a density ?r; and a rim ratio Rr equal to Er/?r. The materials and configuration of the rim and rim liner are designed so that Rl is less than or equal to Rr, so said flywheel rim liner grows radially with the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Toray Composites (America), Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Gabrys, Dennis G. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7258615
    Abstract: An elastic shaft joint is constituted of a joint member, a shaft member being fitted in a shaft of the joint member, and an elastic bush having a cylindrical inner sleeve fitted and fixed on the joint member, a cylindrical elastic member fixed on an outside surface of the inner sleeve, and a cylindrical outer sleeve fixed on an outside surface of the elastic member, for elastic torque transmission between the joint member and the shaft member, wherein the outer sleeve is fixed on the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Sadakata, Hiromichi Komori
  • Patent number: 7150679
    Abstract: A pulley (1) that is decoupled from the vibrations of a crankshaft and that has an integrated viscous torsional vibration damper (2), including a flywheel (3), which is arranged in a damper housing (5) that is filled with a viscous medium (4) and which can rotate relative to the housing, as well as a bearing (6) and a coupling (7) made of rubber elastic material, for supporting the pulley (1) with respect to the damper housing (5) in a flexible manner in the circumferential direction of the pulley and so as to be capable of relative rotation, the pulley (1) being assigned to the flywheel (3) so as to be axially adjoining. The damper housing (5) has at least one first axial projection (8), which is enclosed by the belt-bearing surface (9) of the pulley (1) at a radial clearance, and the bearing (6) is arranged in the gap (10) that is formed by the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Rolf Pape, Joerg Sandig, Klaus Kern, Hanna-Elfriede Barsch, legal representative, Peter Barsch, deceased
  • Patent number: 7147564
    Abstract: A universal joint assembly includes a universal joint and a housing encasing the universal joint. An isolator encases the housing. The isolator includes at least one chamber formed therein. The housing is moveable relative to the isolator by compression of the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn F. Gehrke
  • 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: 6976921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotationally symmetrical coupling comprising an annular hub made of a rigid material, which is surrounded by an outer ring made of a rubber-elastic material. The coupling also comprises an outer contouring, which is located on the outer diameter and which is provided for positively transmitting torques, whereby the outer ring is reinforced by an embedded, annular, rigid solid body. The aim of the invention is to achieve a quieter operation of a coupling of the aforementioned type and to better protect this coupling from becoming damaged. To these ends, the invention provides that the rubber-elastic material is silicone and that the annular, rigid solid body, on the outside, has a shape, which is similar to that of the outer contouring of the outer ring and which maintains, over the circumference, a nearly constant distance from the outer contouring of the outer ring. The rigid solid body is preferably comprised of a curved, metallic strip material having a constant thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hackforth GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Mehlan, Jürgen Walter