Abstract: Rotary pressure control valves in booster steering systems are rotated by manual force at the steering wheel against a return force, usually a steel torque rod which is twisted by rotation of the steering wheel. Upon release of steering force, the untwisting of the rod causes reverse rotation toward neutral shut-off, i.e., centered position, so that coacting pressure channels of relatively rotated valve components are closed. Such reverse rotation is effected herein with the aid of a metal bellows which is compressed by cam operation during twisting of the torque rod. Upon untwisting, the bellows expands and acts through the cam to exert a reverse rotary force on the valve components to effect complete centering. Upon reaching centered valve position, the cam serves as a detent to hold the centered position of the valve components.

Abstract: A manually-operated automotive transmission has a cluster gear on which several forward drive input gears and the reverse drive input gear are formed integrally. The cluster gear has a central bore extending its full length. An input shaft clutched to as engine crankshaft is keyed at the end furthest from the engine to the far end of the cluster gear and has a loose fitting spline connection to the opposite end of the cluster gear. A portion of the input shaft between the clutch and the loose spline connection has relatively high torsional stiffness and strength, but the portion of the input shaft between the keyed connection and the loose spline connection has relatively low torsional stiffness and strength. The clearance between the teeth of the loose spline connection is sized so that relatively low torque is not transmitted through this connection. The clearance is taken up and engine torque transmitted through the loose spline connection when high operating torques are developed.

Abstract: Several embodiments of coupling devices for marine outboard drives for providing a coupling between an engine output shaft and the outboard drive, drive shaft. Each embodiment employs as the coupling a first portion that provides a relatively resilient driving connection for absorbing low speed torque vibrations and a second more rigid driving connection for providing a more positive power transmission at high speeds and high loads. In some embodiments, the more resilient connection is provided by a spring which may comprise either a torsional spring or a torsional coil spring. In other embodiments, elastomeric elements provide the driving connection.

Abstract: A downhole motor has a rotor and a stator, of the progressive cavity type, inside a housing. A bearing shaft is mounted within the housing, with a bearing between the housing and the bearing shaft, and the bearing shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the bearing shaft and the housing. A flexible rod, with a connection on each end, extends between the rotor and the bearing shaft, for translating the rotation and gyration of the rotor to the true rotation of the bearing shaft. A cylindrical overload sub is located concentrically around the rod. A plurality of splines and slots on the connections engage a plurality of splines and slots on the sub to allow the connections to rotate axially a limited amount in relation to one another. Teeth may be used instead of splines and slots.

Abstract: Between a drive unit (not shown) and a driven unit (not shown) there is a gear train (2,7) which includes tuned bars (1, 10) which are so dimensioned that, in operation, the nodes in the torsion vibration to which the system is subject are situated in said tuned bars.

Abstract: Flexurally stiff members having low torsional stiffness, high transverse shear resistance and high stability are disclosed. In several embodiments, each member includes a flexurally and torsionally stiff tapered elongate beam surrounded by an outer tube-like component of lower torsional stiffness and interconnected by an elastomeric medium which enables the tube-like component to twist relative to the beam while permitting some of the flexural and transverse loads applied to the tube-like component to be transferred to the beam. In several embodiments, the tube-like component includes a pair of interarranged corrugated open section members engaged by one or more stabilizers, including a shrunk fit tube of elastomeric material extending lengthwise between attachment fittings at opposite ends. End fittings for applying various loads to the members are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole motor of the progressive cavity, or Moineau, type. The motor has a stator, and a rotor within the stator. The rotor rotates and gyrates in response to fluid flow through the stator. A shaft is located within a housing which is connected to the stator. A flexible rod extends between the rotor and the shaft for translating the rotation and gyration of the rotor to the true rotation of the shaft. The rod has an upset section on each end, and upper and lower connections connect the upset sections of the rod to the rotor and to the shaft. The connections are nonintegral to the rod, and are made of a different material from the rod.

Abstract: A three axis flexure joint is provided which is very stiff against translational forces along its long axis but is operable with three degrees of freedom over small angles with no lost motion. The flexure comprises two spaced metal connectors, which are connected to each other by a wire which runs through the metal connectors along an axis and is integrally joined to each connector, and at least one snubber pin. The snubber pin snugly fits into a bore of one connector of the flexure, the bore being arranged to accept the pin and to be parallel to the wire axis, while in the second connector, the pin has a loose fit in a corresponding hole similarly located. In this manner, the integrity of the connecting wire is maintained as the pins act as stops to rotation if rotation of either connector around any of its axes exceeds a predetermined limit. The flexure is also preferably configured with each connector being a bolt or screw so as to permit easy connection of the flexure to rods and master and slave devices.

Abstract: A structural element which is particularly suited for use in accommodating torsional displacement while carrying various axial, transverse, and flexural loads. The structural element is of a multi-component construction which includes at least one elongated tube-like thin wall member having a pair of longitudinally-extending edges. The wall member is laterally engaged and constrained by one or more stabilizers which permit yielding relative motion between the edges when torque is applied.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly which consists essentially of two shaft parts both made of fiber reinforced plastic material at least one having a circumferential radially outwardly extending fold formation provided for enabling articulation of the shaft assembly with an intermediate support bearing being located between the two shaft parts, the support bearing having an inner race positioned by steps at the region of connection between the two shaft parts in such a way that the intermediate bearing forms an integral part of the shaft and is assembled so as to form a permanent connection.

Abstract: An energy storage device (10) is disclosed consisting of a stretched elongated elastomeric member (16), disposed within a tubular housing (14), which elastomeric member (16) is adapted to be torsionally stressed to store energy. The elastomeric member (16) is configured in the relaxed state with a uniform diameter body section, transition end sections, and is attached to rigid end piece assemblies (22, 24) of a lesser diameter. The profile and deflection characteristic of the transition sections (76, 78) are such that upon stretching of the member, a substantially uniform diameter assembly results to minimize the required volume of the surrounding housing (14). During manufacture, woven wire mesh sleeves (26, 28) are forced against a forming surface and bonded to the associated transition section (76, 78) to provide the correct profile and helix angle. Each sleeve (26, 28) contracts with the contraction of the associated transition section to maintain the bond therebetween.

Abstract: A structural element capable of resilient twisting about an axis including a plurality of axially extending open section members of decreasing transverse dimension nested together with adjacent ends of the members being rigidly interconnected at each end of the element.

Abstract: A torque absorbing coupling for a hydrostatic steering system which a hydrostatic steering controller responds to operation of a steering wheel to direct flow from a source to a steering motor. The coupling minimizes the possibility of a high reaction torque being felt by the operator who turns the steering wheel more rapidly than the system can deliver flow and pressure to the controller to levels which are sufficient to effect steering as demanded by the operator. The coupling is provided between the steering wheel and the controller's metering unit, and operates to absorb reaction torques over a time interval, and thereby delays transmission of those reaction torques to the operator over that time interval, to provide the system with an additional time interval to increase flow and pressure to the levels demanded.

Abstract: In an actuator system (10) having an air motor (12) for supplying a ball-screw actuator (14) with rotary input. The ball screw actuator (12) has a friction clutch mechanism (206) that limits the torque applied to the screw (176) when the ball nut (166) reaches first and second extreme positions. Thus, the maximum output from the air motor (12) can be applied to ball screw actuator (14) without braking before the positions are reached. A torsion bar and a cam 274 act to regulate the clutch (206) slipping torque to narrow limits, thereby easing strength requirements in the actuation mechanism (10).

Abstract: Torsion sensor for a grinding machine having a torsion bar with non-linear characteristics provided between the drive shaft of the grinding machine motor and the grinding wheel spindle, and detector means for detecting the twisting angle of the torsion bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel mounting structure for a rotatable heat exchanger, sometimes known as a heat recovery wheel. The mounting structure includes a hub portion on at least one side of the wheel and axially aligned therewith with at least three radially movable shoes situated within the bore of the wheel and coupled to the hub portion. A torsion bar is connected to the hub which applies equal radial forces to each of the shoes whereby the shoes are biased against the wheel at the periphery of the bore and equally displaced from the axis of the wheel. The aforementioned arrangement provides a mounting which is self centering and yet which permits differential radial expansion of a metal hub with respect to a ceramic wheel.

Abstract: Improved drive shafting elements suitable for use in high speed rotating crushing machinery are disclosed comprising a central cantilever shaft mounted within a surrounding sleeve to which the cantilever shaft is rigidly connected at one end and within which the cantilever shaft has substantial radial play at the other end to permit a rotating impeller or similar element mounted thereon to center itself automatically for rotation on its center of gravity at speeds above the first critical speed. Means are included for damping radial vibrations as the shafting rotates through the first critical speed and for damping whirl due to shaft instabilities and self-excited vibrations above the first critical speed. Improved impactor targets for use in centrifugal crushing machines and .[.and.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.improved centrifugal crushing method are also disclosed.