Abstract: A shaft coupling includes an annular plate having a proper axial flexibility. The annular plate is formed with mounting holes. A first group of coupled portions are fixedly connected to an input shaft, whereas a second group of coupled portions are fixedly connected to an output shaft. The first and second groups of coupled portions are coupled with each other through the annular plate placed therebetween, so that the first and second groups of coupled portions circumferentially alternate with each other. The annular plate has coupling arm portions each extending between two adjacent mounting holes to absorb axial vibrations. A radial width of the coupling arm portion is dimensioned to be narrower than a radial width of a peripheral region of each of the mounting holes. A length of the coupling arm portion is dimensioned to be longer than a distance between the two adjacent mounting holes.

Abstract: A flexible annular coupling made of composite material and an even number of relatively thicker fixing portions (10) spaced apart circumferentially around the coupling for connection to two rotary members to be coupled by the coupling and a flexible leaf (11) extending lengthwise between each two adjacent fixing portions. Each leaf includes a relatively thinner central part (11a) and a transition portion (13) of gradually increasing thickness between the ends of the central part and the thicker fixing portions. The coupling is constructed such that the central part (11a) of at least each circumferentially alternate leaf will always be displaced axially in the same predetermined direction (A) transverse to its length when the leaf is caused to buckle by compressive force(s) acting between the fixing portions at the ends of the leaf. The displacement may be obtained by curving the central part, by suitably shaping the transitional portions or by making the central part of two layers of different stiffness.

Abstract: A flex plate for transferring torque from a driving component to a driven component comprises an inner hub portion secured for rotation with one of the driving component and the driven component, an outer hub portion secured for rotation with the other one of the driving component and the driven component, and a ring portion extending from the inner hub to the outer hub. The ring portion is a plate having one or more concentric rows of slots formed therethrough, and wherein the slots are circumferential and equiangularly spaced.

Abstract: In order to provide a universal joint suitable as a small diameter joint capable of transmitting a large torque and having a high rotational precision and a high durability at a low cost, the universal joint is a kind of spring ring joints coupling a driven shaft with a driving shaft, for which an angle formed by their axis lines is not great, constructed so as to deal with deviations of the axis lines with respect to each other, owing to the fact that thin bending plates made of glass fiber reinforced polyimide bend. Linking boss portions supporting the bending plates and an intermediate disk are made of a high duty aluminium alloy for elongation having a high tenacity by die cast. A part of the linking boss portions and the intermediate disk is formed as protruding arbors for caulking and the bending plates are jointed directly therewith by caulking.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for connecting an input drive shaft such as a crank shaft to a coupling device such as a torque converter includes a transmission element having a plate-like design and including an annular body and a plurality of radially extending arms. A first engagement formation is arranged on at least some of the radially extending arms. A second engagement formation is arranged on an engagement element arranged on the coupling device. The first and second engagement formations are brought into engagement/retention arrangement maintains the torque transmitting connection by maintaining the axial positions of the transmission element and engagement element.

Abstract: An arrangement for the rotationally fixed connection of a hydrodynamic coupling device to a drive component, in particular a drive shaft, has a first torque-transmission engagement formation, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive component, a second torque-transmission engagement formation, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the hydrodynamic coupling device and is in or can be brought into torque-transmitting engagement with the first torque-transmission engagement formation as a result of these formations being moved toward one another substantially in the direction of an axis of rotation, and a preloading device which preloads the hydrodynamic coupling device with respect to the drive component substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation. The first and second torque-transmission engagement formations are brought into or held in torque-transmitting engagement with one another by the preloading force generated by the preloading device.

Abstract: A coupling device is designed with a flywheel mass which faces a drive and is operatively connected, such that they rotate together, to a driver which acts on the drive. A holder is provided on the flywheel mass, which holder faces the driver and is provided with a tooth system. The driver has an axial attachment, which is likewise designed with a tooth system at its end which faces the holder, in which case at least one tooth of the tooth system is pressed, with radial prestressing, into the tooth gap between in each case two teeth of the tooth system of the holder.

Abstract: A flywheel for an internal combustion engine includes a flexible plate connected to a crankshaft of the engine. A mass member is connected to the flexible plate. A clearance is formed at an axially outer portion with respect to a connecting portion of the flexible plate to the crankshaft. A spring member is disposed in the clearance such that both ends of the spring member being in contact with clearance defining surfaces of the flexible plate and the mass member, respectively. This flywheel enables the prevision of the spring member without increasing a thickness of an installing portion to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter is embodied with a converter housing that, on its side facing a drive, has a substantially radially-running primary flange. Attached to the primary flange are a central pin for mounting and a holder for holding the converter housing on the drive, as well as a housing hub for mounting a transmission shaft of an output. At least one of the connecting elements on the primary flange (i.e., the holder, the housing hub and the central pin) is connected to the primary flange by an outward pressing. The holder, housing hub and central pin respectively establish a connection between the primary flange and the drive or output. This connection to the primary flange is created by material displacement into an opening in the connecting element in question, which opening is located on the side facing away from the connection.

Abstract: A flexible coupling between drive and driven shaft members includes a diaphragm member having an offset base and outer periphery that is relatively more flexible than the radially inner base which is formed integrally with one of the shaft members or at least an intermediate coupling sleeve. A transition zone of the diaphragm extends through an arcuate curve to facilitate attachment between the shafts and one that will allow flexing of the diaphragm to accommodate dimensional changes in the shaft members as a result of cooling after assembly of the coupling.

Abstract: The invention concerns an elastic coupling device comprising a first guide washer (1) integral in rotation with the drive washer and a disc (10) integral with a hub (17) oriented towards the first guide washer (1), which bears at its outer periphery a second guide washer. The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.

Abstract: A vibration buffering device is constructed in a lightweight and compact fashion, the number of parts is reduced, the assembling operation can be simplified, and generation of a noise is prevented. An annular passage and accommodating recesses, which open into the passage in pairs, are defined in a damper housing integral with a first mass member. First coil springs are retained on spring holders inserted in the passage, and second coil springs are accommodated in the accommodating recesses. A transmitting arm, placed into the passage, is coupled to a second mass member which is capable of being angularly displaced about the same axis relative to the first mass member. In a power non-transmitting state, opposite ends of the second coil springs are received by opposite ends of the accommodating recesses and are in contact with opposite ends of the spring holders.

Abstract: A cone drive apparatus includes a conical drive assembly which aligns and drivingly engages between an engine and a transmission. The conical drive assembly is fastened to a flex plate which is connected to an output member of an engine. The conical drive assembly aligns with a conical recess in an adapter plate fastened to an input member of a transmission. Once the engine and transmission are aligned and suitably fastened together, the conical drive assembly drivingly engages the output member of the engine to the input member of the transmission.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 1 includes a flexible plate 3 and a flywheel 2. The flexible plate 3 has a rigidity in a rotation direction and flexibility in a bending direction, and is coupled at its radially inner portion to a crankshaft 100. An elastic plate body of the flexible plate 3 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical support portion 16 projected away from the crankshaft 100. The flywheel 2 is fixed at its outer peripheral portion to an outer peripheral portion of the flexible plate 3. The flywheel 2 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical portion 13 projected toward the flexible plate 3 and radially overlapping the cylindrical support portion 16.

Abstract: A compound shaft coupling having a flexible disk shaft, with two flexible disks or diaphragms, and a tie bolt shaft connecting two rigid or stiff shafts. One flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the first stiff shaft, while the other flexible disk diaphragm of the flexible disk shaft is coupled with an interference fit to the tie bolt shaft which removably mounts the second stiff shaft. A quill shaft connects the two flexible disk diaphragms of the flexible disk shaft. The first stiff shaft can be a hollow sleeve with a magnet mounted therein and the second stiff shaft or power head shaft may include a compressor wheel, a bearing rotor, and a turbine wheel removably mounted on the tie bolt shaft.

Abstract: A disk-like body has first holes arranged in a central portion in a circumferentially spaced manner for a fixing to a crankshaft, second holes arranged in a radially outer portion in a circumferentially spaced manner for a fixing to a torque converter, rigidity-controlling first openings arranged in vicinities of the second holes, and rigidity-controlling second openings all arranged simply between circumferentially neighboring ones of the first openings.

Abstract: An elastic plate member is clamped between an input-side stopper plate and an output-side stopper plate, and the input-side stopper plate is secured to an input-side member, and the output-side stopper plate to an output-side member at appropriate intervals therebetween, respectively, in a state in which tubular members and collar members into which the tubular members are respectively inserted are interposed therebetween. The input-side member and the output-side member are elastically coupled in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction of the input- and output-side members. A tilting-restriction shaft is formed on either the input-side or output-side stopper plate.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 1 includes a flexible plate 3 and a flywheel 2. The flexible plate 3 has a rigidity in a rotation direction and flexibility in a bending direction, and is coupled at its radially inner portion to a crankshaft 100. An elastic plate body of the flexible plate 3 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical support portion 16 projected away from the crankshaft 100. The flywheel 2 is fixed at its outer peripheral portion to an outer peripheral portion of the flexible plate 3. The flywheel 2 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical portion 13 projected toward the flexible plate 3 and radially overlapping the cylindrical support portion 16.

Abstract: A coupling spring element is provided for which assembly without access and with no play, and a torsion-proof transmission of shaft revolutions is possible and has superior spring elastic properties to which, a plate-shaped element is provided with an essentially central connection region for connection to one shaft and a connection region formed at the outer circumferential region for connection to one additional shaft, and has slot-like recesses between the two connection regions.

Abstract: A flexible plate assembly which transmits torque from a crankshaft in an engine to a flywheel while absorbing bending vibration, and includes a first flexible plate, a second flexible plate, and a friction plate. An inner portion of the first flexible plate is fixed to a distal end of the crankshaft, and an outer portion of the first flexible plate is connected to a flywheel. The friction plate is disposed between the first and second flexible plates. The friction plate and the second flexible plate are connected to a mid-portion of the first flexible plate between the crankshaft and the flywheel.

Abstract: A compound shaft for a three journal bearing turbomachine which includes a first stiff shaft supported by two journal bearings, a second stiff shaft supported by one journal bearing and by one bi-directional thrust bearing, and a flexible disk shaft that operably connects the first and second stiff shafts. The flexible disk shaft utilizes a flexible disk to function as a low hysterisis joint in parallel with a non-linear trunion clock spring such that the flexible disk shaft transfers overturning support from the first stiff shaft to the second stiff shaft and transfers thrust bearing support from the second stiff shaft to the first stiff shaft. The flexible disk shaft allows the compound shaft to tolerate extremely large misalignments of the three journal bearings from a straight line axis.

Abstract: A universal coupler for use on a tower leg assembly of an irrigation system for joining an outboard drive shaft of a drive wheel gear box of circular cross-section and known size to a motor-driven square drive shaft of unknown size. The universal coupler includes, along a first longitudinal end thereof, a shaft receiving structure for fixedly containing the outboard drive shaft, and along the opposite longitudinal end, a V-shaped cradle dimensioned to accommodate therein adjacent flat wall surfaces of the square drive shaft. A flexible, shock absorbing disk joins the V-shaped cradle and the outboard drive shaft receiving structure in a manner whereby each shaft is rotated at the same speed in response to a rotational force imparted on the other. L-shaped bolts are provided to facilitate clamping the square drive shaft to the V-shaped cradle using fasteners.

Abstract: A flexible plate (3) transmits torque from a crank shaft (4) in an engine to a fly wheel main body (2) while absorbing axial vibration, and includes a first disc element (7) and a second disc element (8). The first disc element (7) is fixed to a distal end of the crank shaft (4). A second disc element (8) has its inner circumferential portion is connected to the first disc element (7), with both being connected to the crank shaft (4) at their respective inner circumferential portions. The outer circumferential portion of the second disc element (8) is longer in the radial direction than the first disc element (7) and is connected to the fly wheel main body (2). The second disc element (8) can be flexibly transformed in axial directions.

Abstract: A device which can transmit torque between a first component (e.g., a flywheel) and a coaxial or nearly coaxial second component (such as a hydraulic drive) has an internally toothed hub which transmits torque to or receives torque from one of the components, and a flange which surrounds the hub and transmits torque to or receives torque from the other component. The flange has a disc disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the hub, a rim spaced apart from the hub and surrounding the disc, and pairs of reinforcing ribs defining acute angles which diverge from the rim toward the hub. The ribs of each pair are or can be mirror images of each other with reference to a plane located between such ribs and including the axis of the hub. One rib of each pair is subjected to tensional stresses and the other rib of each pair is subjected to compressive stresses when the one component rotates the hub or vice versa. The device can be made, at least in part, of a plastic material.

Abstract: A flexible disc-like coupling element is provided for use in a flexible coupling which joins a driving shaft to a driven shaft of a drive train apparatus. The disc-like coupling element includes a hub portion at least a first and a second substantially linear member which are joined at a junction and which diverge from the junction to define an aperture. Each substantially linear member is configured to carry a columnar load. The disc-like coupling element also includes a plurality of lobes spaced from the hub portion and connector portions corresponding to each lobe for connecting at equally spaced increments the corresponding lobe to the hub portion. Each lobe has a pair of substantially arcuate shaped arms joined together adjacent a corresponding connector portion. The arms extend away from one another in substantially opposite directions and terminate in free ends.

Abstract: As a torque transmitting member, an annular resilient disc interconnects a crankshaft and an annular flywheel. The crankshaft has an axially extending cylindrical wall in opposed and spaced relationship to an inner peripheral wall of the annular flywheel. For reducing vibrations of annular resilient disc, an elastic annular body has an inner peripheral wall fixed to the crankshaft and an outer peripheral wall opposed to the inner peripheral wall of the flywheel. A heat insulating ring or heat insulating pieces are provided to reduce transmission heat from the flywheel to the elastic annular body. Alternatively, a heat insulating space or spaces may be provided.

Abstract: An engine output shaft and a transmission torque converter are connected for torque transmission therebetween. A flex plate is disposed between, and secured for rotation with either, the output shaft or the torque converter input shell. The flex plate includes an axially extending rim frictionally engaged with an annular wall secured either the output shaft or the torque converter input shell. A clamp member surrounds the rim on the flex plate radially outward of the annular wall and is selectively tightened to establish a force therein to cause the frictional engagement to be sufficient to transmit the torque.

Abstract: A resilient shaft coupling includes a annular member constructed of a hexagonal resilient joint disc and at least one attaching element which includes a plurality of flange arms. The resilient joint disc includes attaching regions at its corners provided with axial connecting element bores. The straight sides of the joint disc are provided with thin web regions which permit elastic deformation.

Abstract: As a torque transmitting member, an annular resilient disc interconnects a crankshaft and an annular flywheel. The crankshaft has an axially extending cylindrical wall in opposed and spaced relationship to an inner peripheral wall of the annular flywheel. For reducing vibrations of annular resilient disc, an elastic annular body has an inner peripheral wall fixed to the crankshaft and an outer peripheral wall opposed to the inner peripheral wall of the flywheel. A heat insulating ring or heat insulating pieces are provided to reduce transmission heat from the flywheel to the elastic annular body. Alternatively, a heat insulating space or spaces may be provided.

Abstract: A flexible disc-like coupling element is provided for use in a flexible coupling which joins a driving shaft to a driven shaft of a drive train apparatus. The disc-like coupling element includes a substantially arcuate shaped hub portion at least partially defining and at least partially surrounding a central aperture. The hub portion has a radial dimension as defined from the central aperture of the disc-like coupling element. The hub portion includes a structure for flexing across the radial dimension within the plane of the disc-like coupling element. The disc-like coupling element also includes a plurality of lobes spaced from the hub portion and connector portions corresponding to each lobe for connecting the corresponding lobe to the hub portion. Each lobe has a pair of substantially arcuate shaped arms joined together adjacent a corresponding connector portion. The arms extend away from one another in substantially opposite directions and terminate in free ends.

Abstract: A flexible coupling formed from sheet material and having preselected stiffness characteristics is incorporated between an engine output member and an input member of a mechanism to reduce the linear vibration levels of the system in use and to accommodate a preselected amount of misalignment therebetween. The flexible coupling has radially outer and inner edge portions, and a formed intermediate portion connecting them which in cross section has a generally truncated V-shape. A preferred embodiment has an annular body with the intermediate portion thereof having conical outer and inner walls, a relatively flat end wall, and blended corners connecting the walls and edge portions. When used between a diesel engine and an electric generator set the formed flexible coupling shifted the major structural resonances away from the normal operating range and greatly reduced the linear vibration levels thereof.

Abstract: A rotary adjustment device adapted for user rotation to adjust the position of an adjacent mechanism such as the linkage for actuating an electrical snap switch. The device has an outer annular cam with a central hub structure with a shaft defining surface adapted for being rotatably journalled. The hub is suspended from the cam by torsionally stiff web structure which is radially inner an outer pairs of oppositely disposed spokes which permit resilient deflection, when unwanted side loads are applied to the shaft for preventing disturbances of the cam once the user has selected a rotary position.

Abstract: An axially toothed gear mechanism for transmitting torque and angular displacement from a driving member to a driven member which can accommodate a slight angular mismatch between the two, and which minimizes backlash and wear of the teeth.

Abstract: A coupling for a marine outboard drive for coupling the engine output shaft to the input shaft of the outboard drive. The coupling is formed of a composite member having a molded hub portion that defines a curved recess and a sheet metal member that is affixed to the hub member and which is adapted to be affixed to the engine output shaft. An elastomeric member is received in the recess of the hub member and supports an internally splined member that has a splined connection to the input shaft of the outboard drive.

Abstract: A coupling disk is used in an engine with an output element rotatable about an axis and a drive train having an input element rotatable generally about the same axis. The disk has an inner ring of bores by means of which it is bolted to the output element an outer ring of bores by means of which it is bolted to the input element. The disk is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting tabs separated by radially outwardly open cutouts and each formed with a respective one of the outer bores. The cutouts extend radially inward past regions of contact between the tabs and the input element and the tabs are each formed with generally tangentially extending corrugations.

Abstract: A flexible coupling of the light weight, low inertia spring plate type having a central disk which through flex provides for angular misalignment and four supporting side leaf springs which provide for parallel misalignment. Bolted on exterior drive lugs transmit the torque to the central disk. Bronze guides provide for attachment of the leaf springs to the center disk. The drive and driven plates are connected to hubs which are split so they can be clamped onto the input and output shafts which are subject to alternating torque loads.

Abstract: A drive pulley with a clutching device to engage or disengage a driven member, coupled with a flexible device to allow for axial, lateral, angular and end float errors. A drive pin assembly, including a spring-forced ball lock for securing a slide ring in an engaged or disengaged position with the driven pulley.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling inner and outer, radially-spaced, rotatable machine components has a generally annular body for location in the radial space between the machine components. Inner and outer drive element devices project from the generally annular body for respectively engaging drivingly the inner and outer machine components. At least one of the drive element devices is at least one at least circumferentially-resilient spring leaf projecting from the generally annular body at one end with a drive element for engaging the machine component engaged thereby on the other end.

Abstract: In a torsionally rigid, elastically flexible shaft coupling having at least one elastic disk disposed at right angles to the axis of rotation, cams on both coupling halves act alternately on both sides of the disk. In order to improve the loading capacity of the connection of the disk with the cams of both coupling halves by a multi-section design of this connection and in order to increase the transmitting capacity and the flexibility, the shaft coupling has the following characteristics:(a) the disk is constructed as a ring,(b) the points of application of the cams of both coupling halves on the annular disk lie at least approximately on one radius, the said cams surrounding the annular disk on both sides.

Abstract: A coupling assembly (17) for coupling the crankshaft (18) of an inboard engine (11) to the input shaft (19) of an outboard propulsion unit (15) has a coupling member (21) stamped from steel. The coupling member (21) is attached to the engine flywheel (20) at three points at the vertices of the triangular coupling member base. An elastomeric annulus (23) couples the coupling member (21) to the input shaft (19).

Abstract: An axially flexible drive disc of sheet-metal for vehicle propulsion includes a centrally disposed flange for attachment to the end of the drive shaft of the vehicle propulsion engine and is connected at its external circumference at a few, preferably three, fastening points, located evenly distributed around the periphery, to the input element of the adjacent gearbox. The gear box includes a hydrodynamic torque converter as the input element with the converter housing simultaneously assuming the flywheel function for the vehicle propulsion engine.

Abstract: A cooling fan assembly made of plastic material is composed of a plurality of fan blades and a boss and connected to a viscous fluid coupling device rotatably mounted through a bearing assembly on a driving shaft of an automotive vehicle. An axially resilient connecting member in the form of a plate spring is fixed to the boss of the fan assembly at one end thereof and to the coupling device at the other end thereof, whereby the inertia moment of the fan rotation causes the appropriate rotation of the fan assembly in spite of possible misalignment of the coupling device with respect to the driving shaft to thereby protect the bearing assembly from being damaged. Helical or waved springs may be interposed between the fan boss and the coupling device in place of the plate spring.

Abstract: A rotary coupling device comprises driving and driven elements which are rotatable about a given axis. A coupling member of elastomeric material rotatable about the aforesaid axis is interposed between such elements for imparting rotary motion therebetween. The coupling member is connected at spaced circumferential points to the driving and driven elements, respectively, and is so constructed as to have two different torque characteristics, the first being resilient in a range of torques varying from zero up to a predetermined value and the second being relatively non-yielding for torque values higher than such predetermined maximum. The imposition of torques above said predetermined value results in substantially direct drive between such elements and those below said value results in a resiliently flexible drive therebetween.