Adapters for use with a driving device for turning a knob, and methods for making and using such an adapter are provided. In one example, an adapter includes a shaft that extends distally from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion and that defines a longitudinal axis. The proximal end portion is configured to operatively couple to the driving device for rotating the shaft about the longitudinal axis. An adapter body is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. At least one engaging member is disposed radially outward from the longitudinal axis and is configured for removably engaging the knob. A collar surrounds at least a portion of the at least one engaging member.

A driving tool with universal rotating structure includes a first drive joint member and a second drive joint member. The first drive joint member defines a compartment and at least one slot. The first end of the at least one slot includes is in communication with the compartment. The at least one slot extends through an outer periphery of the first drive joint member. The at least one slot includes a retaining member movably disposed therein. The outer periphery of the first drive joint member includes an enclosing ring disposed thereon. The enclosing ring is elastic and includes an inner periphery abutting against a side of the retaining member. The second drive joint member includes a head rotatably coupled to the first drive joint member. The head is disposed in the compartment. The head extends from a first end to a second end concavely along a second axis.

A retaining ring configured to retain a shaft to a sleeve to fix the shaft rotationally and axially to the sleeve can include a first portion configured to install around the shaft and within the sleeve. The first portion can include one or more first curved sections and at least one first portion flat. The retaining ring can include a second portion configured to install around the shaft and moveable relative to the first portion, the second portion comprising one or more second curved sections and at least one second portion flat. The first portion flat can be defined between a plurality of the first curved sections, and wherein the second portion flat can be defined between a plurality of the second curved sections, for example.

A valve system may include a valve having a housing with a bore and a valve member positioned within the bore. The valve member may include a valve shaft with a recess. The valve system may also include an actuator having an actuator shaft with an end portion. An adapter may couple the valve shaft and the actuator shaft. The adapter may include a body having a shape corresponding to a shape of the recess of the valve shaft for fitting the adapter within the recess and an aperture extending into the body. The aperture may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the end portion of the actuator shaft for press fitting the adapter onto the actuator shaft. The adapter may fit within the recess and press fit coupled to the actuator shaft.

An electric actuator assembly for controlling the output of a variable output drive device such as a hydraulic transaxle or pump having an output shaft connected to a swash plate for rotation thereof to control the output of the drive device. The output shaft is engaged to and driven by a control shaft of an electric actuator. The assembly includes a clamping coupler to connect and align the output shaft and the control shaft, thereby permitting use of the electric actuator with multiple drive device designs without the need to modify the control shaft of the drive device.

Unlaminated bearings (or Torque Transfer Elements, or TTEs) are disposed to slide and displace within pockets (or “housing cavity receptacles”) provided in the internal periphery of a housing in which an articulating shaft is received. As the shaft “tilts” about its untilted axial centerline during misaligned rotation, convex curved bearing surfaces on shaft pins slidably rotate against corresponding concave curved bearings surfaces on the T as received in the housing cavity receptacles. Further, substantially flat surfaces on the TTEs are disposed to slidably displace against corresponding bearing surfaces on the housing cavity receptacles as the shaft tilts and the convex curved bearing surfaces on the shaft pins slidably rotate against the concave curved bearing surfaces on the TTEs. The sliding displacement of TTEs with respect to the housing cavity receptacles during articulated rotation is in a direction generally parallel to the shaft's untilted axial centerline.

The present invention relates to a case for a servomotor having a rotatable output shaft, wherein the case comprises at least a partial interior volume or enclosure for enclosing at least a portion of the servo; a front end having a front face; and a front rotatable disc located at the front end, at least a portion of the front rotatable disc projecting out from the front face, the front rotatable disc configured to directly or indirectly functionally engage the output shaft and to be rotated thereby.

A progressive cavity pump includes a sealed drive between the rotor and universal joint. The universal joint includes a socket configured to receive a drive shaft of the rotor. A cover, such as a locking nut, is disposed over the connection between the rotor and universal joint. Seals are retained in place by the locking nut to prevent abrasive materials from entering into the interface between the rotor and the universal joint.

The present disclosure generally relates to an external shaft connection assembly. In particular, an external shaft connection assembly for use with vane actuators is disclosed. In various aspects, the disclosed assembly includes an external shaft connector to connect a valve to the vane actuator, an upper shaft to connect a positioner the vain actuator and a compression ferrule to ensure a tight fit with the vane actuator in order to overcome mechanical slop and inefficiencies in motion transmission due to variances in manufacturing tolerances.

In order to provide a brake disc unit the production and assembly of which is economically viable even with extreme mechanical and thermal load capacity, preferably without the application of intermediate elements, the disclosure proposes a brake disc unit with a friction ring and a friction ring carrier which are connected by a shaft-to-hub connection with an alignment gearing having a multitude of dogs, wherein the cross-section of the dogs provides a contour which, at least partly, runs along an extended trochoid.