Patent classifications
F16D3/26
Constant-velocity joint with surface contact forks
A constant-velocity joint can have three pieces: a yoke, a first adaptor, and a second adaptor. Grooves on opposite sides of the yoke can receive forks of the adaptors and be perpendicular to one another. The yoke can have a guide surface within each groove so that a matching following surface on the fork of the adaptor can engage the guide surface to guide the movement of the fork within the groove. The adaptors may pivot within the grooves such that surfaces of flanks of the forks remain engaged or provide a consistent amount of surface contact with flanks of the groove throughout the pivot of the forks. Torque can be transferred through the engaged flanks as the joint is used to convert eccentric rotation to concentric rotation.
QUICK CONNECT FOR CONDUITS
Method and system are provided for a quick connector for coupling conduits. The quick connector comprises a first piece including a radial slot and a first protrusion group, a second piece including a first slot group and a second slot group angled in a same direction, the first slot group is counterpart to the first protrusion group, and a third piece including a second protrusion group counterpart to the second slot group, where each slot of the first slot group faces a first side, and each slot of the second slot group faces an opposing, second side. In one example, the quick connector may include a locking mechanism and a feedback system.
POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND POWER TRANSMISSION SURFACES
Power transmission systems are provided that include polycrystalline diamond power transmission surfaces that are engaged with diamond solvent-catalyst power transmission surfaces. The power transmission systems may be or include gears, universal joints, or other power transmission systems or components.
SINGLE HOOKE'S JOINT WITH SPHERICAL MAST ATTACHMENT
Embodiments are directed to a rotor hub assembly comprising a yoke configured to attach rotor blades thereto, a single Hooke's joint configured to attach to, and transmit forces between, a mast and the yoke, and a spherical bearing coupled between the yoke and the mast. Two pillow blocks couple the single Hooke's joint to the yoke. An adapter sleeve is attached to the pillow blocks and is positioned to surround the spherical bearing. The adapter sleeve extends between the single Hooke's joint and the mast. A hub lock extension is attached to the yoke. The hub lock extension is configured to receive a hub lock that prevents gimballing of the yoke when engaged.
SINGLE AXIS IN-LINE GEARBOX MODULAR TRACKER SYSTEM
Modular tracker systems that include at least first and second tables or are continuous without the use of tables, a single motor driving the first and second tables, first and second intra-table drive shafts and an inter-table drive shaft. Each table includes a support structure including first and second mounting posts, a frame supported by the support structure, at least one solar panel supported by the frame, and first and second gearboxes being concentrically aligned for each table. The first and second gearboxes are each configured to produce first and second outputs. The first output has a first rotational speed, and the second output has a second rotational speed less than the first rotational speed, and is operatively coupled to the frame. The inter-table drive shaft couples the second gearbox of the first table with the first gearbox of the second table, whereby the first and second tables are rotated synchronously.
Method for assembling cruciform universal joint, and cruciform universal joint
After a cup bearing (13a) is incorporated into a circular hole (11c) of a coupling arm portion (10c) forming a yoke, a notch (25) having a V-shaped cross section is formed in a portion near the periphery of the circular hole (11c) on an outer side surface of the coupling arm portion (10c). Thereafter, a thin-walled portion (27) having a substantially trapezoidal cross section formed in a radially inner portion of the notch (25) in an opening edge portion of the circular hole (11c) is plastically deformed inward in a radial direction to form a staking portion (14a). Therefore, it is possible to achieve a method of assembling a joint cross type universal joint and a joint cross type universal joint which can form the staking portion for preventing the cup bearing from falling off without complicating the staking work.
Method for assembling cruciform universal joint, and cruciform universal joint
After a cup bearing (13a) is incorporated into a circular hole (11c) of a coupling arm portion (10c) forming a yoke, a notch (25) having a V-shaped cross section is formed in a portion near the periphery of the circular hole (11c) on an outer side surface of the coupling arm portion (10c). Thereafter, a thin-walled portion (27) having a substantially trapezoidal cross section formed in a radially inner portion of the notch (25) in an opening edge portion of the circular hole (11c) is plastically deformed inward in a radial direction to form a staking portion (14a). Therefore, it is possible to achieve a method of assembling a joint cross type universal joint and a joint cross type universal joint which can form the staking portion for preventing the cup bearing from falling off without complicating the staking work.
Single axis in-line gearbox modular tracker system
Modular tracker systems that include at least first and second tables or are continuous without the use of tables, a single motor driving the first and second tables, first and second intra-table drive shafts and an inter-table drive shaft. Each table includes a support structure including first and second mounting posts, a frame supported by the support structure, at least one solar panel supported by the frame, and first and second gearboxes being concentrically aligned for each table. The first and second gearboxes are each configured to produce first and second outputs. The first output has a first rotational speed, and the second output has a second rotational speed less than the first rotational speed, and is operatively coupled to the frame. The inter-table drive shaft couples the second gearbox of the first table with the first gearbox of the second table, whereby the first and second tables are rotated synchronously.
Frictionless Clutch
In most applications in the power transmission field, a means must be provided to repeatedly engage and disengage a powered spinning shaft from a receiving shaft. The invention introduces a simple new way of doing so by taking advantage of a common universal joint's inability to continue transferring torque beyond a certain angle. When the angle is reached, the universal joint locks up and acts as a simple pivoting arm. This pivoting arm is used to transfer the torque to a receiving shaft which is also equipped with a pivoting shaft inserted into the elongated tube of the universal joint (FIG. 4). At lesser angles, the universal joint tube simply spins around the receiving shaft's pivoting shaft, producing no movement of the receiving shaft (FIG. 3). This mechanism accomplishes a clutching and declutching action with no friction wearing surfaces, thus a frictionless clutch.
Frictionless Clutch
In most applications in the power transmission field, a means must be provided to repeatedly engage and disengage a powered spinning shaft from a receiving shaft. The invention introduces a simple new way of doing so by taking advantage of a common universal joint's inability to continue transferring torque beyond a certain angle. When the angle is reached, the universal joint locks up and acts as a simple pivoting arm. This pivoting arm is used to transfer the torque to a receiving shaft which is also equipped with a pivoting shaft inserted into the elongated tube of the universal joint (FIG. 4). At lesser angles, the universal joint tube simply spins around the receiving shaft's pivoting shaft, producing no movement of the receiving shaft (FIG. 3). This mechanism accomplishes a clutching and declutching action with no friction wearing surfaces, thus a frictionless clutch.