A universal joint assembled to a drill string transfers torque and axial force between two components where the shafts of the components are not completely aligned. The universal joint includes end members connected to opposite ends of a cable for connecting to components of the drill string. As the joint rotates the cable flexes to accommodate misalignment between the connected drill string components.

A universal joint assembled to a drill string transfers torque and axial force between two components where the shafts of the components are not completely aligned. The universal joint includes end members connected to opposite ends of a cable for connecting to components of the drill string. As the joint rotates the cable flexes to accommodate misalignment between the connected drill string components.

The invention relates to a method for connecting in rotation an output member (5) of an electric motor (1) and an element (2) that is to be driven in rotation, comprising the use of at least one fusible pin (11) that links the output member and the element that is to be driven, and that has at least one section that is prone to fail in shear when a torque transmitted by the fusible pin exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method comprises the step of interposing, between the pin and either the output member or the element that is to be driven, at least one elastic member (20) comprising a first travel with a first stiffness followed by a second travel with a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive an input torque from a propulsion source, and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a driveline component. A multi-component damping mechanism is disposed between the input member and the output member which includes a first spring element cooperating with a second spring element to couple the input member to the output member. The first spring element defines a greater stiffness and shorter deflection relative to the second spring element.

A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive an input torque from a propulsion source, and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a driveline component. A multi-component damping mechanism is disposed between the input member and the output member which includes a first spring element cooperating with a second spring element to couple the input member to the output member. The first spring element defines a greater stiffness and shorter deflection relative to the second spring element.

A rotary machine system (1) includes a first rotary machine (4) having a driving shaft (5) capable of being driven about an axis, a second rotary machine (2) having a driven shaft (3) rotatable about the axis and a bearing device (11) slidably supporting the driven shaft (3) on an axial end portion side with a pad surface (37) such that lubricating oil is supplied to the pad surface (37), a coupling unit (6) connecting the driving shaft (5) and the driven shaft (3) to each other such that rotation of the driving shaft (5) is transmitted to the driven shaft (3), and a baffle plate (7) disposed between the bearing device (11) and the coupling unit (6) and separating a space on the bearing device (11) side and a space on the coupling unit (6) side from each other.

A rotary machine system (1) includes a first rotary machine (4) having a driving shaft (5) capable of being driven about an axis, a second rotary machine (2) having a driven shaft (3) rotatable about the axis and a bearing device (11) slidably supporting the driven shaft (3) on an axial end portion side with a pad surface (37) such that lubricating oil is supplied to the pad surface (37), a coupling unit (6) connecting the driving shaft (5) and the driven shaft (3) to each other such that rotation of the driving shaft (5) is transmitted to the driven shaft (3), and a baffle plate (7) disposed between the bearing device (11) and the coupling unit (6) and separating a space on the bearing device (11) side and a space on the coupling unit (6) side from each other.

A metallic coupling for a drive shaft includes a first cylindrical flange extending axially along a center axis and a second cylindrical flange extending axially along the center axis and spaced axially from the first cylindrical flange. The metallic coupling also includes a first plurality and a second plurality of connectors. Each connector of the first plurality of connectors extends from the first cylindrical flange to the second cylindrical flange and are spaced circumferentially apart from each other about the center axis. Each connector of the second plurality of connectors also extends from the first cylindrical flange to the second cylindrical flange and are spaced circumferentially apart from each other about the center axis. The second plurality of connectors are radially inward from the first plurality of connectors relative to the center axis. An annular gap is radially between the first plurality of connectors and the second plurality of connectors.

A metallic coupling for a drive shaft includes a first cylindrical flange extending axially along a center axis and a second cylindrical flange extending axially along the center axis and spaced axially from the first cylindrical flange. The metallic coupling also includes a first plurality and a second plurality of connectors. Each connector of the first plurality of connectors extends from the first cylindrical flange to the second cylindrical flange and are spaced circumferentially apart from each other about the center axis. Each connector of the second plurality of connectors also extends from the first cylindrical flange to the second cylindrical flange and are spaced circumferentially apart from each other about the center axis. The second plurality of connectors are radially inward from the first plurality of connectors relative to the center axis. An annular gap is radially between the first plurality of connectors and the second plurality of connectors.

A dielectric insulating assembly arranged to be positioned between a drive shaft and a driven shaft of a motorised drive assembly. The assembly includes dielectric insulation between the drive shaft and the driven shaft and plurality of electrically non-conductive fastener elements configured to connect the drive shaft to the driven shaft and the dielectric insulation therebetween, in torque transfer engagement, the fasteners located around an outer boundary of the dielectric insulation.