A torque tube coupler that rigidly connects reflectors and provides for substantially 360 rotational freedom for the reflectors as well as the ability to transmit rotation from one reflector to another so that the reflectors may essentially be placed at the same angle. The torque coupler includes first and second torque tube coupler assemblies each configured to be connected to a reflector in a solar energy collection system. The torque coupler also includes a support point that supports said first torque coupler assembly and said second torque tube coupler assembly. This support point includes a shaft that facilitates the rigid connection of the first torque tube coupler assembly to the second torque tube coupler assembly and a bearing that facilitates 360 rotation of the first reflector and the second reflector.

A torque tube coupler that rigidly connects reflectors and provides for substantially 360 rotational freedom for the reflectors as well as the ability to transmit rotation from one reflector to another so that the reflectors may essentially be placed at the same angle. The torque coupler includes first and second torque tube coupler assemblies each configured to be connected to a reflector in a solar energy collection system. The torque coupler also includes a support point that supports said first torque coupler assembly and said second torque tube coupler assembly. This support point includes a shaft that facilitates the rigid connection of the first torque tube coupler assembly to the second torque tube coupler assembly and a bearing that facilitates 360 rotation of the first reflector and the second reflector.

An assembly method in which an assembly ring is force-fitted between a first part and a second part such as to create: a tightening contact between the first part and the inner face of the ring, by means of plastic deformation of the ring, said tightening contact occupying a first interference zone; and a tightening contact between the second part and the outer face of the ring, said tightening contact occupying a second interference zone. The assembly ring comprises a first ring segment (T1) and a second ring segment (T2) which are stepped axially in relation to one another and which have different radial dimensions from one another, such as to confine the first interference zone to the first ring segment (T1) and the second interference zone to the second ring segment (T2), in order to prevent the first interference zone and the second interference zone from overlapping axially.

A tolerance ring suitable for use in applications such as an actuator assembly for a disk drive, is disclosed. The tolerance ring may be fabricated by steps including stamping a sheet metal section from a strip of sheet metal that has first and second edges that are parallel to a strip axis. A leading axial edge may be rounded from an inner major face and from an outer major face. A plurality of protrusions may be formed from the first major face. The sheet metal section may be bent into a substantially cylindrical shape having a central axis that is normal to the strip axis.

An apparatus is provided for connecting a rotary shaft to a rotatable machine element. The apparatus includes and inner sleeve for clamping onto the shaft and an outer sleeve for clamping onto the machine element. The inner and outer sleeves have cooperating tapered surfaces for tightening the apparatus. The cooperating tapered surfaces include striations. A nut connected with the inner and outer sleeves is rotatable to drive the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in a first direction to tighten the inner sleeve onto the shaft and the outer sleeve onto the machine element. A method is also provided for forming a mounting device for connecting a machine element with a rotary shaft.

A pump shaft for a multi-stage pump, in particular a centrifugal pump, includes a peripheral groove region for the engagement of a relief device in order to introduce a force acting in the axial direction of the pump shaft. The groove region includes a plurality of grooves which are spaced apart in the axial direction.