A ball-CV style transmission suitable for use in a Positive Displacement Motor (PDM). A shaft provides shaft wings received into housing receptacles on a housing. A Unitary Torque Transfer Element (UTTE) is interposed between each shaft wing and housing within each housing receptacle, with a spherical surface on the UTTE received into a recess preferably on the housing. The UTTEs float within their corresponding housing receptacles so as to maintain torque transfer contact between all thrust surfaces during articulated rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing. The UTTEs preferably float generally radially towards the shaft centerline as angular deflection increases during articulated rotation.

A ball-CV style transmission suitable for use in a Positive Displacement Motor (PDM). A shaft provides shaft wings received into housing receptacles on a housing. A Unitary Torque Transfer Element (UTTE) is interposed between each shaft wing and housing within each housing receptacle, with a spherical surface on the UTTE received into a recess preferably on the housing. The UTTEs float within their corresponding housing receptacles so as to maintain torque transfer contact between all thrust surfaces during articulated rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing. The UTTEs preferably float generally radially towards the shaft centerline as angular deflection increases during articulated rotation.

A pawl-less retractable comprises an inner frame with a drum-sperrad assembly mounted to the inner frame between side members of the frame to rotate relative to the frame and a stop cap which, during a fall, engages said drum-sperrad assembly to prevent further rotation of said drum. The inner frame can be pivotally mounted to the stop cap such that the inner frame and the drum-sperrad assembly pivot relative to the step cap, or the stop cap can pivot relative to the drum-sperrad assembly. The stop cap comprises a central body, a leading wing extending from a first side of the central body and a trailing wing extending from a second side of the central body opposite said first side. In use, the drum-sperrad assembly and the stop cap pivot relative to each other between an unlocked position in which the teeth of the sperrad are inside of an engagement zone circle and a locked position in which the teeth are outside of the engagement zone circle.

An apparatus for correcting an imbalance in a rotating shaft along with a method for correcting the imbalance in a rotating shaft is identified. The apparatus includes a joint assembly having a first joint member that is drivingly connected to a second joint member by one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of the first joint member and at least a portion of a second shaft may be drivingly connected to at least a portion of a second end portion of the second join member. A boot can may be connected to at least a portion of a first end portion of the second joint member. One or more balancing elements may then be connected to at least a portion of the boot can and/or the second joint member of the joint assembly.

A hub-integrated-type constant-velocity joint device in which one hub housing (40) functions as both an outer race of a constant velocity joint and a wheel hub combining a disc (2) of a wheel and a knuckle (3). In this configuration, a boot sealing portion (110) integrally formed at a boot (50) is inserted in a gap (35) between an inner race (32) and an outer race (33) of a bearing (30), thereby functioning as an inner seal closing up the gap between the inner race (32) and the outer race (33).

A hub-integrated-type constant-velocity joint device in which one hub housing (40) functions as both an outer race of a constant velocity joint and a wheel hub combining a disc (2) of a wheel and a knuckle (3). In this configuration, a boot sealing portion (110) integrally formed at a boot (50) is inserted in a gap (35) between an inner race (32) and an outer race (33) of a bearing (30), thereby functioning as an inner seal closing up the gap between the inner race (32) and the outer race (33).

A multi-piece propeller shaft includes a constant velocity joint disposed between and operably interconnecting first and second shaft segments. The constant velocity joint includes an outer race extending along an axis A from a first outer race end operably connected to the second shaft segment to a second outer race end to define an inner surface bounding an internal cavity. A vent and seal assembly is disposed inside the outer race and defines a plurality of venting cavities disposed serially along the axis A in fluid communication with one another. A first one of the venting cavities is disposed in fluid communication with the internal cavity and a last one of the venting cavities is disposed in fluid communication with an environment of the constant velocity joint for venting air from the internal cavity to the environment.

A multi-piece propeller shaft includes a constant velocity joint disposed between and operably interconnecting first and second shaft segments. The constant velocity joint includes an outer race extending along an axis A from a first outer race end operably connected to the second shaft segment to a second outer race end to define an inner surface bounding an internal cavity. A vent and seal assembly is disposed inside the outer race and defines a plurality of venting cavities disposed serially along the axis A in fluid communication with one another. A first one of the venting cavities is disposed in fluid communication with the internal cavity and a last one of the venting cavities is disposed in fluid communication with an environment of the constant velocity joint for venting air from the internal cavity to the environment.

A coupling suitable for use in a flexible shaft includes a first and second shaft engagement means each having a central axis, a spacer means having a central axis, and a number of support wires. A first set of support wires each extends between the first shaft engagement means and the spacer means one or more times, the first set of support wires comprises at least one support wire, and the first and second shaft engagement means and the spacer means have a common axis (A) when the coupling means is not subject to any misalignment.

A coupling suitable for use in a flexible shaft includes a first and second shaft engagement means each having a central axis, a spacer means having a central axis, and a number of support wires. A first set of support wires each extends between the first shaft engagement means and the spacer means one or more times, the first set of support wires comprises at least one support wire, and the first and second shaft engagement means and the spacer means have a common axis (A) when the coupling means is not subject to any misalignment.