A first embodiment of a torque tube coupler may include an outer body that includes a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface adjacent to the first abutting surface. Set screws may be inserted into one or more channels of the first abutting surface. Tightening the set screws may force the abutting surfaces away from each other and the outer body to press against an inner surface of a torque tube. Another embodiment of the torque tube coupler may include a central ring sized based on a size of a torque tube. The torque tube coupler may also include a set of fingers that extend away from a first side of the central ring and are shaped to flex radially outward. The torque tube coupler may include a core disposed within the set of fingers that, when drawn towards the central ring, causes the fingers to flex radially outwards.

A first embodiment of a torque tube coupler may include an outer body that includes a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface adjacent to the first abutting surface. Set screws may be inserted into one or more channels of the first abutting surface. Tightening the set screws may force the abutting surfaces away from each other and the outer body to press against an inner surface of a torque tube. Another embodiment of the torque tube coupler may include a central ring sized based on a size of a torque tube. The torque tube coupler may also include a set of fingers that extend away from a first side of the central ring and are shaped to flex radially outward. The torque tube coupler may include a core disposed within the set of fingers that, when drawn towards the central ring, causes the fingers to flex radially outwards.

This invention is a splint joint for a drive shaft including a receptacle with an interior and with a drive shaft extending from the receptacle. A bushing having a bushing body is inserted into the receptacle interior and the receptacle and bushing are immovably affixed in resistance to rotation by friction. In this variation the bushing is affixed to a bushing ring with the combined bushing and bushing ring inserted into the receptacle. The process of affixing includes, in this variation, machine bolts drawing the bushing and bushing ring together. The bushing and the bushing ring each have a single split and both have a spring function. As the bushing and bushing ring are drawn together the bushing ring is expanded into friction contact with the bushing receptacle interior and the bushing is compressed into friction contact with the bushing ring thereby inhibiting rotation relative to the bushing receptacle. Push bolts allow the bushing to be urged away from the bushing ring allowing the disassembly of the shaft when repair is required.

A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.

A hydraulic coupling device includes an inner sleeve having a tapered outer surface, an outer sleeve having a tapered inner surface mounted on the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, a nut screwed onto the inner sleeve and a cylinder formed separately from the outer sleeve and secured to the outer sleeve. At least a portion of the nut extends into the cylinder, and the inner sleeve, the cylinder, the nut and the outer sleeve together delimit a chamber.

A hydraulic coupling device includes an inner sleeve having a tapered outer surface, an outer sleeve having a tapered inner surface mounted on the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve, a nut screwed onto the inner sleeve and a cylinder formed separately from the outer sleeve and secured to the outer sleeve. At least a portion of the nut extends into the cylinder, and the inner sleeve, the cylinder, the nut and the outer sleeve together delimit a chamber.

A disclosed submersible pump apparatus includes a three-dimensional frame, a pump housing, a drive shaft, an impeller, and first and second motors. The impeller is mounted on the driveshaft within the pump housing and is driven by one or both of the motors. The first motor is connected to a first end of the drive shaft and the second motor connected a second end of the drive shaft. The first and second motors are hydraulic motors and in a first configuration, the first and second motors are configured to cooperatively rotate the drive shaft with hydraulic fluid supplied to and removed from the first and second motors using a parallel fluidic connection. In a second configuration, only one of the motors has a drive gear and drives the drive shaft while the second motor does not have a drive gear and acts as a frictionless bearing supporting the drive shaft.

A disclosed submersible pump apparatus includes a three-dimensional frame, a pump housing, a drive shaft, an impeller, and first and second motors. The impeller is mounted on the driveshaft within the pump housing and is driven by one or both of the motors. The first motor is connected to a first end of the drive shaft and the second motor connected a second end of the drive shaft. The first and second motors are hydraulic motors and in a first configuration, the first and second motors are configured to cooperatively rotate the drive shaft with hydraulic fluid supplied to and removed from the first and second motors using a parallel fluidic connection. In a second configuration, only one of the motors has a drive gear and drives the drive shaft while the second motor does not have a drive gear and acts as a frictionless bearing supporting the drive shaft.

A disclosed submersible pump apparatus includes a three-dimensional frame, a pump housing, a drive shaft, an impeller, and first and second motors. The impeller is mounted on the driveshaft within the pump housing and is driven by one or both of the motors. The first motor is connected to a first end of the drive shaft and the second motor connected a second end of the drive shaft. The first and second motors are hydraulic motors and in a first configuration, the first and second motors are configured to cooperatively rotate the drive shaft with hydraulic fluid supplied to and removed from the first and second motors using a parallel fluidic connection. In a second configuration, only one of the motors has a drive gear and drives the drive shaft while the second motor does not have a drive gear and acts as a frictionless bearing supporting the drive shaft.

A first embodiment of a torque tube coupler may include an outer body that includes a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface adjacent to the first abutting surface. Set screws may be inserted into one or more channels of the first abutting surface. Tightening the set screws may force the abutting surfaces away from each other and the outer body to press against an inner surface of a torque tube. Another embodiment of the torque tube coupler may include a central ring sized based on a size of a torque tube. The torque tube coupler may also include a set of fingers that extend away from a first side of the central ring and are shaped to flex radially outward. The torque tube coupler may include a core disposed within the set of fingers that, when drawn towards the central ring, causes the fingers to flex radially outwards.