Auto-reversing driveshaft system and method

Abstract

An auto-reversing driveshaft system/method configured to traverse in alternating longitudinal directions along a common driveshaft axis is disclosed. The system utilizes right-hand-thread (RHT) and left-hand-thread (LHT) channels along a target driveshaft (TDS) to engage dual drive pins (DDP) that are mechanically linked to an axial engagement collar (AEC) mechanically coupled to a motion driver platform (MDP). The AEC may be configured as a two-piece symmetric collar (TSC) in which the DDP are individually retained. The RHT and LHT are configured to implement a selected forward traverse rate (FTR) and reverse traverse rate (RTR) respectively for the DDP and AEC along the longitudinal axis of the TDS. The FTR and RTR may vary along the longitudinal axis of the TDS. The system and method are particularly applicable to the implementation of level winders, pumps, and/or situations where variable longitudinal traversal rates along the TDS are desired.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.