Modular crankshaft
AssigneeKerr Machine Co.
InventorsMicheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Kelcy Jake Foster, Nicholas Son, John Keith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular crankshaft configured for use within a power end assembly. The modular crankshaft is configured to interconnect a drive shaft and a plurality of linear drive assemblies. The various embodiments of modular crankshafts disclosed herein are assembled by interconnecting a plurality of individual main bearing journals using a plurality of fasteners. One or more embodiments of modular crankshafts may also include individual connecting rod journals that are attached to individual main bearing journals using a plurality of fasteners.
Claims9
An apparatus, comprising:
- a crankshaft comprising:
- a plurality of main bearing journals positioned in a side-by-side relationship;
- in which adjacent main bearing journals are spaced apart from one another by a gap;
- in which each main bearing journal comprises:
- a cylindrical body having opposed first and second sides;
- a first connection element joined to the first side;
- and
- a second connection element joined to the second side;
- in which the first connection element of one of the main bearing journals is configured to engage a second connection element of an adjacent main bearing journal such that the engaged connection elements form a connecting rod journal that extends through the gap;
- and in which each connecting rod journal has a passage formed therein;
- and
- a plurality of threaded fasteners, each threaded fastener extending through the gap and interconnecting adjacent main bearing journals;
- in which each of the plurality of fasteners is installed within the passage formed within a corresponding one of the connecting rod journals;
- in which each of the plurality of fasteners has opposed first and second threaded ends;
- and
- in which the first threaded end is configured to engage a threaded portion of the passage and the second threaded end is configured to receive a threaded nut.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a crankshaft, comprising:
- a first main bearing journal positioned in a side-by-side relationship with a second main bearing journal, the first and second main bearing journals each comprising:
- a cylindrical body having opposed first and second sides;
- a first connection element joined to the first side;
- in which the first connection element comprises a female connection element having a second passage extending therethrough;
- and
- a second connection element joined to the second side;
- in which the second connection element comprises a male connection element having a first passage extending therethrough;
- in which the female connection element is configured to receive the male connection element;
- and
- in which the first passage aligns with the second passage when the male connection element is installed within the female connection element;
- in which the second connection element of the first main bearing journal is engaging the first connection element of the second main bearing journal;
- and
- a fastener installed within the engaged second and first connection elements of the corresponding first and second main bearing journals and attached to the first and second main bearing journals;
- in which the fastener comprises opposed first and second threaded ends;
- in which the first passage is a through-bore and at least a portion of the through-bore is sized to receive a threaded nut configured to engage the second threaded end of the fastener;
- and in which the second passage comprises a threaded portion configured to engage the first threaded end of the fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.