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US 12,331,797 B2Granted
Method of carburizing driveline components
AssigneeAircraft Gear Corporation
InventorSean M. Carlini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A universal joint or other vehicle driveline assembly includes an inner race, an outer race, and bearings positioned between the races. In some embodiments, the components of the universal joint that are in contact with the bearings are selectively processed to be harder than the other non-contact surfaces of the component.
Claims9
A method for manufacturing a universal joint having a plurality of rolling bearings, comprising:
- fabricating from a Chromoly steel at least one component of a universal joint selected from the group consisting of an outer race adapted and configured for a rolling bearing, an inner race adapted and configured for a rolling bearing, a cruciform-shaped member, a bearing cap adapted and configured to provide a rolling bearing pathway with a cruciform-shaped member, or a rolling bearing cage;
- through-hardening the component to a first hardness;
- masking at least a portion of the surfaces of the component that are not bearing contact surfaces;
- and
- surface hardening the bearing contact surfaces of the component to a second hardness that is harder than the first hardness.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.