Constant velocity coupling and control system therefor
OwnerGlenn Alexander Thompsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A constant velocity coupling 10, 305 which rotabably connects an input shaft 11 to an output shaft 12 by means of a control mechanism or control system 21, 309 which, in particular forms, includes a gimbal arrangement comprised of an inner yoke 22 rotatably connected to an outer yoke 16. The control mechanism including control yoke 21 constrains at least portions of the coupling to lie on or in association with a homokinetic plane 300 of the coupling. In particular forms the control mechanism operates symmetrically about supplementary angle bisector 308.
Claims87
A constant velocity coupling wherein the conditions for equal instantaneous transfer of angular velocities between an input and an output shaft are maintained by a control mechanism, said coupling including,
- (a) an input shaft rotation axis
- (b) an output shaft rotation axis
- (c) a control mechanism,
- said control mechanism adapted to constrain at least portions of said coupling so as to achieve a constant velocity characteristic.
The coupling of any preceding claim wherein all said axes of rotation of said journals and said input and output axes intersect at said geometric center of said coupling.
The coupling of any of the preceding claims wherein the terms input shaft and output shaft may be used interchangeably.
The coupling of any preceding claim wherein all pivotal connections are realized by deep groove ball bearings.
The coupling of any previous claim wherein all relative movements of said axes and control mechanism are rotational.
A constant velocity coupling wherein the angle between an input shaft and an output shaft is controlled so as to vary the volumetric characteristics of a swash plate hydraulic displacement device.
A double constant velocity coupling wherein the conditions for equal instantaneous transfer of angular velocities between an input and an output axis are maintained by a control mechanism, said coupling comprising,
- (a) an input axis
- (b) an output axis
- (c) input end yoke
- (d) output end yoke
- (e) a control mechanism.
A constant velocity joint having an input shaft rotatably connected to an output shaft by way of a gimbal mechanism;
- said joint including mechanical control means which constrains said gimbal with respect to said input axis and said output axis whereby, in use, a constant velocity characteristic is maintained over a predetermined range of angles between said input shaft and said output shaft.
A constant velocity joint incorporating a control mechanism based on spherical geometry with respect to a geometric centre defined as the intersection of an input axis and an output axis of said joint.
Centering means for a constant velocity joint;
- said centering means incorporating joints defined with respect to spherical triangle structures so as to constrain at least portions of a constant velocity joint on a homokinetic plane defined with respect to the point of intersection of an input axis with an output axis of said constant velocity joint.
A method of constraining a first input shaft with respect to a second output shaft of a constant velocity joint so as to achieve substantially constant velocity behaviour;
- said method comprising utilising control means centered on and pivotable about one or more axes passing through a coupling centre defined as the intersection of the axis of said input shaft with the axis of said output shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.