Joint assembly with centering flange

A joint assembly for coupling first and second rotating parts, comprising:

• a portion of said first rotating part including a first axis and a centering flange disposed about said first axis, said centering flange having a first length, said first length extending along the direction of said first axis;
• a portion of said second rotating part including a second axis and an inner surface disposed about and extending along the direction of said second axis, said inner surface defining a void in which said centering flange is received;
• said centering flange having a contact section extending radially outward relative to said first axis, said contact section having a second length, said second length extending along the direction of said first axis, said second length substantially smaller than said first length;
• said joint assembly having a first state in which said centering flange and said inner surface are engaged and said first and second axes are misaligned;
• said joint assembly having a second state in which said contact section and said inner surface have an substantially interference fit and said first and second axes are substantially aligned;
• a transition between said first and second states substantially devoid of binding between said first and second rotating parts.

A joint assembly through which first and second rotating parts are connected for the transmission of rotational energy therebetween, comprising:

• said first rotating part including a centering flange disposed about a first axis, said centering flange having a first length extending in the direction of said first axis;
• said centering flange including a non-contact section disposed about said first axis at a first radial distance from said first axis, and a contact section disposed about said first axis between said first radial distance and a second radial distance from said first axis, said second radial distance greater than said first radial distance, said contact section having a second length extending in the direction of said first axis, said second length substantially smaller than said first length;
• said second rotating part including an inner surface disposed about a second axis, said inner surface radially distanced from said second axis by a distance no less than said first radial distance, and no greater than said second radial distance;
• said centering flange disposed within said second rotating part between opposed sides of said inner surface, said first and second axes maintained substantially aligned through a substantially interference fit between said contact section and said inner surface.