High angle universal coupling with constant or near constant characteristics
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorGerald J. Angelo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A universal coupling is provided that aims to achieve constant velocity between the input and output shafts. The universal coupling also aims to increase the angle between input and output shafts over conventional double Cardan joints while maintaining constant velocity or near constant velocity therebetween. The universal coupling can employ a Sarrus type linkage in-between two universal joints of the Cardan type in a configuration that aims to achieve joint angles up to and including 90 degrees in the Y-Z plane, while maintaining constant velocity or near constant velocity therebetween.
Claims10
A universal coupling, comprising:
- a first universal joint;
- a second universal joint;
- a centering device associated with the first and second universal joints and configured to control the spacing therebetween and to provide at least two pivot axes to the universal coupling which lie in a common plane;
- and
- a device acting like a Sarrus linkage interconnecting the first universal joint with the second universal joint for transmitting torque therebetween.
A universal coupling, comprising:
- a first universal joint configured to be coupled to an input shaft;
- a second universal joint configured to be coupled to an output shaft;
- a centering device associated with the first and second universal joints and configured to control the spacing therebetween and to provide at least two pivot axes to the universal coupling which lie in a common plane bisecting the universal coupling;
- and
- a variable length mechanism interconnecting the first universal joint with the second universal joint for transmitting torque therebetween, the variable length mechanism allowing linear movement of a component of the first universal joint with respect to a components of the second universal joint while an angle is formed between the input shaft and the output shaft of up to and including 90 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.