Polylobe drive element
AssigneeCalifornia Pellet Mill Company
InventorsAndrew C. Schnur, Donald M. Wilhelm
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shaft drive element is disclosed. The device exhibits the characteristics of maximum engagement contact area, uniform pressure throughout the contact area, variability in lockup and release characteristics as determined by the designer, minimum stress concentration in both the drive and driven element, economy of manufacture, self-centering and ease of assembly. The drive member has a cross section defined by six segments of a logarithmic spiral, three clockwise and three counterclockwise joined end to end. The female drive member having a cross section defined by six segments of the same spiral of slightly greater radius.
Claims7
A shaft drive element comprising:
- a male coupling member having a cross section defined by segments of a logarithmic spiral joined end to end;
- a female coupling member having a cross section defined by segments of the same spiral of greater radius joined end to end;
- and
- one half of said segments are of a clockwise spiral, and one half of said segments are of a counterclockwise spiral for both the male and female coupling member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.