Flexible couplings
AssigneeDunlop Limited
InventorTerence H. Colford
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between two relatively rotatable components comprises a plurality of connector members and resilient elements arranged alternately to form a ring in which alternate connector members are adapted for connection to a respective one of the components and each resilient element is disposed between confronting load transmitting surfaces which are inclined relative to the rotational axis of the coupling whereby axial loads are accommodated by the elements in compression and shear. An even number of members is provided for connection to each component and successive members which in use are connected to the same component are reversed so that under torque loads there is no net axial component of force acting on the members associated with a component.
Claims11
A flexible coupling for two components comprising at least two pairs of connector members for each component to be coupled and a plurality of elastomeric elements arranged alternately to form a ring in which alternate connector members are adapted for connection to a respective one of two components to be connected and each connector member has a pair of load transmitting surfaces which at least when the coupling is in an unstressed condition extend at an angle to the rotational axis of the coupling wherein there is an even number of connector members for attachment to each component and respective load transmitting surfaces of the successive connector members for attachment to a respective one component are angled alternately to face toward opposite ends of the coupling and are reversed in orientation of their angle to the rotational axis such that in use of the coupling to transmit torque, the induced axial component of force acting on half of the connector members for attachment to said one component substantially equals and opposes the induced axial conponent of force acting on the remainder of the connector members for attachment to said one component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.