US 5,277,659 A · Universal joint having exterior, lubricating ring

Abstract

A universal joint (310) includes a yoke (311) in which is disposed a dual trunnion (312) and which is disposed in a ring (315). Pins (321, 322) connect the ring to the dual trunnion and to the yoke. Lubricant in a non-continuous lubricant channel (319), extending less than 360.degree. around the ring, provides lubrication for the pins (321, 322), whose ends disposed in the ring (315) are surrounded by needle bearings (31). Because the channel is non-continuous, lubricant entering one lubricant port (320) must travel the length of the lubricant channel before exiting the channel via the second lubricant port (326). In this manner, the lubricant channel is purgable and lubricant is supplied to all bearings. A first shaft (340) is integrally connected to the dual trunnion (312), and a second shaft (513) is integrally connected to the yoke (311). By joining the yokes (311) of two such joints (310) with a common shaft (313), a composite joint (300) can be formed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A universal joint comprising:

(a) a ring having a lubricant channel for allowing lubricant flow therein, the lubricant channel having two ends;
(b) a yoke disposed within the ring;
(c) a first shaft having an end adjacent the ring;
(d) first pin means pivotally interconnecting the yoke and the ring;
(e) second pin means pivotally interconnecting the first shaft and the ring;
(f) a plurality of bearing means in the ring in fluid contact with the lubricant channel in the ring, the bearing means receiving the first and second pin means;
(g) a second shaft connected to the yoke;
and
(h) first and second lubricant ports communicating with the lubricant channel, with one lubricant port being adjacent each end of the lubricant channel, wherein:
the lubricant channel is non-continuous, extending less than 360.degree. around the ring, such that lubricant entering the first lubricant port must travel through the entire length of the lubricant channel before exiting through the second lubricant port.

7 more elements

A universal joint comprising:

(a) first and second rings, each ring having a lubricant channel for allowing lubricant flow therein, the lubricant channel having first and second ends;
(b) first and second yokes disposed within the first and second rings, respectively;
(c) first and second shafts;
(d) first pin means pivotally interconnecting the first yoke and the first ring;
(e) second pin means pivotally interconnecting the first shaft and the first ring;
(f) third pin means pivotally interconnecting the second yoke and the second ring;
(g) fourth pin means interconnecting the second shaft and the second ring;
(h) a third shaft interconnecting the first yoke and the second yoke;
and
(i) a plurality of bearing means in each ring in fluid contact with the lubricant channel in the ring, the bearing means in the first ring receiving the first and second pin means, and the bearing means in the second ring receiving the third and fourth pin means, wherein:
each ring has first and second lubricant ports communicating with the lubricant channel, with one lubricant port being adjacent each end of the lubricant channel, and
the lubricant channel is non-continuous, extending less than 360.degree. around the ring, such that lubricant entering the first lubricant port must travel through the entire length of the lubricant channel before exiting through the second lubricant port.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Universal joint having exterior, lubricating ring

Life of this patent

Universal joint having exterior, lubricating ring

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20