Tubular torsion bar
AssigneeImpulse Composites, LLC
InventorsTodd Michael Whitaker, Adam Cuthbert Pauluhn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tubular torsion bar includes an elongated inner tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated outer tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end. A joiner bushing fixedly attaches the distal end of the inner tube to the distal end of the outer tube with the inner tube and outer tube positioned in coaxial and substantially coextensive concentric nesting positions. Mounting apparatus is fixedly attached to the proximal end of the outer tube and a planetary gear system is coupled to the proximal ends of the inner tube and the mounting apparatus and designed to provide a selected torque versus deflection characteristic of the tubular torsion bar.
Claims22
A tubular torsion bar comprising:
- an elongated inner tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an elongated outer tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a joiner bushing fixedly attached to the distal end of the inner tube and to the distal end of the outer tube with the inner tube and outer tube positioned in coaxial and substantially coextensive concentric nesting positions and unengaged with one another substantially along their entire remaining length;
- mounting apparatus fixedly attached to the proximal end of the outer tube;
- and
- output apparatus fixedly attached to the proximal end of the inner tube.
A tubular torsion bar comprising:
- an elongated inner tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an elongated outer tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a joiner bushing fixedly attached to the distal end of the inner tube and to the distal end of the outer tube with the inner tube and outer tube positioned in coaxial and substantially coextensive concentric nesting positions and unengaged with one another substantially along their entire remaining length;
- mounting apparatus fixedly attached to the proximal end of the outer tube;
- and
- a planetary gear system including a ring gear fixedly connected to the proximal end of the outer tube and planet gears in meshing engagement with the ring gear and attached to the proximal end of the inner tube, the planetary gear system attached to apply a torque to the outer tube relative to the inner tube, and the planetary gear system including a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planet gears and connected to an output shaft.
A tubular torsion bar comprising:
- an elongated inner tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an elongated outer tube of flexible material having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a joiner bushing fixedly attached to the distal end of the inner tube and to the distal end of the outer tube with the inner tube and outer tube positioned in coaxial and substantially coextensive concentric nesting positions and unengaged with one another substantially along their entire remaining length;
- a housing fixedly attached to the proximal end of the outer tube;
- a planetary gear system positioned within the housing and including a ring gear fixedly connected to an inner surface of the housing and coaxial with the outer tube, planet gears in meshing engagement with the ring gear and attached to the proximal end of the inner tube, and a sun gear positioned coaxial with the inner tube and in a meshing relationship with the planet gears;
- an output shaft affixed to and coaxial with the sun gear, the output shaft mounted to extend outwardly from the housing and accessible externally from the housing;
- and
- the planetary gear system attached to apply a torque to the outer tube relative to the inner tube, and the planetary gear system designed to provide a selected torque versus deflection characteristic of the tubular torsion bar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.