US3707082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bellows flexible joint
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1970-09-22
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1990-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A flexible joint for transferring torque including a metal bellows member interconnecting a pair of rotatable end members. The radii of curvature of the axially extreme convolutions adjacent each of the end members are enlarged in magnitude relative to the radii of the middle convolution or convolutions.
Inventors
- 👤 George Ulics
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:39
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/50; F16D3/72; F16D3/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A flexible torque transfer assembly comprising: a rotatable driving member and a rotatable driven member, flexible means interconnecting said driving member and said driven member constructed to transmit torque and rotary motion between said members, said flexible means permitting angular displacement of the driven member relative to the driving member from an axially aligned position to various positions of axial misalignment, said flexible means including a cylindrical bellows interconnecting and secured to said driving member and said driven member, said bellows member including a plurality of axially disposed annular convolutions, said bellows member being shaped from stock having a substantially uniform thickness, means to reduce the magnitude of stresses in axially extreme convolutions of said bellows member comprising enlarged radii of curvature of said axially extreme convolutions relative to an axially intermediate convolution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A flexible torque transfer assembly comprising: a rotatable driving member and a rotatable driven member, flexible means interconnecting said driving member and said driven member constructed to transmit torque and rotary motion between said members, said flexible means permitting angular displacement of the driven member relative to the driving member from an axially aligned position to various positions of axial misalignment, said flexible means including a cylindrical bellows interconnecting and secured to said driving member and said driven member, said bellows member including a plurality of axially disposed annular convolutions, said bellows member being shaped from stock having a substantially uniform thickness, means to reduce the magnitude of stresses in axially extreme convolutions of said bellows member comprising enlarged radii of curvature of said axially extreme convolutions relative to an axially intermediate convolution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
151 words
A flexible torque transfer assembly comprising: a rotatable driving member and a rotatable driven member, flexible means interconnecting said driving member and said driven member constructed to transmit torque and rotary motion between said members, said flexible means permitting angular displacement of the driven member relative to the driving member from an axially aligned position to various positions of axial misalignment, said flexible means including a cylindrical bellows interconnecting and secured to said driving member and said driven member, said bellows member including a plurality of axially disposed annular convolutions, said bellows member being shaped from stock having a substantially uniform thickness, said bellows member including a plurality of axially intermediate convolutions each having a substantially identical radius of curvature, means to reduce the magnItude of stresses in axially extreme convolutions of said bellows member comprising enlarged radii of curvature of said axially extreme convolutions relative to an axially intermediate convolution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
A flexible torque transfer assembly comprising: a rotatable driving member and a rotatable driven member, flexible means interconnecting said driving member and said driven member constructed to transmit torque and rotary motion between said members, said flexible means permitting angular displacement of the driven member relative to the driving member from an axially aligned position to various positions of axial misalignment, said flexible means including a cylindrical bellows interconnecting and secured to said driving member and said driven member, said bellows member including a plurality of axially disposed annular convolutions, said bellows member being shaped from stock having a substantially uniform thickness, said bellows member including a plurality of axially intermediate convolutions each having a substantially identical radius of curvature, means to reduce the magnItude of stresses in axially extreme convolutions of said bellows member comprising enlarged radii of curvature of said axially extreme convolutions relative to an axially intermediate convolution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
156 words
A flexible torque transfer assembly comprising: a rotatable driving member and a rotatable driven member, flexible means interconnecting said driving member and said driven member constructed to transmit torque and rotary motion between said members, said flexible means permitting angular displacement of the driven member relative to the driving member from an axially aligned position to various positions of axial misalignment, said flexible means including a cylindrical bellows interconnecting and secured to said driving member and said driven member, said bellows member including a plurality of axially disposed annular convolutions, said bellows member being shaped from stock having a substantially uniform thickness, means to reduce the magnitude of stresses in axially extreme convolutions of said bellows member and to substantially equalize the magnitude of stresses within each of the convolutions comprising maximum radii of curvature of said convolutions immediately adjacent each end member and consecutively decreasing radii of curvature to the midpoint of the bellows axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
156 words
A flexible torque transfer assembly comprising: a rotatable driving member and a rotatable driven member, flexible means interconnecting said driving member and said driven member constructed to transmit torque and rotary motion between said members, said flexible means permitting angular displacement of the driven member relative to the driving member from an axially aligned position to various positions of axial misalignment, said flexible means including a cylindrical bellows interconnecting and secured to said driving member and said driven member, said bellows member including a plurality of axially disposed annular convolutions, said bellows member being shaped from stock having a substantially uniform thickness, means to reduce the magnitude of stresses in axially extreme convolutions of said bellows member and to substantially equalize the magnitude of stresses within each of the convolutions comprising maximum radii of curvature of said convolutions immediately adjacent each end member and consecutively decreasing radii of curvature to the midpoint of the bellows axis.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |