Flexible torque transmitting unit

Claim 2

In a flexible torque transmitting unit, a rotatable input member, an output member longitudinally spaced from said input member, separate first and second spring means operatively disposed between said members for drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, one of said members having first connector means for operatively connecting one end of said second spring means to said last mentioned member so that a clockwise torque load applied to said input member positions said second spring means in an inactive position relative to said members while said first spring means torsionally deflects and solely transmits all torque to said output member, one of said members having second connector means for operatively connecting one end of said first spring means to said last mentioned member so that a counterclockwise torque load applied to said input member positions said first spring means in an inactive position relative to said member while said second spring means torsionally deflects and solely transmits all torque to said output member.

Claim 3

In a torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a drive line that includes an elongated propeller shaft, a rotatable input member, an output member for driving a load, separate first and second spring means operatively disposed between said members for drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said output member being formed with first and second slots, said first spring means having an end tang which extends into said first slot and into contact with one end thereof, said second spring means being formed with an end tang which extends into said second slot and into contact with one end thereof, said second slot having a length which permits said end tang of said second spring means to move away from contact with the end portion thereof to an inactive position in response to a clockwise rotation of said input member to permit said input member to drive said output member through said first spring means alone, said first slot having a length which permits said end tang of said first spring means to move away from contact with the end portion thereof to an inactive position in response to the counterclockwise rotation of said input member to permit said input member to drive said output member through said second spring means alone.

Claim 4

In a torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a drive line that includes an elongated propeller shaft, a rotatable input member, an output member for driving a load, separate first and second spring means operatively disposed between said members for drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said output member being formed with first and second slots, said first spring means having an end tang which extends into said first slot and into contact with one end thereof, said second spring means being formed with an end tang which extends into said second slot and into contact with one end thereof, said second slot having a length which permits said end tang of said second spring means to move away from contact with the end portion thereof to an inactive position in response to a clockwise rotation of said input member to permit said input member to drive said output member through said first spring means alone, said first slot having a length which permits said end tang of said first spring means to move away from contact with the end portion thereof to an inactive position in response to the counterclockwise rotation of said input member to permit said input member to drive said output member through said second spring means alone.

Claim 5

In a torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a propeller shaft comprising a rotatable input member, a carrier member operatively attached to said input member, an output member laterally spaced from said carrier member, first helical spring means having a right-hand lead with one end connected to said carrier member and having a projecting end portion, said output member having slot means with a length substantially greater than the width of said projecting end portion of said spring means, second helical spring means having a left-hand lead with one end secured to said carrier member and having a projecting end portion, said output member having second slot means with a length substantially greater than the width of the projecting end portion of said second spring means whereby drive torque applied clockwise to said input member will move the end of said second spring means to a position between the ends of said second slot means and so that input torque will be transmitted solely by said first spring means through one end of said first slot means to said output member with said first spring means deflecting to simulate the torsional characteristics of an elongated propeller shaft and whereby counterclockwise drive torque applied to said input member will move the end of said first spring means to a position between the ends of said first slot means and so that input torque will be transmitted solely by said second helical spring means through one end of said second slot means to said output member with said second spring means deflecting to simulate the torsional characteristics of the propeller shaft, and stop means operatively connected to said input member for contacting said output member in response to predetermined torsional deflection of either of said spring means to limit the deflection and torque transmitted by either of said spring means.

Claim 6

In a torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a propeller shaft comprising a rotatable input member, a carrier member operatively attached to said input member, an output member laterally spaced from said carrier member, first helical spring means having a right-hand lead with one end connected to said carrier member and having a projecting end portion, said output member having slot means with a length substantially greater than the width of said projecting end portion of said spring means, second helical spring means having a left-hand lead with one end secured to said carrier member and having a projecting end portion, said output member having second slot means with a length substantially greater than the width of the projecting end portion of said second spring means whereby drive torque applied clockwise to said input member will move the end of said second spring means to a position between the ends of said second slot means and so that input torque will be transmitted solely by said first spring means through one end of said first slot means to said output member with said first spring means deflecting to simulate the torsional characteristics of an elongated propeller shaft and whereby counterclockwise drive torque applied to said input member will move the end of said first spring means to a position between the ends of said first slot means and so that input torque will be transmitted solely by said second helical spring means through one end of said second slot means to said output member with said second spring means deflecting to simulate the torsional characteristics of the propeller shaft, and stop means operatively connected to said input member for contacting said output member in response to predetermined torsional deflection of either of said spring means to limit the deflection and torque transmitted by either of said spring means.

Claim 7

A flexible torque transmitting unit for simulating the torsional characteristics of a drive line connecting a transmission output to a load comprising a rotatable input member adapted to be driven by a transmission,a rotatable output member for driving a load, a carrier member connected to said input member, first and second spring means drivingly connecting said carrier member to said output member, each of said spring means having an extending end portion, first and second slot means in said output member for receiving the respecTive end portions of said first and second spring means, said first and second slot means having a contact surface at one end thereof to contact the respective end portions of said springs and having a length to permit translational movement of the respective end portions therein so that one of said spring means can drive said output member through said associated contact surface and to permit said output to overrun said input and said last-mentioned spring means and drive said input through the other contact surface and the other of said spring means.

Claim 8

A flexible torque transmitting unit for simulating the torsional characteristics of a drive line connecting a transmission output to a load comprising a rotatable input member adapted to be driven by a transmission,a rotatable output member for driving a load, a carrier member connected to said input member, first and second spring means drivingly connecting said carrier member to said output member, each of said spring means having an extending end portion, first and second slot means in said output member for receiving the respecTive end portions of said first and second spring means, said first and second slot means having a contact surface at one end thereof to contact the respective end portions of said springs and having a length to permit translational movement of the respective end portions therein so that one of said spring means can drive said output member through said associated contact surface and to permit said output to overrun said input and said last-mentioned spring means and drive said input through the other contact surface and the other of said spring means.

Claim 9

In a transmission testing apparatus, a flexible torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a known vehicle drive line, said unit being dimensioned to permit the testing of a transmission in confined quarters and comprising a rotatable input member adapted to be driven by said transmission, a rotatable output member for driving a load, first and second spring means drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said output member having first and second elongated slot means therein with a drive surface at one end thereof, each of said spring means having a drive tang operatively disposed in said associated slot means and against said associated drive surface, said slot means having sufficient clearance to permit movement of said associated tang from contact with said surface so that torque applied in a first direction to said input member will load said only first spring means to drive said output and turn said second spring means in a direction away from contact with the drive surface of said second slot means and so that torque applied in a second direction to said input member will load only said second spring means to drive said output and turn said first spring away from contact with the drive surface of said second slot.

Claim 10

In a transmission testing apparatus, a flexible torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a known vehicle drive line, said unit being dimensioned to permit the testing of a transmission in confined quarters and comprising a rotatable input member adapted to be driven by said transmission, a rotatable output member for driving a load, first and second spring means drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said output member having first and second elongated slot means therein with a drive surface at one end thereof, each of said spring means having a drive tang operatively disposed in said associated slot means and against said associated drive surface, said slot means having sufficient clearance to permit movement of said associated tang from contact with said surface so that torque applied in a first direction to said input member will load said only first spring means to drive said output and turn said second spring means in a direction away from contact with the drive surface of said second slot means and so that torque applied in a second direction to said input member will load only said second spring means to drive said output and turn said first spring away from contact with the drive surface of said second slot.

Claim 11

A flexible torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a known vehicle drive line leading from a transmission output to a load which is substantially shorter than the known vehicle drive line to permit the testing of the transmission in confined quarters comprising a rotatable input member driven by a transmission and a rotatable output member for driving a load, first helical spring means having a right-hand lead drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said first helical spring means having a driving tang at one end thereof, elongated slot means formed in said output member for receiving said driving tang, second helical spring means having a left-hand lead drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said second helical spring means having a driving tang, said output means having an elongated slot formed therein for receiving said driving tang and to permit said driving tang to move to an inactive position in response to the rotation of said input in one direction and to permit the driving tang to accommodate said driving tang when torque is being transmitted through the other of said spring means.

Claim 12

A flexible torque transmitting unit for replacing and simulating the torsional characteristics of a known vehicle drive line leading from a transmission output to a load which is substantially shorter than the known vehicle drive line to permit the testing of the transmission in confined quarters comprising a rotatable input member driven by a transmission and a rotatable output member for driving a load, first helical spring means having a right-hand lead drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said first helical spring means having a driving tang at one end thereof, elongated slot means formed in said output member for receiving said driving tang, second helical spring means having a left-hand lead drivingly connecting said input member to said output member, said second helical spring means having a driving tang, said output means having an elongated slot formed therein for receiving said driving tang and to permit said driving tang to move to an inactive position in response to the rotation of said input in one direction and to permit the driving tang to accommodate said driving tang when torque is being transmitted through the other of said spring means.

Claim 13

The flexible torque transmitting unit defined in Claim 6 and further including a supporting shaft driven directly by said input and extending through said unit and axially through said helical springs, said shaft having a driving head secured thereto, said output having a torque reaction pin projecting therefrom into said driving head, said driving head having spaced drive surfaces thereon which contact said torque reaction pin after predetermined deflection of said spring means to transmit the drive mechanically from said input to said output without further deflection of either of said spring means.