Coupling means for a sectional drive shaft of a rotary mechanism

Claim 1

In a rotary piston mechanism having modular units and at least one split intermediate housing section, a multi-sectional drive shaft comprising a. a drive shaft section for each unit; b. passageway means extending longitudinally through each of said drive shaft sections and in registry with each other; c. means for connecting adjacent drive shaft sections in torque transmitting relationship adjacent each of the abutting surfaces of the split intermediate housing section comprising: 1. one drive shaft section having a coaxial annular first recess in one end portion; 2. the adjacent other drive shaft section having a cylindrical end portion receivable in the annular recess of said one drive shaft section; 3. a second recess having a tapered, annular surface in the end portion of said other drive shaft section; 4. force means separate from said drive shaft sections and having a peripheral surface of substantial complementary taper to the tapered surface of said second recess being disposed within said second recess; 5. actuating means accessible from outside the rotary mechanism through said passageway means for axially moving said force means relative to said second recess so as to exert radially outwardly directed forces on said one drive shaft section to expand the latter without axial movement of the drive shaft sections relative to each other and thereby maintain said drive shaft sections in tight abutting relationship for torque transmission.