Torque transmission coupling

Claim 2

A coupling for transmitting rotary power, said coupling comprising: a. a plurality of flexible laminar elements; b. first means for holding said laminar elements in facing relationship, thereby creating a coupling flexing element having a coupling axis and two axial faces; c. a first pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished readially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a first hub; d. second means for affixing said first pilot ring to a first axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis; e. said first hub being integral with or adapted to be connected to a shaft for the transmission of rotary power and having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface that axis of which is at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and which is dimensioned to complement precision-finished radially symmetric surface on said first pilot ring; and f. third means for mounting said coupling flexing element on said first hub.

Claim 3

A coupling as recited in claim 1 wherein said first means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 4

A coupling as recited in claim 2 wherein said second means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first pilot ring in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first pilot ring.

Claim 5

A coupling as recited in claim 3 wherein a. said first fastening members are axially hollow and b. said third means comprises: i. a plurality of holes passing through said first hub in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of holes in said coupling flexing element; ii. a plurality of second fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside the axial hollow in one of said first fastening members and to pass through said first fastening member and said first hub; iii. a plurality of third nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the surface of said first hub on the side thereof opposite to said coupling flexing element; and iv. a plurality of fourth nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the one of said first and second nuts furthest removed from said first hub on the side of said nut furthest removed from said first hub.

Claim 6

A coupling as recited in claim 1 and further comprising a cylindrical shroud mounted on or integral with said first hub on the side thereof remote from said coupling flexing element, the axis of said cylindrical shroud being at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and the inner face of said cylindrical shroud being radially outside said third means.

Claim 7

A coupling as recited in claim 1 and further comprising: a. a second pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a second hub; b. fourth means for affixing said second pilot ring to the second axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis; c. said second hub being integral with or adapted to be connected to a shaft for the transmission of rotary power and having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface the axis of which is at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and which is dimensioned to complement the precision-finished radially symmetric surface on said second pilot ring; and d. fifth means for mounting said coupling flexing element on said second hub.

Claim 8

A coupling as recited in claim 6 wherein said first means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 9

A coupling as recited in claim 7 wherein said second and fourth means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first and second pilot rings in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first and second pilot rings.

Claim 10

A coupling as recited in claim 8 wherein a. said first fastening members are axially hollow and b. said third and fifth means comprise: i. a plurality of holes passing through at least one of said first and second hubs in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of holes in said coupling flexing element; ii. a plurality of second fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside the axial hollow in one of said first fastening members and to pass through said first fastening member and said at least one of said first and second hubs; iii. a plurality of third nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the surface of said at least one of said first and second hubs on the side thereof opposite to said coupling flexing element, and iv. a plurality of fourth nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the one of said first and second nuts furthest removed from said first hub on the side of said nut furthest removed from said first hub.

Claim 11

A coupling as recited in claim 6 and further comprising a cylindrical shroud mounted on or integral with said first and second hubs on the side thereof remote from said coupling flexing element, the axis of said cylindrical shroud being at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and the inner face of said cylindrical shroud being radially outside said third means.

Claim 12

A coupling as recited in claim 6 and further comprising a relatively inflexible torque transmission member having a torque transmission axis which is at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis, said second hub being mounted on or integral with said torque transmission member.

Claim 13

A coupling as recited in claim 11 wherein said first means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 14

A coupling as recited in claim 12 wherein said second and fourth means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first and second pilot rings in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first and second pilot rings.

Claim 15

A coupling as recited in claim 13 wherein a. said first fastening members are axially hollow and b. said third and fifth means comprise: i. a plurality of holes passing through at least one of said first and second hubs in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of holes in said coupling flexing element; ii. a plurality of second fastening members each of which is sized to fit lightly inside the axial hollow in one of said first fastening members and to pass through said first fastening member and said at least one of said first and second hubs; iii. a plurality of third nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the surface of said at least one of said first and second hubs on the side thereof opposite to said coupling flexing element, and iv. a plurality of fourth nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the one of said first and second nuts furthest removed from said first hub on the side of said nut furthest removed from said first hub.

Claim 16

A coupling as recited in claim 11 and further comprising a cylindrical shroud mounted on or integral with said first and second hubs on the side thereof remote from said coupling flexing element, the axis of said cylindrical shroud being at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and the inner face of said cylindrical shroud being radially outside said third means.

Claim 17

In a coupling for transmitting rotary power, said coupling comprising: a. a plurality of flexible laminar elements; b. first means for holding said laminar elements in facing relationship, thereby creating a coupling flexing element having a coupling axis and two axial faces; c. a first hub integral with or adapted to be connected to a shaft for the transmission of rotary power; and d. second means for mounting said coupling flexing element on said first hub, the improvement wherein e. said first hub has at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface the axis of which is at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and f. the coupling further comprises i. a first pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface dimensioned to complement the precision-finished radially symmetric surface on said first hub for aligning said first hub and said coupling flexing element and ii. third means for affixing said first pilot ring to a first axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 18

In a coupling for transmitting rotary power, said coupling comprising: a. a plurality of flexible laminar elements; b. first means for holding said laminar elements in facing relationship, thereby creating a coupling flexing element having a coupling axis and two axial faces; c. a first hub integral with or adapted to be connected to a shaft for the transmission of rotary power; and d. second means for mounting said coupling flexing element on said first hub, the improvement wherein e. said first hub has at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface the axis of which is at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and f. the coupling further comprises i. a first pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface dimensioned to complement the precision-finished radially symmetric surface on said first hub for aligning said first hub and said coupling flexing element and ii. third means for affixing said first pilot ring to a first axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 19

A coupling as recited in claim 16 wherein said first means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 20

A coupling as recited in claim 17 wherein said third means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first pilot ring in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first pilot ring.

Claim 21

A coupling as recited in claim 18 wherein a. said first fastening members are axially hollow and b. said second means comprises: i. a plurality of holes passing through said first hub in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of holes in said coupling flexing element; ii. a plurality of second fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside the axial hollow in one of said first fastening members and to pass through said first fastening member and said first hub; iii. a plurality of third nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the surface of said first hub on the side thereof opposite to said coupling flexing element; and iv. a plurality of fourth nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the one of said first and second nuts furthest removed from said first hub on the side of said nut furthest removed from said first hub.

Claim 22

A coupling as recited in claim 16 and further comprising a cylindrical shroud mounted on or integral with said first hub on the side thereof remote from said coupling flexing element, the axis of said cylindrical shroud being at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and the inner face of said cylindrical shroud being radially outside said second means.

Claim 23

A coupling as recited in claim 16 and further comprising: a. a second pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a second hub; b. fourth means for affixing said second pilot ring to the second axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis; c. said second hub being integral with or adapted to be connected to a shaft for the transmission of rotary power and having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface the axis of which is at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and which is dimensioned to complement the precision-finished radially symmetric surface on said second pilot ring; and d. fifth means for mounting said coupling flexing element on said second hub.

Claim 24

A coupling as recited in claim 21 wherein said first means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 25

A coupling as recited in claim 22 wherein said third and fourth means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first and second pilot rings in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first and second pilot rings.

Claim 26

A coupling as recited in claim 23 wherein a. said first fastening members are axially hollow and b. said second and fifth means comprise: i. a plurality of holes passing through at least one of said first and second hubs in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of holes in said coupling flexing element; ii. a plurality of second fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside the axial hollow in one of said first fastening members and to pass through said first fastening member and said at least one of said first and second hubs; iii. a plurality of third nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the surface of said at least one of said first and second hubs on the side thereof opposite to said coupling flexing element, and iv. a plurality of fourth nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the one of said first and second nuts furthest removed from said first hub on the side of said nut furthest removed from said first hub.

Claim 27

A coupling as recited in claim 16 and further comprising a cylindrical shroud mounted on or integral with said first and second hubs on the side thereof remote from said coupling flexing element, the axis of said cylindrical shroud being at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and the inner face of said cylindrical shroud being radially outside said second means.

Claim 28

A coupling as recited in claim 16 and further comprising a relatively inflexible torque transmission member having a torque transmission axis which is at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis, said second hub being mounted on or integral with said torque transmission members.

Claim 29

A coupling as recited in claim 26 wherein said first means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 30

A coupling as recited in claim 27 wherein said second and fourth means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first and second pilot rings in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first and second pilot rings.

Claim 31

A coupling as recited in claim 28 wherein a. said first fastening members are axially hollow and b. said third and fifth means comprise: i. a plurality of holes passing through at least one of said first and second hubs in the direction of their axes and in locations corresponding to the locations of holes in said coupling flexing element; ii. a plurality of second fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside the axial hollow in one of said first fastening members and to pass through said first fastening member and said at least one of said first and second hubs; iii. a plurality of third nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the surface of said at least one of said first and second hubs on the side thereof opposite to said coupling flexing element; and iv. a plurality of fourth nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of second fastening members and in abutting relationship with the one of said first and second nuts furthest removed from said first hub on the side of said nut furthest removed from said first hub.

Claim 32

A coupling as recited in claim 26 and further comprising a cylindrical shroud mounted on or integral with said first and second hubs on the side thereof remote from said coupling flexing element, the axis of said cylindrical shroud being at least approximately coincident with the coupling axis and the inner face of said cylindrical shroud being radially outside said third means.

Claim 33

A sub-assembly for a coupling for transmitting rotary power, said sub-assembly comprising: a. a plurality of flexible laminar elements; b. first means for holding said laminar elements in facing relationship, thereby creating a coupling flexing element having a coupling axis and two axial faces; c. a first pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a first hub; and d. second means for affixing said first pilot ring to a first axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 34

A sub-assembly for a coupling for transmitting rotary power, said sub-assembly comprising: a. a plurality of flexible laminar elements; b. first means for holding said laminar elements in facing relationship, thereby creating a coupling flexing element having a coupling axis and two axial faces; c. a first pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a first hub; and d. second means for affixing said first pilot ring to a first axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 35

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 31 wherein said first means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 36

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 32 wherein said second means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first pilot ring in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said couplig flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first pilot ring.

Claim 37

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 33 wherein said first fastening members are axially hollow.

Claim 38

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 31 and further comprising: a. a second pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a second hub and b. third means for affixing said second pilot ring to the second axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 39

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said first means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 40

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 36 wherein said second and third means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first pilot ring in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first pilot ring.

Claim 41

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 37 wherein said first fastening members are axially hollow.

Claim 42

In a sub-assembly for a coupling for transmitting rotary power, said sub-assembly comprisings: a. a plurality of flexible laminar elements and b. first means for holding said laminar elements in facing relationship, thereby creating a coupling flexing element having a coupling axis and two axial faces, the improvement wherein said sub-assembly further comprises: c. a first pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a first hub and d. second means for affixing said first pilot ring to a first axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 43

In a sub-assembly for a coupling for transmitting rotary power, said sub-assembly comprisings: a. a plurality of flexible laminar elements and b. first means for holding said laminar elements in facing relationship, thereby creating a coupling flexing element having a coupling axis and two axial faces, the improvement wherein said sub-assembly further comprises: c. a first pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a first hub and d. second means for affixing said first pilot ring to a first axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 44

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 39 wherein said first means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis. b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexing element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 45

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 40 wherein said second means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first pilot ring in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first pilot ring.

Claim 46

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 41 wherein said first fastening members are axially hollow.

Claim 47

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 39 and further comprising: a. a second pilot ring alignment means having at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface for aligning said coupling flexing element with a second hub and b. a third means for affixing said second pilot ring to the second axial face of said coupling flexing element such that the axis of the precision-finished radially symmetric surface is coincident with the coupling axis.

Claim 48

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 43 wherein said first means comprises: a. a plurality of holes passing through said coupling flexing element in the direction of its coupling axis; b. a plurality of first fastening members each of which is sized to fit tightly inside one of said plurality of holes in said coupling flexing element and to pass through said coupling flexing element; c. a plurality of first nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the first axial face of said coupling flexinng element; and d. a plurality of second nuts one of which is mounted on or integral with each of said plurality of first fastening members and in abutting relationship with the second axial face of said coupling flexing element.

Claim 49

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 44 wherein said second and third means comprise: a. a plurality of holes passing through said first pilot ring in the direction of its axis and in locations corresponding to the locations of said holes in said coupling flexing element and b. a press fit between said first fastening members and said holes in said first pilot ring.

Claim 50

A sub-assembly as recited in claim 45 wherein said first fastening members are axially hollow.