US4265099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible coupling
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1979-03-02
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Granted: 1981-05-05
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Expires: 1999-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved flexible coupling for use in conjunction with a flexible high speed coupling shaft includes means for increasing the coupling axial stiffness while maintaining a high degree of alignment offset capability and the same overall shaft axial stiffness.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth O. Johnson
- 👤 Harold E. Fogg
- 👤 Ned A. Hope
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:52
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/50; F16D3/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An improved drive shaft including a driving member and driven member, an improved flexible coupling for transmitting torque from the driving member to the driven member comprising: a first diaphragm member which is connected to the driving member; a second diaphragm member which is connected to the driven member; and an annular flexible coupling member disposed axially between the diaphragm members, said coupling member including first and second radially extending discs, the first disc being connected to the first diaphragm member and the second disc being connected to the second diaphragm member, wherein the improvement comprises means for increasing the axial stiffness of the flexible coupling while maintaining alignment offset capability, wherein the means is comprised of a tie-bolt extending through the radial center of each of the diaphragm members, said tie-bolt including a pair of bosses thereon to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially converging and means for securing each axial end thereof to the diaphragm members in order to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially diverging.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An improved drive shaft including a driving member and driven member, an improved flexible coupling for transmitting torque from the driving member to the driven member comprising: a first diaphragm member which is connected to the driving member; a second diaphragm member which is connected to the driven member; and an annular flexible coupling member disposed axially between the diaphragm members, said coupling member including first and second radially extending discs, the first disc being connected to the first diaphragm member and the second disc being connected to the second diaphragm member, wherein the improvement comprises means for increasing the axial stiffness of the flexible coupling while maintaining alignment offset capability, wherein the means is comprised of a tie-bolt extending through the radial center of each of the diaphragm members, said tie-bolt including a pair of bosses thereon to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially converging and means for securing each axial end thereof to the diaphragm members in order to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially diverging.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
An improved flexible coupling comprising: first and second diaphragm members; an annular flexible coupling member disposed axially between the diaphragm members, said coupling member and including first and second radially extending discs, the first disc being connected to the first diaphragm member and the second disc being connected to the second diaphragm member; and means for increasing the axial stiffness of the flexible coupling while maintaining alignment offset capability, wherein the means is comprised of a tie-bolt extending through the radial center of each of the diaphragm members, said tie-bolt including a pair of bosses thereon to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially converging and means for securing each axial end thereof to the diaphragm members in order to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially diverging.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
An improved flexible coupling comprising: first and second diaphragm members; an annular flexible coupling member disposed axially between the diaphragm members, said coupling member and including first and second radially extending discs, the first disc being connected to the first diaphragm member and the second disc being connected to the second diaphragm member; and means for increasing the axial stiffness of the flexible coupling while maintaining alignment offset capability, wherein the means is comprised of a tie-bolt extending through the radial center of each of the diaphragm members, said tie-bolt including a pair of bosses thereon to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially converging and means for securing each axial end thereof to the diaphragm members in order to prevent the radial centers of the diaphragm members from axially diverging.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improved flexible coupling as recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein: the first diaphragm member includes a first annular flange extending axially therefrom; the second diaphragm member includes a second annular flange extending axially therefrom; and said flanges overlap and engage each other at an axial location which is substantially midway between the diaphragm members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved flexible coupling as recited in claim 3 wherein one of said flanges includes a rounded surface at its contact point with the other flange.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-04 | 1984-11-03 | 1985-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-04 | 1988-11-03 | 1989-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-04 | 1992-11-03 | 1993-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |