US4579545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible coupling using toroidal joint
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1983-09-01
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Granted: 1986-04-01
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Expires: 2003-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A flexible coupling (11) is formed with a toroidal diaphragm (21-22) as its flexible member. A pair of half-toroids (21-22) are fixed to inner rings (25, 26) and outer rings (27, 28) in order to effect connections. The inner rings (25, 26) are connected, respectively, to drive shaft sections (13, 14). The outer rings (27, 28) are used to connect the half-toroids (21-22) to each other. Torque from one of the drive shaft sections (13) is passed through one of the inner rings (23), through one of the diaphragms (21) through the outer rings (27 and 28) to the other diaphragms (22), the other inner ring (26) and to the other drive shaft section (14). Advantages include increased flexibility of a flexible coupling of a type which uses no bearing parts.
Inventors
- 👤 F. Abbott Chapman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:38
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/50; F16D3/72; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between first and second shaft sections, wherein the first shaft section is positioned in approximate alignment with the second shaft section, characterized by: a metallic diaphragm having a neutral shape of a pair of half-toroids, having inner open ends and outer open ends, the half-toroids joined together by outer attachment rings which are welded by the diaphragm at the outer open ends and not at the inner open ends to approximate a toroid which is closed except at the inner open ends; each half toroid being formed as a plane open curved rotated about a center axis, in which, when the diaphragm is in the neutral state, at least one focus of the plane open curve is within its half-toroid; means for attaching each of the inner open ends to the first and second shafts, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between first and second shaft sections, wherein the first shaft section is positioned in approximate alignment with the second shaft section, characterized by: a metallic diaphragm having a neutral shape of a pair of half-toroids, having inner open ends and outer open ends, the half-toroids joined together by outer attachment rings which are welded by the diaphragm at the outer open ends and not at the inner open ends to approximate a toroid which is closed except at the inner open ends; each half toroid being formed as a plane open curved rotated about a center axis, in which, when the diaphragm is in the neutral state, at least one focus of the plane open curve is within its half-toroid; means for attaching each of the inner open ends to the first and second shafts, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, further characterized in that: the half-toroids each have a neutral shape which is approximately defined by a parabolic curve rotated about a center axis of the half-toroid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2, further characterized in that: each half toroid is formed as a plane open curve rotated about a center axis, in which, when the diaphragm is in the neutral state, at least one focus of the plane open curve is within its half-toroid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3, further characterized in that: the half-toroids are configured so that, during normal operation, the approximate location of said focus remains within the plane open curve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, further characterized by: the half-toroids being configured so that, during normal operation, the approximate location of said focus remains within the plane open curve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, further characterized in that: each half-toroid is fixed at its inner open end to an inner attachment ring, the inner attachment ring being attachable to one of the shaft sections; the flexible couplng is completed in its assembly by firstly attaching the inner attachment rings to the shaft sections and secondly attaching together the outer attachment rings associated with each half-toroid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6, further characterized in that: the outer attachment rings are substantially rigid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6, further characterized in that: the outer attachment rings are substantially flexible.
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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) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-09-30 | 1990-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-09-30 | 1994-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-31 | 1997-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |