GB579504A - Coupling means for shafts and like torque-transmitting members - Google Patents

Abstract

579,504. Adjustable shaft couplings. BENDIX AVIATION CORPORATION. May 5, 1944, No. 8586. Convention date, May 14, 1943. [Class 80 (ii)] Relates to coupling means for two rotatable parts which permits of relative angular variation of the parts while transmitting a torque and in which the rotatable parts are formed with external splines at least one of which must be helical, or if both are helical, of differing hand or pitch, the said splines being engaged by internal splines on a coupling sleeve which is adjustable axially by fluid pressure means. According to the invention an annular element connected to the coupling sleeve by a ball or roller bearing is movable in one direction by fluid pressure means and in the opposite direction by resilient means. As applied to coupling a rotor of a magneto, or circuit breaker cam shaft, to a driving member of an engine or other prime mover a coupling sleeve 17 has splines engaging splines 18, 19, on sleeves 16, 12, respectively. The sleeve 18 is driven from the engine through the splines 18 and the sleeve 12 is connected to a sleeve 9 fixed to a driven shaft 5 by a ring 14 having ratchet teeth 13, 15 on opposite sides engaging teeth in the ends of the sleeves 9, 12. This ring 14 permits vernier relative angular adjustments of the sleeve 16 and shaft 5 when the parts are stationary if the nut 25 on the end of the end of the shaft 5 is slackened to permit axial separation of the sleeves 9, 12, against the action of a spring 21. The sleeve 17 is mounted by a ball or roller bearing 26 in a member 28 which is acted upon in one direction by a spring 30 and in the other direction by fluid pressure operated pistons 32. The fluid pressure may be made to depend upon the speed, load, oil pressure, or other operating characteristic of the engine or prime mover, and is admitted to the piston cylinders through a duct 36. Thus the axial position of the sleeve 17 and the relative angular position of the members 16, 5 varies according to the change in the said characteristic. In a modification the member 28 forms an annular piston, and in another modification the ratchet ring 15 is omitted.