US20050064944A1 - Drive shaft balancing - Google Patents
Drive shaft balancing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050064944A1 US20050064944A1 US10/984,285 US98428504A US2005064944A1 US 20050064944 A1 US20050064944 A1 US 20050064944A1 US 98428504 A US98428504 A US 98428504A US 2005064944 A1 US2005064944 A1 US 2005064944A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- yoke
- balance
- balance weight
- base
- drive shaft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F15/00—Suppression of vibrations in systems; Means or arrangements for avoiding or reducing out-of-balance forces, e.g. due to motion
- F16F15/32—Correcting- or balancing-weights or equivalent means for balancing rotating bodies, e.g. vehicle wheels
- F16F15/322—Correcting- or balancing-weights or equivalent means for balancing rotating bodies, e.g. vehicle wheels the rotating body being a shaft
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C3/00—Shafts; Axles; Cranks; Eccentrics
- F16C3/02—Shafts; Axles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/21—Elements
- Y10T74/2186—Gear casings
- Y10T74/2188—Axle and torque tubes
Definitions
- the invention relates in general to drive shaft assemblies, such as are commonly found in the drive train systems of vehicles.
- this invention relates to improved balancing in such a vehicular drive shaft assembly.
- a vehicle drive shaft assembly delivers torque from a driving member, such as a transmission output shaft, to a driven member, such as an input-shaft to an axle assembly.
- a drive shaft assembly includes, in part, a hollow cylindrical drive shaft tube with a tube yoke welded to each end.
- Each tube yoke connects to and forms a part of a universal joint (U-joint).
- U-joints help provide the rotational driving connection while accommodating a limited amount of angular misalignment between the rotational axes of the members.
- the drive shaft tube with welded-on yokes will not be balanced about the axis of rotation for this assembly. This is especially true of the yokes, which have a much more complex shape than the tube. An out of balance drive shaft can induce excessive vibrations in the drive line, which is undesirable.
- a conventional way to assure a balanced drive shaft assembly is to mount a drive shaft on a balancing machine and spin it to test its balance about the axis of rotation. If found out of balance, small balancing weights are welded to the outer surface of the drive shaft tube or yokes on the lighter weight side. But this drive shaft balancing technique tends to create stress risers at the weld locations for the balance weights, which may tend to reduce the fatigue life of the drive shaft. It also creates the possibility that a balance weight may be thrown off during vehicle operation, causing the drive shaft to operate out of balance.
- the present invention relates to a vehicular drive shaft assembly adapted for being balanced about an axis of rotation.
- the vehicular drive shaft assembly includes a drive shaft tube having a first end and a second end, and a first tube yoke including a first radially outer wall fixedly mounted to the first end of the drive shaft tube.
- a first balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke
- a second balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke.
- a second tube yoke is fixedly mounted to the second end of the drive shaft tube.
- the present invention also relates to a method for balancing a vehicular drive shaft assembly comprising the steps of: mounting a first balance pendulum to a first tube yoke; mounting a second balance pendulum to the first balance pendulum; securing the first tube yoke to a first end of the drive shaft tube such that the first and second balance pendulums are located within the drive shaft tube; securing a second tube yoke to a second end of the drive shaft tube; measuring the out of balance of the vehicular drive shaft assembly after the first and second tube yokes have been secured to the drive shaft tube; if the vehicular drive shaft assembly measures out of balance, adjusting the orientation of at least one of the first balance pendulum and the second balance pendulum relative to the first tube yoke in response to the out of balance measurement; and rotationally fixing the first and second balance pendulums relative to the first tube yoke.
- An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that a vehicular drive shaft assembly can be balanced about an axis of rotation without creating additional stress risers associated with conventional drive shaft balancing.
- vehicular drive shaft assembly can be balanced for rotation about an axis in a relatively simple and accurate manner.
- a further advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that, with the balance weights located inside of the vehicular drive shaft assembly, the weights cannot be thrown off of the assembly during vehicle operation.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a drive shaft assembly in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2 - 2 in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an internal pendulum in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the internal pendulum of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the internal pendulum of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an external pendulum in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the external pendulum of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the external pendulum of FIG. 7 .
- the drive shaft assembly 20 includes a hollow, cylindrical drive shaft tube 22 .
- a first tube yoke 24 has a radially outer wall 25 that is secured, preferably welded, to a first end 26 of the drive shaft tube 22 .
- a second tube yoke 28 includes a radially outer wall 29 that is secured to a second end 30 of the drive shaft tube 22 .
- Each tube yoke 24 , 28 includes a pair of lugs, 32 , 34 , respectively, which connect to and form a part of conventional U-joints, not shown.
- the drive shaft assembly 20 is designed to and preferably rotates about an axis of rotation 35 in a perfectly balanced manner. But due to imperfections in fabrication and assembly, the drive shaft assembly 20 may rotate about this axis 35 in an unbalanced manner. For these unbalanced assemblies, a means for re-balancing each assembly is needed.
- a first outer balance pendulum 36 includes a balance weight 38 mounted on a pendulum arm 39 , which, in turn, is mounted on an outer pendulum base 40 .
- the outer pendulum base 40 is threaded into the first tube yoke 24 from within an internal cavity 41 formed by the radially outer wall 25 .
- a first inner balance pendulum 42 includes a balance weight 44 mounted on a pendulum arm 46 , which, in turn, is mounted on an inner pendulum base 48 .
- the inner pendulum base 48 is threaded into the outer pendulum base 40 , also from within the internal cavity 41 .
- each balance pendulum 36 , 42 is farther from the axis of rotation 35 . This provides a greater ability to adjust for an out of balance drive shaft assembly 20 , for a given total mass, than if the mass is all located close to the axis of rotation 35 . Also, since the tube yokes 24 , 28 tend to be more of a concern with creating an out of balance drive shaft assembly 20 , having the balance pendulums 36 , 42 mounted to the tube yoke 24 is preferable to mounting balancing weights to the drive shaft tube 22 .
- a second outer balance pendulum 50 includes a balance weight 52 mounted on a pendulum arm 54 , which, in turn, is mounted on an outer pendulum base 56 .
- the outer pendulum base 56 includes external threads 58 that thread into a bore 59 in the second tube yoke 28 from within an internal cavity 60 formed by the radially outer wall 29 .
- a second inner balance pendulum 62 includes a balance weight 64 mounted on a pendulum arm 66 , which, in turn, is mounted on an inner pendulum base 68 .
- the inner pendulum base 68 includes external threads 70 that thread into internal threads 72 in the outer pendulum base 56 , also from within the internal cavity 60 .
- these components may be formed with smooth journals that fit relatively snugly together. This will also provide for the limited movement needed to hold the components together until the drive shaft assembly 20 is balanced. Then, a tack weld or adhesive can be employed to hold the components in place relative to one another.
- the second outer balance pendulum 50 preferably also includes a slot 74 in the end of the base 56 that is exposed to the outside of the drive shaft assembly 20 .
- the slot 74 provides two functions. First, it can be used to determine the orientation of the second outer balance pendulum 50 after the first tube yoke 24 and second tube yoke 28 have been secured to the drive shaft tube 22 . Second, a tool, not shown, can be inserted into the slot and rotated in order to adjust the orientation of the second outer balance pendulum 50 as needed during the drive shaft assembly balancing operation, discussed below.
- the slot 74 provides these functions while minimizing the amount that the base 56 extends toward the lugs 34 ; thus, the second outer balance pendulum 50 can perform its overall balancing function without interfering with the U-joint, not shown, that attaches to the lugs 34 .
- the second inner balance pendulum 62 preferably has a slot 76 in the end of the base 68 that is exposed to the outside of the drive shaft assembly 20 , similar to that of the outer balance pendulum 50 .
- the purpose of this slot 76 is the same as with the other slot 74 .
- both the second outer and inner balance pendulums 50 , 62 can be independently adjusted as needed to balance the drive shaft while not interfering with the adjacent U-joint.
- the first outer balance pendulum 36 and the first inner balance pendulum 42 also preferably have these types of slots for determining and adjusting their orientation after the first tube yoke 24 has been secured to the drive shaft tube 22 .
- the assembly and balancing of the drive shaft assembly 20 is preferably accomplished as follows.
- the first outer balance pendulum 36 is screwed into the first tube yoke 24 until its base 40 just slightly extends from the exterior thereof.
- the first inner balance pendulum 42 is screwed into the first outer balance pendulum 36 until its base 56 just slightly extends from the exterior of the tube yoke 24 and the balance weight 52 of the inner pendulum 42 is about 180 degrees from the balance weight 44 of the outer pendulum 36 :
- the inner pendulum 42 may be screwed into the outer pendulum 36 and aligned prior to installing the outer pendulum 36 into the first tube yoke 24 .
- a common liquid material (not shown) for causing the threads to stick may be placed on at this time, or it may be placed on the threads of the balance pendulums 36 , 42 prior to screwing them to the first tube yoke 24 .
- the thread stick would not be meant to lock the parts in place, but to create a relatively high amount of friction so they would resist freely turning relative to one another.
- the shape and size of the first outer pendulum 36 is preferably coordinated with the shape and size of the first inner pendulum 42 so that, when oriented 180 degrees from one another, they will be balanced about the axis of rotation 35 . This will minimize the likelihood that the pendulums 36 , 42 will cause an imbalance in the drive shaft assembly 20 as initially installed.
- the same assembly procedure is then followed for the second tube yoke 28 and its balance pendulums 50 , 62 .
- the two tube yokes 24 , 28 are then inserted into and welded to the respective first and second ends 26 , 30 of the drive shaft tube 22 .
- the drive shaft assembly 20 is mounted on a conventional balancing machine (not shown) and rotated about its axis of rotation 35 in order to determine where, if any, out of balance exists.
- the thread stick will help keep the balance pendulums 36 , 42 , 50 , 62 from rotating relative to each other or the tube yokes 24 , 28 during the testing.
- a conventional wrench, or some other tool that will fit into the slots 74 , 76 can be employed to rotated one or more of the balance pendulums 36 , 42 , 50 , 62 in order to create a drive shaft assembly 20 that will rotate in a balanced manner about its axis of rotation 35 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates the second balance pendulums 50 , 62 still at 180 degrees
- FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the first balance pendulums 36 , 42 rotated after a balance test in order to allow for an overall balanced drive shaft assembly 20 .
- all four of the balance pendulums 36 , 42 , 50 , 62 can be moved independently of each other in order to allow for balancing of the drive shaft assembly 20 about the rotation axis 35 .
- the outer balance pendulums 36 , 50 are preferably locked in place with a tack weld 80 (only shown for the second tube yoke 28 ) between each outer pendulum 36 , 50 and its corresponding tube yoke 24 , 28
- the inner balance pendulums 42 , 62 are preferably locked in place with the tack weld 82 (only shown for the second tube yoke 28 ) between each inner pendulum 42 , 62 and its corresponding outer pendulum 36 , 50 .
- jam nuts, a thread adhesive, or some other means may be employed to secure the balance pendulums in position.
- the drive shaft assembly 20 is now balanced and ready to be installed in a vehicle.
Abstract
A vehicular drive shaft assembly is balanced about an axis of rotation. The vehicular drive shaft assembly includes a drive shaft tube having a first end and a second end, with a first tube yoke including a first radially outer wall fixedly mounted to the first end of the drive shaft tube. A first balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke, and a second balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and is also rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke. The balance pendulums can be rotated before being locked in place in order to account for imbalances in the drive shaft assembly. A second tube yoke fixedly mounted to the second end of the drive shaft tube may also include balance pendulums, similar to the first, in order to provide additional drive shaft assembly balancing capabilities.
Description
- The invention relates in general to drive shaft assemblies, such as are commonly found in the drive train systems of vehicles. In particular, this invention relates to improved balancing in such a vehicular drive shaft assembly.
- A vehicle drive shaft assembly delivers torque from a driving member, such as a transmission output shaft, to a driven member, such as an input-shaft to an axle assembly. In many vehicles, a drive shaft assembly includes, in part, a hollow cylindrical drive shaft tube with a tube yoke welded to each end. Each tube yoke connects to and forms a part of a universal joint (U-joint). These U-joints help provide the rotational driving connection while accommodating a limited amount of angular misalignment between the rotational axes of the members.
- Often times, due to manufacturing variations, the drive shaft tube with welded-on yokes will not be balanced about the axis of rotation for this assembly. This is especially true of the yokes, which have a much more complex shape than the tube. An out of balance drive shaft can induce excessive vibrations in the drive line, which is undesirable.
- A conventional way to assure a balanced drive shaft assembly is to mount a drive shaft on a balancing machine and spin it to test its balance about the axis of rotation. If found out of balance, small balancing weights are welded to the outer surface of the drive shaft tube or yokes on the lighter weight side. But this drive shaft balancing technique tends to create stress risers at the weld locations for the balance weights, which may tend to reduce the fatigue life of the drive shaft. It also creates the possibility that a balance weight may be thrown off during vehicle operation, causing the drive shaft to operate out of balance.
- Thus, it is desirable to have a balanced drive shaft for use in a vehicle without the drawbacks associated with conventional drive shaft balancing.
- The present invention relates to a vehicular drive shaft assembly adapted for being balanced about an axis of rotation. The vehicular drive shaft assembly includes a drive shaft tube having a first end and a second end, and a first tube yoke including a first radially outer wall fixedly mounted to the first end of the drive shaft tube. A first balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke, and a second balance pendulum is located radially inward of the first outer wall and rotationally fixable relative to the first tube yoke. Also a second tube yoke is fixedly mounted to the second end of the drive shaft tube.
- The present invention also relates to a method for balancing a vehicular drive shaft assembly comprising the steps of: mounting a first balance pendulum to a first tube yoke; mounting a second balance pendulum to the first balance pendulum; securing the first tube yoke to a first end of the drive shaft tube such that the first and second balance pendulums are located within the drive shaft tube; securing a second tube yoke to a second end of the drive shaft tube; measuring the out of balance of the vehicular drive shaft assembly after the first and second tube yokes have been secured to the drive shaft tube; if the vehicular drive shaft assembly measures out of balance, adjusting the orientation of at least one of the first balance pendulum and the second balance pendulum relative to the first tube yoke in response to the out of balance measurement; and rotationally fixing the first and second balance pendulums relative to the first tube yoke.
- An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that a vehicular drive shaft assembly can be balanced about an axis of rotation without creating additional stress risers associated with conventional drive shaft balancing.
- Another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that the vehicular drive shaft assembly can be balanced for rotation about an axis in a relatively simple and accurate manner.
- A further advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is that, with the balance weights located inside of the vehicular drive shaft assembly, the weights cannot be thrown off of the assembly during vehicle operation.
- Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
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FIG. 1 is a plan view of a drive shaft assembly in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a cross section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 3-3 inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an internal pendulum in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the internal pendulum ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the internal pendulum ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an external pendulum in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the external pendulum ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the external pendulum ofFIG. 7 . - Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
FIGS. 1-9 adrive shaft assembly 20 and its components. Thedrive shaft assembly 20 includes a hollow, cylindricaldrive shaft tube 22. Afirst tube yoke 24 has a radiallyouter wall 25 that is secured, preferably welded, to afirst end 26 of thedrive shaft tube 22. Asecond tube yoke 28 includes a radiallyouter wall 29 that is secured to asecond end 30 of thedrive shaft tube 22. Eachtube yoke drive shaft assembly 20 is designed to and preferably rotates about an axis ofrotation 35 in a perfectly balanced manner. But due to imperfections in fabrication and assembly, thedrive shaft assembly 20 may rotate about thisaxis 35 in an unbalanced manner. For these unbalanced assemblies, a means for re-balancing each assembly is needed. - A first
outer balance pendulum 36 includes abalance weight 38 mounted on apendulum arm 39, which, in turn, is mounted on anouter pendulum base 40. Theouter pendulum base 40 is threaded into thefirst tube yoke 24 from within aninternal cavity 41 formed by the radiallyouter wall 25. A firstinner balance pendulum 42 includes abalance weight 44 mounted on apendulum arm 46, which, in turn, is mounted on aninner pendulum base 48. Theinner pendulum base 48 is threaded into theouter pendulum base 40, also from within theinternal cavity 41. - By mounting the
balance weights pendulum arms balance pendulum rotation 35. This provides a greater ability to adjust for an out of balancedrive shaft assembly 20, for a given total mass, than if the mass is all located close to the axis ofrotation 35. Also, since thetube yokes drive shaft assembly 20, having thebalance pendulums tube yoke 24 is preferable to mounting balancing weights to thedrive shaft tube 22. - A second
outer balance pendulum 50 includes abalance weight 52 mounted on apendulum arm 54, which, in turn, is mounted on anouter pendulum base 56. Theouter pendulum base 56 includesexternal threads 58 that thread into abore 59 in thesecond tube yoke 28 from within aninternal cavity 60 formed by the radiallyouter wall 29. A secondinner balance pendulum 62 includes abalance weight 64 mounted on apendulum arm 66, which, in turn, is mounted on aninner pendulum base 68. Theinner pendulum base 68 includesexternal threads 70 that thread intointernal threads 72 in theouter pendulum base 56, also from within theinternal cavity 60. As an alternative to internal and external threads on these components, they may be formed with smooth journals that fit relatively snugly together. This will also provide for the limited movement needed to hold the components together until thedrive shaft assembly 20 is balanced. Then, a tack weld or adhesive can be employed to hold the components in place relative to one another. - The second
outer balance pendulum 50 preferably also includes aslot 74 in the end of thebase 56 that is exposed to the outside of thedrive shaft assembly 20. Theslot 74 provides two functions. First, it can be used to determine the orientation of the secondouter balance pendulum 50 after thefirst tube yoke 24 andsecond tube yoke 28 have been secured to thedrive shaft tube 22. Second, a tool, not shown, can be inserted into the slot and rotated in order to adjust the orientation of the secondouter balance pendulum 50 as needed during the drive shaft assembly balancing operation, discussed below. Theslot 74 provides these functions while minimizing the amount that thebase 56 extends toward thelugs 34; thus, the secondouter balance pendulum 50 can perform its overall balancing function without interfering with the U-joint, not shown, that attaches to thelugs 34. - The second
inner balance pendulum 62 preferably has aslot 76 in the end of thebase 68 that is exposed to the outside of thedrive shaft assembly 20, similar to that of theouter balance pendulum 50. The purpose of thisslot 76 is the same as with theother slot 74. In this way, both the second outer andinner balance pendulums outer balance pendulum 36 and the firstinner balance pendulum 42 also preferably have these types of slots for determining and adjusting their orientation after thefirst tube yoke 24 has been secured to thedrive shaft tube 22. - The assembly and balancing of the
drive shaft assembly 20 is preferably accomplished as follows. The firstouter balance pendulum 36 is screwed into thefirst tube yoke 24 until itsbase 40 just slightly extends from the exterior thereof. Then, the firstinner balance pendulum 42 is screwed into the firstouter balance pendulum 36 until itsbase 56 just slightly extends from the exterior of thetube yoke 24 and thebalance weight 52 of theinner pendulum 42 is about 180 degrees from thebalance weight 44 of the outer pendulum 36: Alternatively, theinner pendulum 42 may be screwed into theouter pendulum 36 and aligned prior to installing theouter pendulum 36 into thefirst tube yoke 24. A common liquid material (not shown) for causing the threads to stick may be placed on at this time, or it may be placed on the threads of thebalance pendulums first tube yoke 24. The thread stick would not be meant to lock the parts in place, but to create a relatively high amount of friction so they would resist freely turning relative to one another. - The shape and size of the first
outer pendulum 36 is preferably coordinated with the shape and size of the firstinner pendulum 42 so that, when oriented 180 degrees from one another, they will be balanced about the axis ofrotation 35. This will minimize the likelihood that thependulums drive shaft assembly 20 as initially installed. - The same assembly procedure is then followed for the
second tube yoke 28 and itsbalance pendulums tube yokes drive shaft tube 22. - The
drive shaft assembly 20 is mounted on a conventional balancing machine (not shown) and rotated about its axis ofrotation 35 in order to determine where, if any, out of balance exists. The thread stick will help keep thebalance pendulums slots balance pendulums drive shaft assembly 20 that will rotate in a balanced manner about its axis ofrotation 35.FIG. 3 illustrates thesecond balance pendulums FIG. 2 illustrates an example of thefirst balance pendulums drive shaft assembly 20. - With this invention, all four of the
balance pendulums drive shaft assembly 20 about therotation axis 35. Once balanced, theouter balance pendulums outer pendulum corresponding tube yoke inner balance pendulums inner pendulum outer pendulum drive shaft assembly 20 is now balanced and ready to be installed in a vehicle. - In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
Claims (24)
1-18. (Cancelled).
19. A yoke and balance weight assembly comprising:
a yoke; and
a balance pendulum including a base that is supported on said yoke and a balance weight that is supported on said base.
20. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said yoke is a tube yoke including a radially outer wall and a pair of lugs.
21. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said balance pendulum includes a base that is supported on said yoke, an arm that extends from said base, and a balance weight that is supported on said arm.
22. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said base includes a threaded portion that engages a threaded bore formed in said yoke.
23. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said yoke defines an axis of rotation, and wherein said base is supported on said yoke co-axially relative to said axis of rotation.
24. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said base has a structure that indicates the orientation of the balance weight relative to the yoke.
25. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 24 wherein said structure is a slot formed in said base.
26. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said base has a structure to adjust the orientation of the balance weight relative to the yoke.
27. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 26 wherein said structure is a slot formed in said base.
28. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said balance pendulum is selectively movable relative to said yoke.
29. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 further including a structure for retaining said balance pendulum in a predetermined position relative to said yoke.
30. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 19 wherein said balance pendulum is a first balance pendulum including a first base that is supported on said yoke and a first balance weight that is supported on said first base, and further including a second balance pendulum including a second base that is supported on said yoke and a second balance weight that is supported on said second base.
31. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 30 wherein said first balance pendulum includes a first base that is supported on said first yoke, a first arm that extends from said first base, and a first balance weight that is supported on said first arm, and wherein said second balance pendulum includes a second base that is supported on said second yoke, a second arm that extends from said second base, and a second balance weight that is supported on said second arm.
32. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 30 wherein said first base includes a threaded portion that engages a threaded bore formed in said yoke.
33. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 32 wherein said second base includes a threaded portion that engages a threaded bore formed in said first base.
34. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 30 wherein said yoke defines an axis of rotation, and wherein said first base is supported on said yoke co-axially relative to said axis of rotation.
35. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 34 wherein said yoke defines an axis of rotation, and wherein said second base is supported on said yoke co-axially relative to said axis of rotation.
36. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 30 wherein said first base has a structure that indicates the orientation of the balance weight relative to the yoke.
37. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 36 wherein said second base has a structure that indicates the orientation of the balance weight relative to the yoke.
38. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 30 wherein said first base has a structure to adjust the orientation of the balance weight relative to the yoke.
39. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 38 wherein said second base has a structure to adjust the orientation of the balance weight relative to the yoke.
40. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 30 wherein said first and second balance pendulums are selectively movable relative to said yoke.
41. The yoke and balance weight assembly defined in claim 30 further including structures for respectively retaining said first and second balance pendulums in predetermined positions relative to said yoke.
Priority Applications (1)
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US10/984,285 US20050064944A1 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2004-11-09 | Drive shaft balancing |
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US10/644,381 US6813973B1 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2003-08-20 | Drive shaft balancing |
US10/984,285 US20050064944A1 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2004-11-09 | Drive shaft balancing |
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US10/644,381 Continuation US6813973B1 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2003-08-20 | Drive shaft balancing |
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US10/644,381 Expired - Fee Related US6813973B1 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2003-08-20 | Drive shaft balancing |
US10/984,285 Abandoned US20050064944A1 (en) | 2003-08-20 | 2004-11-09 | Drive shaft balancing |
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DE10258381B3 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2004-08-26 | Gkn Driveline Deutschland Gmbh | Drive shaft and method and device for the production thereof |
US9046148B2 (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2015-06-02 | Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation | Active force generation system for minimizing vibration in a rotating system |
US8435002B2 (en) * | 2004-08-30 | 2013-05-07 | Lord Corporation | Helicopter vibration control system and rotating assembly rotary forces generators for canceling vibrations |
US8056411B2 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2011-11-15 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Shaft balancing system and methods |
DE102019202048A1 (en) | 2019-02-15 | 2020-08-20 | Off-Highway Powertrain Services Germany GmbH | Journal cross and universal joint containing one such |
DE102019208713A1 (en) * | 2019-06-14 | 2020-12-17 | Off-Highway Powertrain Services Germany GmbH | PTO SHAFT |
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US1631408A (en) * | 1926-05-20 | 1927-06-07 | Fetty Charlie Camdon | Counterbalancing means for well-pumping apparatus |
US1898459A (en) * | 1928-04-26 | 1933-02-21 | Edward C Newcomb | Crank shaft balancing |
US2184734A (en) * | 1935-09-21 | 1939-12-26 | Wright Aeronautical Corp | Rocking dynamic damper |
US2306959A (en) * | 1939-10-19 | 1942-12-29 | Continental Aviat & Eng Corp | Crankshaft dynamic balancing means |
US2307518A (en) * | 1939-10-10 | 1943-01-05 | Wright Aeronautical Corp | Dynamic damper counterweight |
US2313024A (en) * | 1938-12-07 | 1943-03-02 | Salomon Francois Marie Bernard | Device adapted to eliminate oscillations |
US2327607A (en) * | 1941-03-05 | 1943-08-24 | Clare F Saltz | Balancing rotating element |
US2441157A (en) * | 1947-01-10 | 1948-05-11 | Kissel Joseph | Caging mechanism for gyroscopes |
US3107459A (en) * | 1960-07-21 | 1963-10-22 | Norton Co | Automatic balancing means |
US3715533A (en) * | 1971-04-02 | 1973-02-06 | Emdeko Int Inc | Vehicle pendulum alarm switch |
US3940948A (en) * | 1973-09-27 | 1976-03-02 | Gelenkwellenbau Gmbh | Universal joint shaft |
US4040576A (en) * | 1975-12-10 | 1977-08-09 | The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company | Retractor lock and pawl saddle therefor |
US4239456A (en) * | 1979-05-10 | 1980-12-16 | Textron, Inc. | Rotor blade out-of-plane centrifugal pendulums |
US4527951A (en) * | 1982-07-13 | 1985-07-09 | Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung | Pendulum for damping or eliminating low excitation frequencies |
US4626144A (en) * | 1984-03-21 | 1986-12-02 | Urma Aktiengesellschaft | Boring tool with balancing means for non-vibrating boring |
US4739679A (en) * | 1986-01-23 | 1988-04-26 | Ford Motor Company | Bifilar pendulum vibration damper for automotive installation |
US4776304A (en) * | 1985-11-19 | 1988-10-11 | Akira Korosue | Movement converter for use in an engine and the like |
US5188194A (en) * | 1990-05-15 | 1993-02-23 | Viscodrive Gmbh | Drive assembly for a four wheel drive vehicle |
US5234378A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1993-08-10 | Ford Motor Company | Balanced rotary assembly |
US5483932A (en) * | 1994-04-21 | 1996-01-16 | Simpson Industries, Inc. | Hollow balance shaft |
US5836823A (en) * | 1996-02-28 | 1998-11-17 | Dana Corporation | Webbed yoke for universal joint |
US5983752A (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 1999-11-16 | Columbia Machine, Inc. | Adjustable counterweight system for a machine for forming concrete blocks, pavers or the like |
US6082186A (en) * | 1997-04-23 | 2000-07-04 | Ncr Corporation | Adjustable balance weight |
US6164259A (en) * | 1998-07-28 | 2000-12-26 | Teledyne Technologies Incorporated | Engine balance apparatus and accessory drive device |
US6319134B1 (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 2001-11-20 | American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Aluminum drive shaft |
US6427657B1 (en) * | 2001-04-17 | 2002-08-06 | Teledyne Technologies Incorporated | Engine balance apparatus and accessory drive device |
US6470580B1 (en) * | 1999-10-29 | 2002-10-29 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Tilt sensor |
US20030050127A1 (en) * | 2001-09-13 | 2003-03-13 | Barrett Mark S. | Method and apparatus for balancing driveshafts |
US20030224862A1 (en) * | 2002-05-28 | 2003-12-04 | Hans-Jurgen Schultze | Universal joint having a balancing arrangement |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE3906116C1 (en) * | 1989-02-28 | 1990-06-13 | Gkn Cardantec International Gesellschaft Fuer Antriebstechnik Mbh, 4300 Essen, De | |
JP2001021003A (en) * | 1999-07-06 | 2001-01-26 | Toyota Motor Corp | Vehicular joint |
-
2003
- 2003-08-20 US US10/644,381 patent/US6813973B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-11-09 US US10/984,285 patent/US20050064944A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (29)
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US1631408A (en) * | 1926-05-20 | 1927-06-07 | Fetty Charlie Camdon | Counterbalancing means for well-pumping apparatus |
US1898459A (en) * | 1928-04-26 | 1933-02-21 | Edward C Newcomb | Crank shaft balancing |
US2184734A (en) * | 1935-09-21 | 1939-12-26 | Wright Aeronautical Corp | Rocking dynamic damper |
US2313024A (en) * | 1938-12-07 | 1943-03-02 | Salomon Francois Marie Bernard | Device adapted to eliminate oscillations |
US2307518A (en) * | 1939-10-10 | 1943-01-05 | Wright Aeronautical Corp | Dynamic damper counterweight |
US2306959A (en) * | 1939-10-19 | 1942-12-29 | Continental Aviat & Eng Corp | Crankshaft dynamic balancing means |
US2327607A (en) * | 1941-03-05 | 1943-08-24 | Clare F Saltz | Balancing rotating element |
US2441157A (en) * | 1947-01-10 | 1948-05-11 | Kissel Joseph | Caging mechanism for gyroscopes |
US3107459A (en) * | 1960-07-21 | 1963-10-22 | Norton Co | Automatic balancing means |
US3715533A (en) * | 1971-04-02 | 1973-02-06 | Emdeko Int Inc | Vehicle pendulum alarm switch |
US3940948A (en) * | 1973-09-27 | 1976-03-02 | Gelenkwellenbau Gmbh | Universal joint shaft |
US4040576A (en) * | 1975-12-10 | 1977-08-09 | The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company | Retractor lock and pawl saddle therefor |
US4239456A (en) * | 1979-05-10 | 1980-12-16 | Textron, Inc. | Rotor blade out-of-plane centrifugal pendulums |
US4527951A (en) * | 1982-07-13 | 1985-07-09 | Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung | Pendulum for damping or eliminating low excitation frequencies |
US4626144A (en) * | 1984-03-21 | 1986-12-02 | Urma Aktiengesellschaft | Boring tool with balancing means for non-vibrating boring |
US4776304A (en) * | 1985-11-19 | 1988-10-11 | Akira Korosue | Movement converter for use in an engine and the like |
US4739679A (en) * | 1986-01-23 | 1988-04-26 | Ford Motor Company | Bifilar pendulum vibration damper for automotive installation |
US5188194A (en) * | 1990-05-15 | 1993-02-23 | Viscodrive Gmbh | Drive assembly for a four wheel drive vehicle |
US5234378A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1993-08-10 | Ford Motor Company | Balanced rotary assembly |
US5483932A (en) * | 1994-04-21 | 1996-01-16 | Simpson Industries, Inc. | Hollow balance shaft |
US5836823A (en) * | 1996-02-28 | 1998-11-17 | Dana Corporation | Webbed yoke for universal joint |
US6319134B1 (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 2001-11-20 | American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Aluminum drive shaft |
US6082186A (en) * | 1997-04-23 | 2000-07-04 | Ncr Corporation | Adjustable balance weight |
US5983752A (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 1999-11-16 | Columbia Machine, Inc. | Adjustable counterweight system for a machine for forming concrete blocks, pavers or the like |
US6164259A (en) * | 1998-07-28 | 2000-12-26 | Teledyne Technologies Incorporated | Engine balance apparatus and accessory drive device |
US6470580B1 (en) * | 1999-10-29 | 2002-10-29 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Tilt sensor |
US6427657B1 (en) * | 2001-04-17 | 2002-08-06 | Teledyne Technologies Incorporated | Engine balance apparatus and accessory drive device |
US20030050127A1 (en) * | 2001-09-13 | 2003-03-13 | Barrett Mark S. | Method and apparatus for balancing driveshafts |
US20030224862A1 (en) * | 2002-05-28 | 2003-12-04 | Hans-Jurgen Schultze | Universal joint having a balancing arrangement |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US6813973B1 (en) | 2004-11-09 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGIES LLC,OHIO Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:017240/0259 Effective date: 20060101 Owner name: TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGIES LLC, OHIO Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:017240/0259 Effective date: 20060101 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |