Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Nexteer (beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Dennis R Hansen

Keith A Kozlowski

Federico Villalobos

Sergio Molinar

Jerry L Eaton

William Paul Skvarla

Andrew K Cummins

The invention provides a method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. The invention includes a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint. In one aspect, the invention includes a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In another aspect, the invention includes a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member. The primary boot is fixedly associated with respect to the outer joint member and slidably associated with said shaft.

Method for providing an improved sealing system for high speed applications

The universal joint includes an outer joint member having a rotational axis and three guide grooves extending parallel to its rotational axis. The three guide grooves are equally circumferentially spaced about the axis and each has opposed side portions. The universal joint also includes an inner joint member disposed inside the outer member. The inner joint member has a rotational axis and three arms equally spaced about this rotational axis extending radially into the guide grooves of the outer joint member. Each aim carries a roller having an external surface which engages the opposed side portions of the guide groove into which the arm extends. The roller is constrained to roll along the guide groove and each roller being able to rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm by which it is carried. The cross-sectional shape of the external surface of each roller is of a truncated arc shape and the cross-sectional shape of each guide groove side portion is different from the truncated arc shape of the roller external surface. The roller external surface and each guide groove side portion have angular contact engagement with one another at two spaced points which lie in the roller external surface and guide groove side portion. A radius of the arcuate shape of the external surface extends from a point at least as close to the roller external surface as a plane centered with respect to said roller along a path extending normal to the external surface.

Tripot ball with two point contact

An apparatus and method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. In a first aspect, a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In a second aspect, a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member. The primary boot is fixedly associated with respect to the outer joint member and slidably associated with said shaft. In a third aspect, a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint.

Sealing system for constant velocity joint

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Freeland, MI, United States of America

Dennis R Hansen