Dana Corporation

Other

James T Reynolds

Jeffrey A Dutkiewicz

Jerry Ellison Gould

Leon W Valencic

David W Maxwell

Donald A Rhoda

Gary L Smith

Anthony M Cox

Michael L Rhoades

A structure for positively retaining the bearing cups on the trunnions of a universal joint cross prior to assembly into a vehicle includes a cross having a body portion with a plurality of trunnions extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the trunnions has an annular ridge formed thereon defining an increased outer diameter. A bearing cup is rotatably mounted on each of the trunnions. Each of the bearing cups has a rigid dust guard attached thereto. Each of the dust guards has an inwardly extending portion that defines an inner diameter. The inner diameters defined by the inwardly extending portions of the dust guards are smaller than the outer diameters defined by the annular ridges. Thus, during installation, the inwardly extending portions of the dust guards snap over the outwardly extending ridges formed on the trunnions. In this manner, the bearing cups are positively retained on the trunnions during shipment.

Dust guard and cross assembly for a universal joint

A universal joint assembly includes a cross having a body and at least a pair of outwardly extending opposed trunnions. The trunnions define a trunnion axis. A bearing cup is rotatably mounted on each of the trunnions. A yoke includes a pair of opposed arms wherein each arm has an opening formed therethrough and aligned with the other arm opening to receive one of the bearing cups. Each of the openings defines a cylindrical surface having a cylindrical groove of a predetermined width formed therein. The yoke defines a yoke axis. A snap ring of a predetermined thickness is inserted into each of the grooves to retain the bearing cups on said trunnions. The width of each of the grooves is greater than the thickness of the snap rings to permit the cross to be selectively positioned with respect to the yoke. A staking operation fixes the position of the cross with respect to the yoke so that the cross center of gravity is aligned with the yoke axis.

Method and apparatus for retaining a bearing cup in a universal joint

A thrust washer for use in a universal joint having a preloading thrust surface includes a center aperture, an outer surface and an inner surface. A portion of the inner surface defines a thrust surface which contacts the outer end of the trunnion in only a limited contact area. The thrust surface may be located adjacent the outer circumference of the center aperture in the thrust washer. The thrust surface contacts only that portion of the outer end of the trunnion which is adjacent the outer circumference of the lubricant passageway extending through each trunnion. In one embodiment, the inner surface is tapered outwardly such that the thrust surface is defined by the thickest portion of the tapered surface. In another embodiment, the inner surface includes a plurality of protuberances located around the circumference of the center aperture such that these protuberances define the thrust surface. In both embodiments, a small preloading force is applied at the limited contact area on the trunnion which helps to reduce and/or eliminate any radial movement or play between the universal joint components. However, because the contact area is limited, the mount of preloading force is minimized such that the flex effort or torque required to cause the cross member to rotate within its bearing cups is not excessive. In both embodiments, the thrust washer is made from a resilient, deformable material which may be subject to wear such that the thrust surface may wear away after a short period of operation.

Thrust washer for universal joint having preloading thrust surfaces

An elastomeric seal assembly for use with a bearing cup mounted on a trunnion of a universal joint cross member includes an elastomeric seal attached to a metallic support ring. The metallic rings are pressed into the open ends of the bearing cups and are retained therein by friction. The elastomeric seals each include first, second and third radially inwardly extending sealing lips. When the bearing cups and sealing assemblies are mounted about the trunnions the annular lubricant sealing lip engages the frustoconical sealing surface of the trunnion. The annular lubricant sealing lip is slanted towards the closed end of the cup to prevent lubricant from flowing past the seal and out of the roller bearing region. The second sealing lip engages the cylindrical sealing surface of the trunnion and is slanted towards the open end of the cup to resist the entry of abrasive contaminants into the roller bearing region. A third sealing lip engages the cylindrical sealing surface of the trunnion and is slanted in the same direction as the first contaminant sealing lip. The second contaminant sealing lip resists the movement of contaminants towards the first contaminant sealing lip thereby prolonging the life of the seal and universal joint.

Seal for a universal joint trunnion

An apparatus for balancing an aluminum drive shaft uses a transition material to attach steel counterweights to the aluminum drive shaft. The transition material is disposed between an outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft and an inner surface of the steel counterweights. A resistance welding process is then applied to the aluminum drive shaft, the steel counterweights, and the transition material to resistance weld the inner surface of the steel counterweights to the outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft. The transition material has a first surface adjacent to the aluminum drive shaft and a second surface adjacent to the steel counterweights, with the first surface being aluminum and the second surface being steel. In a method of balancing an aluminum drive shaft, a resistance welding process is applied to the aluminum drive shaft, the steel counterweights, and the transition material to resistance weld the inner surface of the steel counterweights to the outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft.

Counterweight attachment technique

An apparatus for dynamically balancing a combined assembly of a drive shaft and axle input shaft for use in a vehicle drive train system. The apparatus includes a drive head adapted to be connected to one end of the drive shaft and a support head for supporting the axle. The support head includes a cradle plate extending upwardly from a base plate mounted on the apparatus. The cradle plate has an arcuate recess formed in the upper surface thereof which is adapted to receive and support a housing of the axle. A pair of support arms are also secured to the base plate, extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The support arms are adapted to be secured outwardly extending portions of the housing of the axle. The apparatus further includes first and second intermediate heads which are adapted to engage and support other portions of the drive train system. Sensors are provided on each of the heads for generating electrical signals which are representative of the amount of vibrations induced when the components of the drive train system are rotatably driven by the drive head. As a result, the combined assembly of the drive shaft and the axle input shaft can be dynamically balanced for use in the vehicle.

Apparatus for balancing a combined assembly of a drive shaft and axle

This invention is directed to a device and method for checking the torque of a journal cross and bearings combination. The device comprises means for clamping a universal joint, means connectable to the clamping means and through which torque is applied to the universal joint, the connecting means having means for sensing the amount of torque required to rotate the cross-member and for measuring the amount of torque sensed. The method includes the steps of positioning and clamping the device to the universal joint in relation to the cross-member of the universal joint, applying torque to the device until the cross-member rotates with the universal joint, and measuring the torque required to initiate rotation.

Device for measuring torque in a universal joint and method therefor

An improved bearing assembly is disclosed for supporting a split drive shaft of a vehicle. An inner, rotatable race of a bearing engages the drive shaft and an outer, non-rotatable race of the bearing is mounted in a resilient rubber block. The rubber block, which is connected through a bracket to the vehicle frame, permits limited radial and axial movement of the bearing. The bracket has a flange spaced from the rubber block to the rear of the bearing which limits axial movement of the bearing to prevent the drive shaft from pulling the bearing from the rubber block.

Center bearing bracket

A support for holding a fire extinguisher comprising a hollow elongated cylinder which has an opening extending lengthwise for insertion of a fire extinguisher. The inside dimensions and shape of the support closely conform to the outside dimension and shape of the extinguisher to securely hold the extinguisher within the support.

Growing community of inventors

Toledo, OH, United States of America

James T Reynolds