Gkn Driveline North America, Inc.

Noel Sutton

Donald W Dine

Shen-Ling Allen Wang

Eric James LaMothe

Samuel Oram

Tony N Arden

John A Ramey

Michael Madden

Steven L Leffingwell

Albert D Webb

Andrew Patrick Gregory

Pauline Maria Foster-Hamilton

Toshitaka Asai

Thomas C Walbridge

A joint apparatus includes an outer joint portion having an opening end, an outer joint axis, and an outer joint inside surface defining, at least in part, an internal vault. The joint apparatus also includes an inner joint portion including a spider interposed within the outer joint portion and a shaft extending through the opening end. The spider includes a trunnion. The trunnion is at least partially interposed within the vault. The shaft defines a shaft axis. The inner joint portion includes an angular range of motion limiting device that selectively restricts the articulation of the shaft relative to the outer joint to prevent the shaft from contacting the outer joint.

Articulation stop

A vehicle joint assembly is provided comprising an outer race having an outer surface and an inner surface. A pair of opposed slot tracks are formed in the inner cup surface and each comprise a track top wall and two track sidewalls. A barshaft is in communication with a bipod element comprised of a body portion and two opposed peg portions. Each of the two opposed peg portions comprises two opposed curved engagement surfaces engaging one of the track sidewalls. The bipod element is positioned within the outer race such that each of the opposed peg portions resides in one of the opposed slot tracks. The bipod element is capable of being positioned in a variety of angles within the slot tracks and is capable of plunging within the slot tracks.

Vehicle joint design utilizing bipode element

An embodiment of a constant velocity joint includes a first rotational member having a generally cylindrical surface. The generally cylindrical surface is defined, at least in part, by a groove portion. The constant velocity joint further includes a grease cover selectively positioned adjacent the first rotational member. An edge portion of the grease cover is positioned within the groove to at least partially retain the grease cover in a desired position.

Sealing assembly

An improved boot for use in sealing a constant velocity joint and ball spline joint assembly includes a plurality of articulating convolutes, a grease catching member, and a first stabilizing member adapted to ride above an inner race of the ball spline joint to join the plurality of articulating convolutes and the grease catching member and provide stability at high speed. The boot further includes a plurality of plunging convolutes and a second stabilizing member adapted to ride above an outer race of the ball spline joint to join the plurality of plunging convolutes and the grease catching member and provide additional stability.

Boot with articulating and plunging convolutes

A constant velocity joint is provided that includes an outer race having a bore with an inner surface, a cage arranged within the bore of the outer race, an inner race having an outer surface, a plurality of balls arranged within the cage, and a shaft connected to the inner race. The cage, outer race, inner race, and balls interrelate to center and support the cage. The cage remains in a non-supporting state with the outer race and the inner race through a no angle and a high angle position of the shaft.

High angle constant velocity joint

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Auburn Hills, MI, United States of America

Noel Sutton