Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Spicer Technology Inc.

Roderick Brent Dillon

Trevor O'Bryan McKinney

Russell R Bow

Karl J Goede

Scott Allen Stucker

Michael L Gamble

Jeff D Buchanan

Ronald Lee Zimmerman

Samuel J Wirts

A push-type expandable fixture provided to secure a work-piece to a rotatable machine. An expandable sleeve is inserted within a bore of a hollow work-piece. The work-piece together with the expandable sleeve is disposed about a pair of wedge members which are in turn secured to a first rotatable portion of the machine. The wedge members engage a corresponding tapered internal surface of the expandable sleeve. The second wedge member is longitudinally displaceable relative to the first wedge member and together extends through the work-piece to engage a second rotatable portion of the machine. As the first and second rotatable portions of the machine are brought toward one another, the wedge members act on the tapered surfaces of the sleeve forcing the sleeve to radially expand and firmly grip the work-piece. The arrangement provides the ability to firmly secure a work-piece to a rotatable machine tool by a simple push-type action without the need to induce compression forces on the work-piece. The arrangement is especially suited for securing a differential side gear to a rotatable machine tool to allow roll forming of the side gear's bevel gear teeth.

Expanding sleeve fixture

An inspection device for inspecting production of threaded members wherein the threaded members are inspected to ensure that when the threaded member is matched with a corresponding threaded hole in an automotive drive system, the threaded member will mate properly to serve its intended purpose. The apparatus of the invention is formed as a three-piece gage assembly that checks for lead errors and length errors set forth in the threaded member. The combination gage includes a substantially cylindrical gage spacer, a threaded ring gage, and a flush gage pin, which is associated with the threaded ring gage, having a low end mark and a high end mark thereon. The markings indicate proper/improper axial length of the threaded portion. The preferred embodiment is used to evaluate a drive pinion shaft of an automotive axle assembly.

Thread gage system and method

An inspection device for inspecting production of splined members wherein the splined members are inspected to ensure that when the splined member is matched with a corresponding splined hole in an automotive drive system, the splined member will mate properly to serve its intended purpose. The apparatus of the invention is formed as a three-piece gage assembly that checks for lead errors and length errors set forth in the splined member. The combination gage includes a substantially cylindrical gage spacer, a splined ring gage, and a flush gage pin, which is associated with the splined ring gage, having a low end mark and a high end mark thereon. The markings indicate proper/improper axial length of the splined portion. The preferred embodiment is used to evaluate a drive pinion shaft of an automotive axle assembly.

Spline gage system and method

A bushing installation and removal assembly includes mounting table fitted with a vice fixture, a press/ram assembly having a controlled hydraulic press whereby a separate hydraulic repositioning system disposes the work piece into the press/ram assembly in a controlled manner. The worktable, fixtures and press/ram assembly are designed to receive and securely position the housing assembly (work piece) onto a controlled substrate. The substrate is then designed to reposition the housing assembly (work piece) proximate to the press ram, which suitably presses the bushing member onto the housing assembly (work piece). The substrate is then retracted to its original position where the housing assembly (work piece) is removed for further processing.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Roderick Brent Dillon