Gkn Automotive Ag

Gkn Technology Limited

Stephen Charles Bartlett

Richard Anthony Lloyd

A plunging, constant-velocity, tripode universal joint comprising a first rotary member ( ) having three trunnions ( ), a roller ( ) having a cylindrical bore mounted on a spherical surface ( ) on each trunnion so that the cylindrical bore engages the spherical surface and so that each roller can rotate, tilt and slide relative to its supporting trunnion, a second rotary member ( ) having three grooves parallel to its rotary axis, each roller being engaged with one of the grooves, the engagement between each roller and track surfaces in its associated groove being at three points such that the orientation of the roller with respect to the second member is determined solely by said engagement and wherein when the joint is transmitting torque each roller ( ) is only in contact with the track surface(s) ( ) through which the torque is being transmitted.

Tripode constant velocity joint

A rotary device comprising two elements (,) supported for rotation about an axis (,) and movable relative to one another along said axis, and diaphragm spring means (,) urging said elements axially relative to one another, said diaphragm spring means having radially inner and outer portions connected respectively to said elements and arranged such that said elements are constrained to movement in opposite directions by the same or substantially the same distance as one another about an axially fixed position.

Rotary device of variable diameter

Constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripode type

A universal joint comprising a first joint member having a rotational axis and a body connected to the first joint member for pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot axis intersecting and perpendicular to the rotational axis. The body comprises two trunnions extending along a trunnion axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the body and respective rollers are carried by the trunnions for rotation about the trunnion axis. The universal joint also comprises a second joint member having a rotational axis and affording two tracks extending lengthwise of the second joint member and diametrically opposed to one another about the rotational axis of the second joint member with the rollers being received in the tracks for torque transmission between the joint members by way of the body and rollers. Also provided for is centering the rotational axes of the first and second joint members relative to one another, and a guide member having respective portions cooperating with the first and second joint members and the body, and operative to maintain the trunnion axis in a plane bisecting the angle between the rotational axes of the first and second joint members.

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Bridgnorth, United Kingdom

Stephen Charles Bartlett