Gkn Automotive Gmbh

Gkn Driveline North America, Inc.

Gkn Automotive Components, Inc.

Steven C Hahn

Daniel W Hazebrook

Robert A Benson

Hans Wormsbaecher

Noel W Sutton

Patrick L Kurzeja

A direct torque flow constant velocity joint collet connector includes an outer joint part having outer ball tracks, an inner joint part having inner ball tracks, a cage and a plurality of balls. The inner joint part is articulately secured in a rotationally fast way to the outer joint part with the plurality of balls held in the cage. The inner joint part includes a front portion, an inner bore, a collet extension and at least one slot. The collet extension extends from the inner ball tracks to the front portion of the inner joint part. The slot extends into the collet extension from the front portion between an outer surface and the inner bore of the inner joint part, wherein the collet extension of the inner joint part is compressible for selective attachment to a journal shaft of a supplied drive unit.

Direct torque flow constant velocity joint having collet connection

A sleeve assembly includes a sleeve having an inner surface with a first splined portion, and a biasing system biasing a rolling member through the first splined portion. A drive assembly includes the sleeve assembly and a shaft with a second splined portion engageable with the first splined portion of the shaft. When the sleeve assembly is coupled with the shaft to form the drive assembly, the biasing system biases the rolling member into engagement with the second splined portion of the shaft.

Drive assembly and sleeve assembly therefor

A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection interface includes a drive unit, a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector and a sealant. The drive unit includes a shaft having a second interface surface. The direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes a unitary inner joint part having a first interface surface, where the first interface surface is connected to the second interface surface of the drive unit. The sealant provides filling between the first and second interface surfaces. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector having sealant on an interface portion of an inner joint part and a method thereof.

Protected connection interface for direct torque flow constant velocity joint and method thereof

A wheel end for use in a vehicle wherein the wheel end includes a side shaft wherein the side shaft having an appendage on one end thereof. The side shaft having a cylindrical cavity at a center point of the appendage. The wheel end unit also includes a spindle arranged around the appendage. A knuckle is arranged around a portion of the spindle and a portion of the side shaft. The wheel end also includes a fastener secured between the spindle and the appendage to ensure a robust connection between the spindle and the appendage.

Wheel end system

A linkshaft support bearing bracket system for use in an automotive vehicle having an engine and a transaxle with a linkshaft. The linkshaft support bearing bracket system includes a spherical bearing wherein that bearing has an orifice through a center point thereof. The linkshaft is arranged within that orifice. The linkshaft support system also includes a first bearing retainer and a second bearing retainer adjacent to one another. The spherical bearing is arranged within the first bearing retainer and the second bearing retainer. A support bracket is attached to the automotive engine. The first bearing retainer and the second bearing retainer are secured to the support bracket. The first and second bearing retainer will allow for multiple axes of movement of the spherical bearing relative to the link shaft and the transaxle.

Self aligning linkshaft support bearing bracket

A quick disconnect constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, having a hollow pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members, an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, and a plurality of roller balls received in apertures provided in the inner joint member. The roller balls engage grooves provided in the outer member. A resiliently biased plunger disposed in the hollow inner joint member has an inclined surface which engages the roller balls and displaces them radially into the grooves provided in the outer joint member. A manually displaceable plunger actuator provides for the manual displacement of the plunger disengaging the roller balls from the inclined surface and permitting the roller balls to move inwardly in a radial direction, and the separation of the inner joint member from the outer joint member.

Quick disconnect constant velocity universal joint

A quick disconnect constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, such quick disconnect univeral joint including a pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members and an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, with a plurality of roller balls received in apertures in the inner joint member, and having the roller balls engaged in grooves in the outer joint member, with a spherical portion of at least one of each of the roller balls being in contact with a spherical portion of at least one of the other roller balls in a manner whereby the roller balls provide mutual support for each other inwardly of the inner joint member towards the center of the joint. An externally actuated plunger allows the roller balls to be displaced which permits the inner joint member to be separated from the outer joint member.

A propeller drive system for marine applications having a constant velocity universal joint for articulating the propeller shaft without transmitting the propeller thrust therethrough, the propeller thrust being delivered to the boat hull in line with an inner propeller shaft. The inner propeller shaft is gearingly connected to a marine power plant located within the boat, exits from the boat and connects to the inner race of the constant velocity universal joint. An outer propeller shaft connects to the outer race of the constant velocity universal joint and ends at the propeller. In order that the constant velocity universal joint serve to transmit rotational torque and permit articulation of the outer propeller shaft relative to the inner propeller shaft without propeller thrust being transmitted therethrough, thrust from the propeller is directed by thrust bearings to an inner and outer thrust housing, thereby bypassing the inner race member of the constant velocity universal joint and the inner propeller shaft. The inner thrust housing includes an annulus inside of which is located the inner propeller shaft, resulting in propeller thrust being delivered to the boat in line with the inner propeller shaft. Steering is accomplished by rotation of a steering shaft, which turns the outer thrust housing and the outer propeller shaft. The marine propeller drive system may be mounted at the transom or at the hull.

Marine propeller drive system

A constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, including an outer race member with an axial annular recess therethrough, the annular recess in the outer race member being enlarged at one end to accommodate an inner race member that has a bulbous end with a plurality of radially aligned circumferentially spaced bores positioned in the bulbous end. The inner race member also has an axially positioned bore in the bulbous end. A pin is positioned in the bore within the bulbous end and a plurality of spherical balls are positioned in the bores so that each spherical ball rests against the outer surface of the pin. The inner race member and the spherical balls telescope into the outer race member and are restrained from axial separation by a restraining ring seated in the outer race member.

Constant velocity universal joint for transmitting a torque at various

A constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, such universal joint including a pintle-type inner joint member fixed to one of the rotative members and an outer member fixed to the other of the rotative members, with a plurality of roller balls received in apertures in the inner joint member, and having the roller balls engaged in grooves in the outer joint member, with a spherical portion of at least one of each of the roller balls being in contact with a spherical portion of at least one of the other roller balls in a manner whereby the roller balls provide mutual support for each other inwardly of the inner joint member towards the center of the joint. A quick disconnect version of the invention is also shown.

Constant velocity universal joint and apparatus embodying the same

A self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover for interconnecting an irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body and a shaft mounted spider assembly, as well as a closed tripod constant velocity joint incorporating the self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover, the tulip body, and the shaft mounted spider assembly. The self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover is provided with a first flange engageable with the outer surface of the irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body and a second flange engageable with a boot, the second flange being generally concentric with the first flange but having a substantially smaller maximum diameter. An inwardly oriented flange extends from the self-aligning tulip cover between the first and second flanges, the inwardly oriented flange being engageable with a flat front surface of the irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body to form a seal therebetween. The first flange is crimped for interconnection with the irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body.

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Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Steven C Hahn