Dana Corporation

Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Other

Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC

Thomas J Keller

James A Duggan

Erin D Hennon

Edward N Campbell

Steven L Fletcher

A method of manufacturing a splined member avoids the generation of waste material and minimizes the amount of dimensional inaccuracies. A hollow cylindrical workpiece is initially provided from a material having a relatively high elongation characteristic. The material used to form the workpiece may be AA-5154 grade aluminum alloy having an elongation characteristic that is in the range of from about 20% to about 30%, preferably in the range of from about 22% to about 28%, and most preferably about 25%. A mandrel having a plurality of external splines is inserted within workpiece, and the workpiece is deformed into engagement with the mandrel to form a splined member using a swaging process, such a rotary swaging or feed swaging. The splined member is thus formed having a plurality of internal splines and a cylindrical outer surface. The use of the swaging process avoids the generation of waste material. Also, dimensional accuracy is improved because the splined member is shaped in accordance with the precisely formed mandrel, which eliminates dimensional variations that can result from known machining practices.

Method of manufacturing a splined member for use in a driveshaft assembly

A driveshaft assembly includes a yoke including a body portion, a pair of opposed yoke arms that extends generally in a first axial direction from the body portion, and a neck portion that extends generally in a second axial direction from the body portion. A driveshaft tube is secured to the neck portion of the yoke, such as by magnetic pulse welding. A ring is secured to the body portion of the yoke, such as by press fitting, and a balance weight is secured to the ring, such as by welding.

Driveshaft assembly and method of manufacturing same

A method for re-shaping portions of a coating applied to the surface of a component using a tool including a collet having a plurality of flexible arms with a wheel rotatably supported on each of the flexable arms, a nut and a sleeve. The tool is initially installed by disposing the collet caxially about the component. Then, the sleeve is disposed co-axially about the collet. Next, the nut is threaded onto a threaded first end of the collet. As the nut is threaded onto the collet, it engages and moves the sleeve axially toward the arms of the collet thereby causing the arms to be compressed radially inwardly such that outer circumferential surfaces of the wheels engage and re-shape the coating on the outer surface of the component. The tool, as a whole, can then be moved axially back and forth along the surface of the component to re-shape the entire length of the coating thereon.

Method for adjusting the shape of a low friction coating on a splined slip joint member

A chimney vacuum system having an adapter head for fluidly removing accumulated soot under vacuum pressure from a flue or chimney. The chimney vacuum system includes a hose adapted to the head via a frictional fit. The adapter head of the chimney system has a body portion which narrows in volume from an outer diameter to an inner diameter. Extending from the inner diameter is a neck portion for attaching an effluent hose and refuse container downstream. The body of the adapter head includes a sealing gasket defined therein for providing a mechanical and fluid seal with a flue mechanism element in the flow path of the flue.

Chimney vacuum system

A method for applying a low friction coating to the cooperating splines of a slip joint that results in precise conformance between the intermeshing splines of the telescoping members includes the initial steps of cleaning, priming, and coating the splines of a tube shaft with a low friction material. Then, the coating on the splines is shaped to precisely conform to internal splines provided on a slip yoke of the slip joint. To accomplish this, an annular die is provided having a generally hollow and cylindrical shape, but tapering from a relatively large diameter upper end to a relatively small lower end. Thus, an inner frusto-conical surface is defined through the center of the die. A plurality of tapered splines is formed on the inner frusto-conical surface of the die that are generally shaped in a complementary fashion to the splines formed on the tube shaft. The die may be provided with a device for heating the die to a desired temperature. The splined end of the tube shaft is then lowered into the die such that the internal splines of the die engage the external splines of the tube shaft. Because the die is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the low friction material coating, the coating on the splines melts and conforms to the profile of the splines of the die. The movement of the tube shaft is continued such that the splines pass completely through the die and are then received in splined end of the slip yoke, which is also aligned with the tube shaft and the die. The tube shaft is then allowed to remain in the slip yoke for a period of time sufficient to allow the coating on the splines to cool and harden in precise conformance with the splines of the slip yoke. Lastly, the tube shaft is retracted from the slip yoke and the die. Alternatively, the die may be raised over the tube shaft, leaving the tube shaft inserted within the slip yoke for shipment and installation.

Method for applying a low friction coating on a splinned slip joint

A bearing liner comprises an elongated resilient non-metallic unitary structure having a plurality of generally planar sides for placement between a steering sleeve and correspondingly planar-sided steering shaft. The liner is adapted to receive the steering shaft, and in a preferred form comprises four sides having a square cross-section. Each juxtaposed side is joined together by a flexible web which has a cross-section substantially thinner than the average cross-sections of the sides. Each of the sides includes two arcuate, axially extending integral spring channels which define its edges and which are designed to accommodate torsional lost motion between the steering shaft and sleeve members. In a preferred form, the liner is formed of an injection molded composition of nylon having carbon fibers and polytetraflouroethylene, the carbon fiber imparting strength to the composition, the polytetrafluoroethylene supplying lubricity.

Flexible non-metallic bearing liner for telescopic steering column

A 'standpipe' lubrication device for a universal joint assembly. In a preferred form, the lubrication device includes a plurality of annular protuberances on opposed first and second ends. The protuberances, serving as sealing and tolerance absorption media, define adjoining frustoconical and cylindrical surfaces. Each cylindrical surface terminates in a radially extending annular surface, the latter adapted to provide a self-locking feature against dislodgement of the device from a lubrication passage of the trunnion. Also in the same preferred form, the lubrication device is formed of a moldable material characterized by dimensional heat stability, for assuring proper operation at elevated temperatures.

Lubrication device for universal joint assembly

The present invention concerns a unique method and apparatus for machining a bearing cap assembly of the type typically utilized in a universal joint mechanism. The bearing cap assembly includes an open-ended bearing cap having a closed end wall with an outer surface secured to a mounting plate located generally parallel to the end wall and having spaced apart opposite end portions extending outwardly past the bearing cap. The present invention is specifically concerned with machining the end portions of the mounting plate extending outwardly from the bearing cap to produce spaced apart machined surfaces which can be utilized to attach the bearing cap assembly to an associated yoke arm. In the method of the present invention, the open end of the cap is placed on a support pin having a stop surface adapted to engage the inner surface of the end wall of the bearing cap. Next, the support pin having the bearing cap assembly supported thereon is moved in a predetermined direction with the mounting plate located in a plane generally parallel to the direction to travel. As the bearing cap assembly and support pin are moved past a machining device, a force is exerted on the bearing cap in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel to urge the inner surface of the end wall of the cap into positive engagement with the stop surface of the support pin.

Method and apparatus for making bearing cap

The present invention concerns a unique method and apparatus for machining a bearing cap assembly of the type typically utilized in a universal joint mechanism. The bearing cap assembly includes an open-ended bearing cap having a closed end wall with an outer surface secured to a mounting plate located generally parallel to the end wall and having spaced apart opposite end portions extending outwardly past the bearing cap. The present invention is specifically concerned with machining the end portions of the mounting plate extending outwardly from the bearing cap to produce spaced apart machined surfaces which can be utilized to attach the bearing cap assembly to an associated yoke arm. The present invention also concerns a unique bearing cap assembly which is produced by the disclosed method and apparatus.

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Bristol, VA, United States of America

Thomas J Keller