Dana Corporation

Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC

Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Thomas J Marriott

Jeffrey A Dutkiewicz

Daniel C Perry

Kevin Niebel

Christopher B Corpus

Bao T Luong

Steven L Ingalsbe

Martin J Pearson

Norman L Bowser

Leah N Matczak

A shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a joint assembly having a first joint member, a second joint member and one or more third joint members drivingly connecting said first and second joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft is drivingly connected to the second joint member. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of a second end portion of the first shaft is a first and second increased diameter portion having a wall portion that connects the first increased diameter portion to the second increased diameter portion. Drivingly connected to the second increased diameter portion of the first shaft is a second shaft. During a crash condition, an amount of force is applied to the wall portion until it fractures and at least a portion of the first shaft and/or the joint assembly translates into a hollow portion of the second shaft.

Propeller shaft crash collapse assembly

A driveshaft assembly is balanced for rotation during use by initially disposing an annular band about a portion thereof. The band is then secured to the driveshaft assembly, such as by welding, adhesives, frictional engagement, and the like. After the band is secured to the driveshaft assembly, one or more balance weights can be secured to the band, such as by welding, adhesives, and the like, at desired locations to balance the driveshaft assembly for rotation. The band functions as a mounting surface upon which the balance weights can be secured to balance the driveshaft assembly for rotation. Because the balance weights are secured not directly to the driveshaft assembly, but rather are mounted indirectly thereon by the band, the driveshaft assembly is protected from damage that might otherwise result from welding the balance weights directly thereto. The method is particularly useful when a portion of the driveshaft assembly has a relatively small wall thickness or is formed from a material having a relatively low melting temperature.

Driveshaft assembly that is balanced for rotation and method of manufacturing same

A tool for installing and aligning a bearing cap in a universal joint so as to position an end surface of the bearing cap a predetermined distance above the outer surface of the arm of the end yoke is generally cup-shaped, including a generally flat, circular end portion having a hollow cylindrical skirt portion. The skirt portion defines an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bearing cap. The skirt portion also defines an axial length which is equal to the desired predetermined distance. A cut-out may be formed in a portion of the tool to receive a spring tab or other axial retaining structure for the bearing cap. Also, one or more apertures may be formed in the end portion of the tool to receive anti-rotation protrusions formed on the end surface of the bearing cap. The universal joint is assembled by initially disposing the tool over the end surface of the bearing cap such that the inner surface of the end portion abuts the outer end surface of the bearing cap. A press is then used to exert a force against the outer surface of the end portion of the tool, urging it and the bearing cap axially inwardly such that the bearing cap is moved over the end of the trunnion until the open end of the skirt portion of the tool engages the outer surface of the yoke arm. The axial length from the inner surface of the end portion of the tool to the end of the skirt portion is sized to be equal to the desired axial distance by which the end surface of the bearing cap extends beyond the outer surface of the yoke arm. The tool provides a quick and easy method for installing the bearing cap on the trunnion and simultaneously aligning such bearings cap at a predetermined location relative to the outer surface of the yoke arm.

Bearing cap installation and alignment tool for universal joint

A bearing assembly used on cardan universal joint shafts includes a bearing retainer that maintains a plurality of needle bearings at a desired location during shipment. The bearing retainer maintains the bearing assembly on the shaft prior to assembly. The bearing retainer preferably has an inner periphery diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the shaft, and an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the bearing housing. In a method of assembly, the shaft is inserted into the bearing retainer, which locks on the shaft outer periphery at its inner peripheral surface. Clearance is provided at the retainer outer periphery such that it rotates with the shaft within the housing.

Bearing retainer for U-joint shaft end and method of assembling bearing

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Temperance, MI, United States of America

Thomas J Marriott