Lord Corporation

Timothy J Kubat

Stefan Barbulescu

Scott R Lefferts

Scott K Thompson

Kyle R Zimmerman

Nicholas C McEldowney

In a multi-stage torsional coupling and associated methods of providing variable stiffness, the coupling has an inner member connected to a first torsional connection, a sprocket plate connected to the inner member, one or more plates connected to a second torsional connection, an outer member rigidly attached to the one or more plates, and a plurality of damping stages arranged for sequential engagement by movement of the sprocket plate relative to the one or more plates to provide a variable stiffness over a angle of angular displacement for the multi-stage torsional coupling. The sprocket plate is rotatable relative to the one or more plates to sequentially engage the plurality of damping stages to provide stiffness between the first and second torsional connections that increases in a non-linear, or stepped, manner as the amplitude of the angular displacement of the sprocket plate relative to the one or more plates increases.

Multiple stage torsional coupling with centering bearing and coil spring snubbing

Torque is applied to an inner member of a torsional coupling. The first stage (low torque) has a bonded part in series with a set of compression style coil springs. The torsional stiffness of the bonded part is approximately 25% of the resulting torsional stiffness provided by the coil springs. In the second stage (high torque), tangs on the inner member engage with a sprocket plate, transferring torque to the coil springs. The coil springs are held in place by a unique geometry on the sprocket plate and spring holders, which prevent metal-to-metal contact between the coil springs and upper and lower housing portions of the torsional coupling. Surface effect damping occurs at very high torques when the rubber molded around the tangs on the inner member rub on bumps formed on the lower housing portion. A thrust bearing reacts axial forces and eliminates metal-to-metal contact.

Dual rate torsional coupling

A vehicle suspension system for large vehicles includes at least one elastomeric bearing. The bearing includes at least one substantially cylindrical elastomeric portion, at least one substantially frustospherical elastomeric portion, and at least one non-extensible shim disposed between and bonded to the substantially cylindrical elastomeric portion and the substantially frustospherical elastomeric portion.

Vehicle with elastomeric bearing suspension system and elastomeric bearing therefor

Center-bonded mounts for resiliently connecting a supported structure to a support structure are assembled from members that are adapted to disproportionately affect the axial and radial stiffness of the mount. Each of the members includes a shoulder portion for engaging an opposite side surface of the support structure and a neck portion that extends within a socket formed through the support structure. The shoulder portion of one member disproportionately affects the downward axial stiffness of the mount, and the neck portion of the other member disproportionately affects the radial stiffness of the mount. A mount stiffness characteristic of the individual members can be varied, and the varied members can be interchangeably combined to provide both a greater selection and a greater range of axial and radial stiffness characteristics for a given part count.

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Erie, PA, United States of America

Timothy J Kubat