Rexnord Gmbh

Walter A Fredericks

Edward W McCullough

A flexible coupling in which one or more flex elements are positioned in a spaced apart relationship between two torsional force transfer members. Each of the flex elements are connected to another flex element or a transfer member and maintained at a spaced distance by spacer links positioned along the periphery of the flex elements. Areas of potentially high stress in the flex elements are distributed within the elements by varying the thickness of the flex elements in peripheral directions along the peripheral length of the flex elements and in radial directions relative to the axis of the flex elements.

Torsional stress distribution flexible coupling

A flexible coupling comprising first and second hubs and a center member aligned on a longitudinal axis. At least one spool is also aligned on said axis. There is a plurality of discs forming at least three flexible joints between the hubs, center member and spool, wherein no more than two of the flexible joints permit both axial and angular misalignment, the remainder of the flexible joints including piloting means for eliminating angular misalignment while permitting axial misalignment.

Piloted flexible coupling

The specification discloses six embodiments of a torque transmission coupling employing one or more pilot rings each of which has at least one precision-finished radially symmetric surface to align one or more laminar flexing elements in or on one or more complementary precision-finished radially symmetric surfaces on one or more hubs integral with or adapted to be connected to shafts for the transmission of rotary power. The preferred embodiment comprises a relatively inflexible torque transmission member, a laminar flexing element aligned with the torque transmission member at either end thereof via a pilot ring, and a hub aligned with each of the laminar flexing elements via a further pilot ring on the opposite side of the flexing elements from the first pilot ring, but embodiments are disclosed dispensing with the torque transmission member and with one of the pilot rings on each laminar flexing element.

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Warren, PA, United States of America

Walter A Fredericks