Self-aligning cutter hub

Abstract

A self-aligning pelletizer cutter hub having a self-aligning driving connection between the cutter hub and drive shaft for the hub in which the cutter hub is capable of universal pivotal movement as well as a driving connection between the drive shaft and cutter hub. The self-aligning hub includes an adapter mounted on the end of a drive shaft with the adapter having a partial spherical outer surface that matches a partial spherical inner surface or bore in the cutter hub. The adapter includes diametrically located recesses for receiving spherical balls which are also received in recesses in the inner surface of the cutter hub to transmit driving force from the adapter to the cutter hub. The inner surface of the cutter hub also includes longitudinal recesses extending to one edge thereof and associated with the ball recesses to enable assembly of the balls and the partially spherical surface of the adapter into the hub bore when the adapter is arranged in 90.degree. relation to the surface of the cutter hub with the adapter and balls being inserted into the bore and recesses and then rotated 90.degree. to be parallel to the surfaces of the hub. This locks the adapter in the inner surface of the bore in the cutter hub to maintain the components in assembled relation but yet enable the cutter hub to move universally within the limits defined by the matching partial spherical surfaces with the spherical balls transmitting rotational torque to the hub from the adapter which is rigidly affixed to the drive shaft.