The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 11, 2005
Filed:
Jan. 14, 2003
Thomas Ray Calkins, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Ohlan Silpachai, Ventura, CA (US);
Robert J. Dial, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Kevin Gehris, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Michael G. Shinn, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Thomas Ray Calkins, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Ohlan Silpachai, Ventura, CA (US);
Robert J. Dial, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Kevin Gehris, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Michael G. Shinn, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Vetronix Corporation, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for balancing vehicle driveshafts. One embodiment of a method according to the present invention comprises analyzing a driveshaft and determining a balancing vector to counter any imbalance in the driveshaft. A determination is then made of the appropriate location on the driveshaft for mounting a weight to counter said imbalance and the weight is mounted to the driveshaft. An apparatus for balancing a driveshaft according to the present invention comprises one or more primary balancing weights capable of being mounted to pinion flange holes in a vehicle driveshaft. One or more secondary balancing weights are also included, each of which is capable of being mounted to, or held by, one of the primary weights. The primary weights and secondary weights are mounted to the pinion flange to provide a weight to counter any imbalance in the driveshaft. Another apparatus for balancing a driveshaft according to the present invention, comprises a clamp that is capable of being mounted to a driveshaft. One or more balancing weights are included, each of which is capable of being mounted to the clamp. The weight of the clamp and the balancing weights combine to provide a weight to counter an imbalance in the driveshaft when mounted to the driveshaft.