GB1430863A - Couplings rotatable assembly including two vaned wheels mounted on a - Google Patents

Abstract

1430863 Shaft couplings DUNLOP Ltd 14 March 1974 [6 April 1973] 16504/73 Heading F2U A resilient torque transmission coupling comprises an outer rigid member 11 formed with a bore in which is a rigid inner member 10, at least one intermediate rigid sleeve member 12 being in the annular space between the inner and outer members and elements 13a, 13b of elastomeric material are positioned between each successive pair of rigid members, at least some of the elastomeric material being in axially spaced regions separated by a distance at least twice the maximum spacing of the elastomeric material from the coupling axis. As shown, the inner and outer members are cylindrical and connected to a coupling member 14, and one intermediate member 12 is provided connected to a coupling member 15, three annular rings of elastomeric material (natural rubber as described) 13a being in compression between members 10 and 12, and three rings 13b of natural rubber being in compression between members 11 and 12. In an alternative embodiment two intermediate sleeves are provided, there being a further member radially outside the member 11 shown and connected to a coupling member equivalent to member 15 (Fig. 2, not shown). Axial movement of the coupling members 14, 15 towards one another is resisted by an annular ring 17 of resilient material, which may be on an intermediate sleeve rather than on the coupling member 14 as shown. The coupling is assembled by bonding the elastomeric material to the inner of the two members which it is to be between and sliding the outer member over it (and simultaneously compressing the elastomeric material). The assembly may be facilitated by the use of lubricant. The coupling is for inclusion in a drive-shaft of a vehicle and may be assembled in series with a coupling 30 as shown in Fig. 4 in which rubber elements 36 in pairs with a metal plate 37 are positioned between radially extending arms 33 of an inner ring 32 and cheeks 35 of an outer ring 34. This coupling 30 accommodates angular misalignment of the axes of rings 32 and 34 and is radially stiff, unlike the coupling of Fig. 1. The cheeks 35 may have means to prevent any radial movement of the rubber elements (Fig. 5, not shown). The elastomeric elements 13a and 13b need not all be of the same material, and some may have greater resiliency than the others. The assembly of the coupling of Fig. 1 may comprise contraction of an outer, or expansion of an inner, member to effect compression of the elastomeric material.