Universal cardan joint with elastomeric bearings

Abstract

Universal cardan joint with elastomeric bearings in which the elastomeric bearings are preloaded in compression and comprise laminated segments with reduced resistance to shear deformation or comprise rubber cords providing for reduced torsional stiffness.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A universal cardan joint with elastomeric bearings for connecting a pair of mechanical components, comprising: 
 first and second yokes, each drivingly connected to one of said mechanical components, each yoke having two coaxial bores;    an intermediate member adapted to be disposed in driving connection with said first and second yokes, said intermediate member having four legs which extend outwardly from a central body with the legs being displaced by 90 degrees from each other, each leg having a central axis, with all of the axes lying in a common plane, and the free end of each leg being trunnion-shaped;    bearing sleeves disposed within each bore, each bearing sleeve being adapted to receive one of the trunnion-shaped ends of the extending legs of the intermediate member so as to join the two yokes through the intermediate member;    each bearing sleeve comprising at least one layer of an elastomeric material and metal layers disposed alternatingly and coaxially, with the outermost and innermost layers being metal layers, and the wall thickness of each of said bearing-sleeves in its unloaded condition, before assembly into an annular space between the internal surface of one of said bores and the external surface of one of said trunnions, being greater than the radial dimension of said annular space available for insertion of said bearing sleeve, such that said bearing sleeves are under compression loading after assembly.    
   
   
       16 . The universal cardan joint of  claim 15 , wherein said elastomeric layers within said elastomeric bearing sleeves are thin solid layers of an elastomeric material bonded to said intermediate metal layers.  
   
   
       17 . The universal cardan joint of  claim 15 , wherein said elastomeric layers of said elastomeric bearing sleeves comprise multiple cylindrical cords made from an elastomeric material and attached to said intermediate metal layers.  
   
   
       18 . The universal cardan joint of  claim 15 , wherein said elastomeric layers of said elastomeric bearing sleeves comprise multiple cylindrical cords made from an elastometic material immersed into soft elastomeric matrix.  
   
   
       19 . The universal cardan joint of  claim 15 , wherein each said elastomeric bearing sleeve comprises separate segments distributed around the sleeve circumference.  
   
   
       20 . The universal cardan joint of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the innermost and outermost sleeve-like metal layers of said elastomeric bearing sleeve is split along its length.  
   
   
       21 . The universal cardan joint of  claim 15 , wherein axial displacements between said trunnions and said bores are restrained by elastomeric thrust bearings comprising alternating elastomeric layers and metal layers.  
   
   
       22 . The universal cardan joint of  claim 15 , further comprising a metal sleeve disposed between each bearing sleeve and internal surface of each bore, said metal sleeve having disassembly protrusions on its internal surface at its end closest to the central body of the intermediate member so that withdrawal of said metal sleeve from the bore wherein it is disposed results in extraction of said elastomeric bearing sleeve from the joint assembly.