DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A drive shaft comprising an elongated inner drive shaft having an end connected to a drive device and an opposite end engaged with a work piece. A hollow outer shaft extends circumferentially about and coaxially with the drive shaft in a spaced-apart relationship thereto, and is connected to the drive shaft. A bearing carrier member extends circumferentially about and coaxially with the outer shaft. First and second springs inhibit movement of the outer shaft and the bearing carrier member respectively. A bearing is located intermediate the bearing carrier member and outer shaft. The assembly further includes a support structure provided with a bore which circumferentially surrounds the bearing carrier member and second springs. An outer surface of the bearing carrier member and an inner surface of the bore cooperatively form a fluid passageway which is bounded on either side by barriers which form restricted fluid flow paths. A pressurized flow of a fluid to the passageway and across each barrier forms a squeeze film damper to resist lateral movement of the bearing carrier member.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1MATTHEW C. EK