Variable length drive shaft

Details Variable length drive shaft Variable length drive shaft

2000-03-23

2001-09-11

Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)

Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro

Coupling facilitates relative axial motion between coupled...

Including spring to bias member in axial direction

C464S180000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06287208

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an improved lightweight axially retractable drive shaft for driving the rolls of a rolling mill.
In the past axially retractable drive shafts for use with rolling mills utilized coil springs which applied a continuous outward axial thrust while providing the capability of inward compressive axial movement. In these drive shaft arrangements, the springs have a tendency to vibrate and generate excessive noise. The vibrations have a tendency to create unwanted stress and untimely breakdowns.
It is a primary object of the instant invention to overcome these drawbacks by providing a drive shaft which is lightweight and durable.
Another object of the invention is to provide an axially movable drive shaft which operates under continuous outward pressure.
Another object of the invention is an axially movable drive shaft which utilizes lightweight disk springs.
Another object of the invention is a lightweight drive shaft capable of delivering axially aligned outward pressure.
Another object of the invention in a drive shaft which resist the tendency to vibrate during use.
Another object of the invention is a drive shaft in which the tangent load capacity is easily adjustable.
Another object of the invention is a drive shaft capable of continuously transmitting torque, adjusting its axial length and adjusting its axial thrust and alignment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is directed to a variable length drive shaft for driving a rolling mill roll which weighs approximately 109 kg. The drive shaft is formed with a first end connected with a drive unit and a second end connected with a driven member. The drive shaft includes a pair of splined shafts interengaged for relative axial movement of at least 310 mm. The splined shafts are engaged in a fixed rotational relationship.
The drive shaft comprises a drive end connecting with a drive member which delivers rotational motion and a driven end connecting with and rotably driving a driving member. The drive end includes a first connecting member joined with an end of a first splined shaft having an axial bore coincided with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The driven end includes a second connecting member joined with a second splined shaft. The first and second splined shafts interengage for axial movement while maintaining a fixed rotational relationship.
A reaction tube is fixedly mounted within the axial bore and is mounted for axial movement at its second end within the reaction tube. A rod is secured at a first end within the axial bore and is mounted for axial movement at its second end within the reaction tube. A resilient unit is provided within the drive shaft to exert outward pressure along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft against the drive and driven ends.
A dust sleeve is connected with the driven end and encases a portion of the first and second spline shafts. The dust sleeve is fixed at one end adjacent the first connecting member. The first splined shaft includes a cone shaped bore extending through its end which receives the first end of the rod which is shaped to snugly fit therein. The inner end of the reaction tube includes an end plate provided with a bushing lined opening which is adapted to receive the second end of the rod. A shaped head retains the second end of the rod within the reaction tube.
The resilient unit comprises a plurality of spring disks carried by the rod which provides the outward resilient pressure against the driving and driven ends.
It is preferred that the first splined shaft be a male splined shaft and the second splined shaft be a female splined shaft.
A torque tube is connected with the second splined shaft and the connecting member. The torque tube includes a cavity in which the reaction tube is mounted.
The second connecting member includes an opening axially aligned with the second end of the rod. This opening allows the second end of the rod to move through the connecting member during maximum compression of the drive shaft.
The resilient members, which comprise spring disk, have a load to flatten capability of between 760 and 765 lbf.
A bushing, carried by the rod within the axial bore, acts to maintain the shaft aligned along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The bushing also acts to separate the spring disk into groups. The rod may carry a plurality of bushings.


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