Joint assembly with centering flange

Abstract

A joint assembly for coupling first and second rotating parts, including a first joint member for mounting to the first rotating part, a second joint member including a centering flange having a first length disposed about an axis for mounting to the second rotating part, and at least one torque-transmitting element disposed between the first and second joint members for operatively coupling the first and second joint members. The centering flange has a contact section configured for being in a substantially interference fit with the second rotating part when mounting the centering flange to the second rotating part. The contact section has a second length substantially smaller than the first length of the centering flange such that the substantially interference fit between the centering flange and the second rotating part provides alignment between the centering flange and the second rotating part while minimizing forces necessary to mount the centering flange to the second rotating part.

1 . A joint assembly for coupling first and second rotating parts, comprising:
 at least a portion of said first rotating part;   said first rotating part portion including a centering flange having a first length disposed about an axis for mounting to the second rotating part,   said centering flange having a non-contact section and an axially coextending contact section extending radially outward from said non-contact section, said contact section configured for being in a substantially interference fit with the second rotating part when mounting said centering flange to the second rotating part wherein said contact section has a second length substantially smaller than said first length of said centering flange, the mounting of said center flange to the second rotating part thereby being substantially devoid of binding engagement therebetween;   alignment between said centering flange and the second rotating part provided by the substantially interference fit between said contact section and the second rotating part.   
     
     
         2 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A joint assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said contact section has a radially outer surface that engages with the second rotating part and defined as a curved surface. 
     
     
         8 . A joint assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said contact section has a radially outer surface that engages with the second rotating part and defined as a plurality of joined frustoconical surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . A joint assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said contact section has a radially outer surface that engages with the second rotating part and defined as a semi-elliptical surface. 
     
     
         10 . A joint assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said contact section has a radially outer surface that engages with the second rotating part and defined as a parabolic surface. 
     
     
         11 . A joint assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said contact section has a radially outer surface that engages with the second rotating part and defined as a plurality of frustoconical surfaces joined by a cylindrical surface in relation to said axis. 
     
     
         12 . A joint assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said contact section has a radially outer surface includes a protrusion extending radially outwardly relative to said axis and that engages with the second rotating part. 
     
     
         13 . A joint assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said contact section has a radially outer surface that engages with the second rotating part and defined as a plurality of frustoconical surfaces joined by a curved surface. 
     
     
         14 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A joint assembly for coupling first and second rotating parts, comprising:
 a portion of said first rotating part including a first axis and a centering flange disposed about said first axis, said centering flange having a first length, said first length extending along the direction of said first axis;   a portion of said second rotating part including a second axis and an inner surface disposed about and extending along the direction of said second axis, said inner surface defining a void in which said centering flange is received;   said centering flange having a contact section extending radially outward relative to said first axis, said contact section having a second length, said second length extending along the direction of said first axis, said second length substantially smaller than said first length;   said joint assembly having a first state in which said centering flange and said inner surface are engaged and said first and second axes are misaligned;   said joint assembly having a second state in which said contact section and said inner surface have an substantially interference fit and said first and second axes are substantially aligned;   a transition between said first and second states substantially devoid of binding between said first and second rotating parts.   
     
     
         21 . The joint assembly of  claim 20 , in which the alignment between said first and second axes is through said substantially interference fit between said contact section and said inner surface. 
     
     
         22 . The joint assembly of  claim 20 , wherein, in said first state, said contact section and said inner surface are engaged. 
     
     
         23 . A joint assembly through which first and second rotating parts are connected for the transmission of rotational energy therebetween, comprising:
 said first rotating part including a centering flange disposed about a first axis, said centering flange having a first length extending in the direction of said first axis;   said centering flange including a non-contact section disposed about said first axis at a first radial distance from said first axis, and a contact section disposed about said first axis between said first radial distance and a second radial distance from said first axis, said second radial distance greater than said first radial distance, said contact section having a second length extending in the direction of said first axis, said second length substantially smaller than said first length;   said second rotating part including an inner surface disposed about a second axis, said inner surface radially distanced from said second axis by a distance no less than said first radial distance, and no greater than said second radial distance;   said centering flange disposed within said second rotating part between opposed sides of said inner surface, said first and second axes maintained substantially aligned through a substantially interference fit between said contact section and said inner surface.   
     
     
         24 . The joint assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said first length defines axially opposite ends of said centering flange, and said contact section is axially spaced from each said centering flange end. 
     
     
         25 . The joint assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said substantially interference fit is axially localized within said second length. 
     
     
         26 . The joint assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said inner surface defines a void in said second rotating part in which said centering flange is received, and with said centering flange at least partially received in said void during mounting of said first rotating part to said second rotating part, said non-contact section remains out of engagement with said inner surface. 
     
     
         27 . The joint assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said wherein said inner surface defines a void in said second rotating part in which said centering flange is received, and with said centering flange at least partially received in said void during mounting of said first rotating part to said second rotating part, said non-contact section remains out of engagement with said second rotating part. 
     
     
         28 . The joint assembly of  claim 23 , wherein only an axially localized portion of said contact section extends to said second radial distance. 
     
     
         29 . The joint assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said inner surface defines a void in which said centering flange is received;
 said joint assembly having a first state of partial assembly in which said centering flange and said inner surface are engaged and said first and second axes are misaligned;   said joint assembly having a second state of more complete assembly in which said contact section and said inner surface have said substantially interference fit and said first and second axes are substantially aligned; and   the transition between said first and second states is substantially devoid of binding between said first and second rotating parts.   
     
     
         30 . The joint assembly of  claim 29 , wherein in said first state said contact section and said inner surface are engaged. 
     
     
         31 . The joint assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said contact section has an outer surface defined as one of a curved surface, a frustoconical surface, a pair of joined frustoconical surfaces, a semi-elliptical surface, a parabolic surface, a plurality of frustoconical surfaces joined by a cylindrical surface, including a protrusion extending radially outward, and a plurality of frustoconical surfaces joined by a curved surface.