Hub-shaft assembly

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a hub and shaft assembly. The assembly includes a shaft having an outer surface, a hub having an inner surface configured to engage the outer surface of the shaft, and a first fastening device positioned within a first opening formed in the engaged outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the hub along lengths of the shaft and the hub. A method of securing a hub to a shaft is further disclosed.

1 . An assembly comprising:
 a shaft including an outer surface;   a hub including an inner surface configured to engage the outer surface of the shaft; and   a first fastening device positioned within a first opening formed in the engaged outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the hub along lengths of the shaft and the hub.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft further includes an enlarged shaft portion having the outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hub includes a helical gear. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the helical gear is pressed-on with a light interference fit onto the enlarged shaft portion of the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein ends of the enlarged shaft portion and ends of the hub are turned/dressed concurrently to present a common flat plane/surface on each side. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a second fastening device positioned within a second opening formed in the engaged outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the hub along lengths of the shaft and the hub. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first fastening device and the second fastening device include bolts having diameters selected for a desired transmitted torque capacity based on their material strength and the strength of the shaft and hub. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first fastening device and the second fastening device include dowel pins having diameters selected for a desired transmitted torque capacity based on their material strength and the strength of the shaft and the hub. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the dowel pins and the hub are retained against axial movement with an overlapping washer and a retaining ring. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a depth of the openings is greater than a length of the hub and the dowel pins are installed so that their ends are visible at an end of the hub. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second openings are formed in the shaft and the hub so that the dowel pins slant to prevent any axial movement of the hub on the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is formed by a semi-cylindrical formation formed in the outer surface of the shaft and a mating semi-cylindrical formation formed in the inner surface of the hub. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a step and the hub includes a shoulder in contact with the step. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second hub having an inner surface configured to engage the outer surface of the shaft, and a second fastening device positioned within a second opening formed in the engaged outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the second hub along lengths of the shaft and the second hub. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a lip on one end of the hub, the lip being configured to be seated against a square end of the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . A method of securing a hub to a shaft, the method comprising:
 positioning a hub having an inner surface to a shaft having an outer surface;   forming an opening at an interface of the inner surface of the hub and the outer surface of the shaft; and   inserting a fastening device in the opening.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is machined through the interface of the inner surface of the hub and the outer surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the opening extends in a direction parallel to an axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the opening extends in a direction at an acute angle to an axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fastening device includes a key.