Torsional compensator

Abstract

A parallel, torque additive torsional compensating device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensating device comprises a first gear in driving engagement with the output of the engine, a first Cardan joint assembly in driving engagement with the first gear, an intermediate shaft in driving engagement with the first joint assembly, a second joint assembly in driving engagement with the intermediate shaft, a clutching device in driving engagement with the second joint assembly, a torsional element oriented substantially parallel to the output of the engine in driving engagement with the clutching device, and a second gear in driving engagement with the torsional element and the output of the engine. An angular deviation of the first Cardan joint assembly causes a cyclical acceleration of the torsional element, applying a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine through the second gear and the second engagement portion.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A parallel, torque additive torsional compensating device for drivingly engaging an output shaft of an internal combustion engine, the torsional compensating device comprising:
 a first gear in driving engagement with a first engagement portion of the output of the internal combustion engine;   a first Cardan joint assembly in driving engagement with the first gear;   an intermediate shaft in driving engagement with the first joint assembly;   a second joint assembly in driving engagement with the intermediate shaft;   a clutching device in driving engagement with the second joint assembly;   a torsional element in driving engagement with the clutching device, the torsional element oriented substantially parallel to the output of the internal combustion engine; and   a second gear in driving engagement with the torsional element and a second engagement portion of the output of the internal combustion engine, wherein an angular deviation of the first Cardan joint assembly causes a cyclical acceleration of the torsional element, the cyclical acceleration of the torsional element applying a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine through the second gear and the second engagement portion.   
     
     
         19 . The torsional compensating device of  claim 18 , wherein the second joint assembly is a second Cardan joint assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The torsional compensating device of  claim 18 , further comprising a third joint assembly, the third joint in driving engagement with the first Cardan joint assembly through the first intermediate shaft and the second joint assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The torsional compensating device of  claim 20 , further comprising a second intermediate shaft in driving engagement with the second joint assembly and the third joint assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The torsional compensating device of  claim 20 , further comprising a joint actuator, the joint actuator positioning the third joint assembly to adjust an angular deviation between the first joint assembly and the third joint assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The torsional compensating device of  claim 21 , wherein the first intermediate shaft and the second intermediate shaft are telescoping shafts. 
     
     
         24 . The torsional compensating device of  claim 18 , wherein the torsional element is one of a torsion bar and a torsion spring. 
     
     
         25 . The torsional compensating device of  claim 18 , wherein the clutching device is a clutching device which may be variably engaged.