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Flexible shaft assembly includes a central flexible shaft having its ends permanently affixed within axial bores provided in a pair of end fittings. The end fittings are also provided with a plurality of outer bores disposed symmetrically around the axial bores for receiving the ends of a plurality

Flexible shaft assembly includes a central flexible shaft having its ends permanently affixed within axial bores provided in a pair of end fittings. The end fittings are also provided with a plurality of outer bores disposed symmetrically around the axial bores for receiving the ends of a plurality of outer flexible shafts. At least one end of an end fitting\s outer bores receives the ends of one end of the outer flexible shafts in free-floating relationship enabling the assembly to maintain substantial symmetrical disposition of the shafts even when rotating in a tight radius of curvature while transmitting high torques. Bearing supports however may be required to maintain the rotating flexible shafts along a predetermined tight path. By selecting shafts of proper lay, i.e., right-lay and left-lay, the entire assembly may be substantially torsionally balanced.

대표청구항 ▼

An assembly of flexible shafts including a central flexible shaft and outer flexible shafts rotating in a tight radius of curvature while transmitting high torques comprising: a pair of end fittings each of which receives one end of each of said flexible shafts, each of said end fittings having an a

An assembly of flexible shafts including a central flexible shaft and outer flexible shafts rotating in a tight radius of curvature while transmitting high torques comprising: a pair of end fittings each of which receives one end of each of said flexible shafts, each of said end fittings having an axial bore therethrough and a plurality of outer bores disposed symmetrically around said axial bore, said central flexible shaft having each end thereof affixed within one of said axial bores, said outer flexible shafts having their ends received within said outer bores to provide substantially symmetrical disposition of said outer flexible shafts about said central flexible shaft along entire length thereof, and means for rotating said assembly in said tight radius wherein said outer flexible shafts free float in at least one of said end fittings while rotating to thereby maintain said substantially symmetrical disposition of said shafts.