Embodiments include a modular flex plate assembly with a plurality of modular segments connectable with at least another modular segment by joining a first end of one modular segment to a second end of another modular segment to form a ring gear. The ring gear can be mounted to a substrate and mount
Embodiments include a modular flex plate assembly with a plurality of modular segments connectable with at least another modular segment by joining a first end of one modular segment to a second end of another modular segment to form a ring gear. The ring gear can be mounted to a substrate and mounted or fastened to a component of an engine or a transmission system. A plurality of securing devices can cooperatively engage the ring gear to a substrate, such that the gear teeth of the ring gear align with the perimeter edge of the substrate.
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1. A modular flexplate assembly, comprising: a disc-shaped substrate having a center,a first perimeter edge,a first surface, anda second surface opposite to the first surface substantially uniformly parallel to the first surface;a plurality of modular segments, each modular segment having an outer e
1. A modular flexplate assembly, comprising: a disc-shaped substrate having a center,a first perimeter edge,a first surface, anda second surface opposite to the first surface substantially uniformly parallel to the first surface;a plurality of modular segments, each modular segment having an outer edge having an arcuate shape,an inner edge opposite to the outer edge, the inner edge having an arcuate shape,a first end, anda second end, anda plurality of segment teeth disposed on the outer edge of the modular segment,each modular segment connectable with at least another modular segment by joining the first end of one modular segment to the second end of another modular segment to form a ring gear, the circumference of the dedendum circle of said ring gear being substantially the same as the circumference of the first perimeter edge of the disc-shaped substrate; anda plurality of unthreaded cylindrical securing devices adapted to cooperatively engage the ring gear to the first surface of the substrate such that the gear teeth of the ring gear align with the perimeter edge of the substrate. 2. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate is substantially planar. 3. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 2, wherein the substrate is a flywheel of an automotive transmission system. 4. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate is substantially nonplanar, with a first portion of the first surface being recessed from a second portion of the first surface. 5. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate has a plurality of substrate teeth defined on a perimeter of the substrate, the dedendum circle of the substrate teeth substantially aligning with the first perimeter edge, the substrate having a second perimeter edge that aligns with an addendum circle of the substrate teeth wherein, when assembled, each substrate tooth aligns longitudinally along a direction parallel to the flexplate axis with a segment gear tooth. 6. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of substrate securing apertures positioned on the substrate at a first radial distance from the substrate center, and a plurality of segment securing apertures positioned on each modular segment positioned at the first radial distance from a center of the ring gear, such that when the ring gear is assembled to the substrate, at least two or more of the substrate securing apertures align with two or more of the segment securing apertures. 7. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 6, wherein each unthreaded cylindrical securing device is adapted to be inserted into one of the plurality of substrate securing apertures and the segment securing apertures aligned with the substrate securing aperture. 8. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexplate assembly is assembled by cooperative engagement between the unthreaded cylindrical securing device and substrate securing apertures and segment securing apertures. 9. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 8, wherein each unthreaded cylindrical securing device forms an interference fit with the substrate securing aperture and the segment securing aperture through which the pin is inserted when the modular flexplate assembly is assembled. 10. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 1, wherein each modular segment comprises a notch defined on one of the first and second ends and a tab defined on the other of the first and second ends, the notch of one of the plurality of modular segments attachable to the tab of an adjacent modular segment, the notch and the tab adapted to form an interlocking connection there between such that when interlocked, the plurality of the modular segments connect with each other to form the ring gear. 11. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastening apertures defined on the substrate at a second radial distance from the center of the substrate, the fastening apertures adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners for fastening the flexplate assembly to a transmission system. 12. The modular flexplate assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segment teeth are uniformly and equally spaced around the perimeter of each of the modular segments. 13. The modular flex plate assembly of claim 1, further comprising an additional ring gear formed of modular segments coupled to each other, the additional ring gear connectable to the ring gear so that the teeth of the two ring gears align, the additional ring gear oriented such that the connection between ends of the modular segments does not align with such a connection on an adjacent first ring gear. 14. A modular flex plate assembly, comprising: a plurality of modular segments, each modular segment having an outer edge having an arcuate shape,an inner edge opposite to the outer edge, the inner edge having an arcuate shape,a first end,a second end,a first and second surface each adjoining the outer edge and the inner edge, anda plurality of segment teeth disposed on the outer edge of the modular segment,each modular segment connectable with at least another modular segment by joining the first end of one modular segment to the second end of another modular segment to form a ring gear; anda plurality of securing devices adapted to cooperatively engage the ring gear to a substrate, such that the gear teeth of the ring gear align with a perimeter edge of the substrate. 15. A method of assembling a modular flexplate assembly, comprising: providing a modular flexplate assembly, comprising a disc-shaped substrate having a center,a perimeter edge,a first surface, anda second surface opposite to the first surface,a plurality of modular segments, each modular segment having an outer edge having an arcuate shape,an inner edge opposite to the outer edge, the inner edge having an arcuate shape,a first end,a second end, anda plurality of segment teeth disposed on the outer edge of the modular segment, anda plurality of securing devices;connecting each modular segment with at least one adjacent modular segment by joining the first end of one modular segment to the second end of the adjacent modular segment to form a ring gear;attaching each ring gear with the substrate such that the gear teeth of the ring gear align with the perimeter edge of the substrate; andcooperatively engaging the first surface of substrate with the ring gear using the plurality of cylindrical securing devices. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising welding the plurality of securing devices along a substantial length of the cylindrical securing devices to the ring gear and the substrate to form the flexplate assembly. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the substrate, the modular segments, the segment teeth and the securing devices are formed by laser machining. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate is formed by metal spinning process such that the substrate is substantially non-planar, with a first portion of the first surface being recessed from a second portion of the first surface. 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a plurality of fastening apertures on the substrate,mounting the modular flexplate assembly to a transmission system or a vehicle engine, andfastening the modular flexplate assembly to at least one of a transmission system or a vehicle engine using a plurality of fasteners inserted into the fastening apertures of the substrate.
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Kiser ; Jr. ; Cecil M., Composite sprocket or the like.
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