The Mechanics Universal Joint.
Page 13
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WE regret that an error occurred in our description of the Mechanics universal joint, marketed by Benjamin Whittaker, Ltd., Aldwych House, Aldwyeh, London, W.C.2, which appeared in our issue for December
11th. • The fourth paragraph might lead designers to believe that the splines of the plunger joint run, dry. Just the reverse is the case, the spline chamber forming a distinctly integral part of the joint which has no connection with the Outer periphery of the ring containing the lubricant for the cardan trunnions ; thus the oiling of the splines is not affected by centrifugal action. , By referring to -the-illustration which we published' a small .screwed plug will be noticed. This leads to the spline
chamber and is the point at Which the lubricant is introduced for the plunger joint. On the joint-ring side this chain. her is entirely closed, and on the shaft side there are two metal spline(' washers and also a splined felt washer ; thus .the lubricant is held securely and dirt-is kept out. It has been ..found in practice that it is unnecessary to utilize ally leather cover or other such attachment on the Mechanics universal joint, and the concessionaire has had no advice that any part of the eardan joint or plunger joint, has operated. in anY other than a most satisfactory manner.
As regards--the housing of each joint, the slip yoke carries two trunnion. bearings,. whereas the opPosite Yoke-, either as 'shown in our illustration or having
a flange, forms a trunnion by having a pin driven right through it. While the joint is being assembled cork 'washers are mounted on the four trunnions thus formed and then the bearings are slipped on. Each of these bearings has a threaded extension on each side. The halves of the casing are applied to these threaded extremities, which form the bolts, the seatings of which are machined to coincide with the machining of the holes on the halve of the casing. The application of the spring Nate and nut then completes the assembly. ...1n this operation the joints are firmly compressed, .as also are the cork washers .on' the periphery. of the ring, this making the whole of the device oil-retaining and duSt proof.