Apparatus and method for installing a noise reduction structure within a vehicle driveshaft tube
US6023830A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49874
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for installing a noise reduction structure within a vehicle driveshaft tube includes the initial step of disposing a reducing sleeve adjacent to a first end of the driveshaft tube. The reducing sleeve may define an inner surface that is tapered from a first diameter, which is slightly larger than the uncompressed outer diameter of the noise reduction structure, to a second diameter, which is approximately equal to the diameter of the first end of the driveshaft tube. Alternatively, the reducing sleeve may define an inner surface that is tapered from a first diameter and then rounded to a second diameter. A source of vacuum is disposed adjacent to a second end of the driveshaft tube, opposite the first end. The source of vacuum may be an accumulator tank and compressor assembly or a venturi arrangement. In any event, the noise reduction structure is disposed within the reducing sleeve and a vacuum is generated such that the vacuum draws the noise reduction structure into the driveshaft tube. To control the position of the noise reduction structure within the driveshaft tube, a limit switch can be positioned at a desired location within the driveshaft tube. When the leading …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.