Tapered adapter for a rotatable assembly and methods of making and using same.

Abstract

A kit (30) for a rotatable assembly drive train includes a tapered bushing (32), a tapered adapter (34), and a bushing lock (36). The tapered bushing has a flange (32-1), a sleeve portion (32-2), a central opening (32C), a keyway (32-3) disposed along the central opening, at least one flange fastening hole (32-1F), and an outwardly tapered mating surface (32M). The tapered adapter includes a hub body (34-1) having an end face portion (34-1E), an internal cavity portion (34-2), a threaded shaft (34-3), at least one hub fastening hole (34-4B) extending substantially axially through the hub body, and an inwardly tapered mating surface (34M). The hub fastening hole of the tapered adapter and the flange fastening hole of the tapered bushing are configured to align. The bushing lock includes an axially extending central bushing lock opening (36-1), a keyway (36-3) disposed along the central bushing lock opening, and a substantially radially extending fastening hole (36-2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotatable assembly, an adapter kit for use with the rotatable assembly, a taper adapter for use with the adapter kit and / or the rotatable assembly, and to methods of making and using the taper adapter, adapter kit, and rotatable assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Many applications, including some vehicle applications, utilize alternating current (AC) electric motors with fans for radiator cooling rather than gas or diesel engines. However, AC electric motors typically operate at a constant speed, which is one drawback. To make the fan speed variable, a variable frequency drive (VFD) must be added to the system. The total cost of adding a VFD to an AC electric motor is prohibitively expensive, so alternative options are being investigated. One such option is the addition of an electronically controlled viscous fan clutch to the electric motor, which allows the fan speed to be fully variable while the motor speed remains constant. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Thus, it would be desirable to provide a mechanism for engaging a clutch on an output shaft of the type commonly found on electric motors, and preferably enable assembly of a driveline between the motor and fan in a relatively simple manner, selecting either a variable drive arrangement (which uses a clutch) or a direct drive arrangement (which does not use a clutch). [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one aspect, a kit for a drivetrain of a rotatable assembly including an output shaft having a key may include a tapered bushing, a tapered adapter, and a bushing lock. The tapered bushing may include a flange, a sleeve portion, a central opening, a keyway disposed along the central opening, and at least one flange fastening hole in the flange. The sleeve portion may have an outwardly tapered mating surface. The tapered adapter may have a hub body, an internal cavity, a threaded shaft extending axially forward from a center of an end face portion of the hub body opposite the internal cavity, at least one hub fastening hole extending substantially axially through the hub body, and an inwardly tapered mating surface disposed along the internal cavity. The tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing and the tapered adapter are configured to be engageable with one another. The at least one hub fastening hole of the tapered adapter and the at least one flange fastening hole of the tapered bushing are configured to align and engage at least one fastener therebetween when the tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing is engaged with the tapered mating surface of the tapered adapter. The bushing lock may have an axially extending bushing lock central opening, a keyway disposed along the bushing lock central opening, and a substantially radially extending fastening hole. The bushing lock is configured for securability on the output shaft adjacent the tapered bushing.

[0005] In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a rotatable assembly includes engaging a tapered bushing with an output shaft such that a keyway of the tapered bushing engages a key of the output shaft; engaging a bushing lock on the output shaft adjacent to the tapered bushing such that a keyway of the bushing lock engages a key of the output shaft; securing the bushing lock to the output shaft against axial movement; engaging a tapered adapter with a tapered bushing such that a tapered mating surface of the tapered adapter engages a tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing; and engaging the tapered adapter and the tapered bushing with a fastener.

[0006] In another aspect, a rotatable assembly for providing a drivetrain for transmitting torque from a rotatable output shaft having a key may include a tapered bushing, a tapered adapter, and a bushing lock. The tapered bushing may include a flange, a sleeve portion, a central opening, and a keyway. The sleeve portion of the tapered bushing may have an outwardly facing tapered mating surface. The output shaft is disposed within the central opening of the tapered bushing, and the key is engageable with the keyway. The tapered adapter may include a hub body having an end face portion, an internal cavity, a threaded shaft extending axially forward from a center of the end face portion opposite the internal cavity, and an inwardly facing tapered mating surface disposed along the internal cavity. The tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing and the tapered adapter are engageable with each other, and the flange of the tapered bushing and the hub body of the tapered adapter are securable with a fastener. The bushing lock may include a bushing lock central opening in which the output shaft is disposed, a keyway that engages the key, and a fastener that includes a fastener that engages the fastener hole in the output shaft and the bushing lock, the fastener hole extending substantially radially. The bushing lock may be disposed adjacent to the tapered bushing such that the tapered bushing is axially retained on the output shaft.

[0007] In yet another aspect, a tapered adapter for a rotatable assembly may include a circumferentially continuous hub body, an internal cavity, a threaded shaft, and at least one hub fastening hole. The hub body may include an axial extension having a cylindrical shape, a radially extending end face located at a distal end of the axial extension, and an inwardly tapered mating surface having a frusto-conical shape. The internal cavity may be defined by both the axial extension and the end face and may have a rear surface opening opposite the end face. The tapered mating surface may be disposed along the internal cavity. The threaded shaft may extend axially forward from a center of the hub body opposite the end face of the internal cavity and may be aligned with a rotation axis of the tapered adapter. The threaded shaft may be the only portion of the tapered adapter that has threads that encircle the rotation axis. The at least one hub fastening hole may extend substantially axially and through the axial extension of the hub body.

[0008] This Summary is provided by way of example and not by way of limitation. Other aspects of the invention will be understood in light of the entirety of this disclosure, including the full text, claims, and accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a side view of a drive train of a rotatable assembly. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the rotatable assembly of FIG. 1A, without the fan. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the rotatable assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the rotating assembly, taken at a different cross section than Figure 2, and omitting the clutch in Figure 3A. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is another cross-sectional view of the same portion of the rotating assembly, taken at a different cross section than Figure 2, and omitting the clutch in Figure 3B. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the tapered adapter. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a rotatable assembly having a direct drive configuration. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a rotatable assembly having a direct drive configuration.

[0010] The foregoing figures show one or more embodiments of the invention, but other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the description. In any case, the disclosure is presented as representative of the invention, not as limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other modifications and embodiments may be devised within the principles and concepts of the invention. The drawings may not be drawn to scale. Applications and embodiments of the invention may include features, steps, and / or components not specifically shown in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotatable assembly with a tapered adapter and associated adapter kit, as well as methods of making and using the same. The disclosed assembly and tapered adapter allow a clutch to be attached to the output shaft of an electric motor, thereby allowing an output device, such as a fan, to be driven at variable speeds. Additionally, in some embodiments, the adapter kit allows for flexible and relatively easy switching between attaching a fan (or other output device) directly to the output shaft of the motor (without a fan clutch) or connecting a clutch between the motor and the fan (or other output device). For example, an adapter kit embodiment can provide a tapered bushing that can be used to attach a tapered hub of a fan to an electric motor in a direct drive configuration. Alternatively, a tapered adapter can be provided that can be attached to the tapered bushing and threaded onto which a fan clutch can be threaded, such that the fan clutch is operatively connected between the fan and the motor in a variable drive configuration. The rotatable assembly can also include features that allow the assembly to be removably mechanically secured to both the input and output components of a drivetrain, while allowing, for example, the tapered adapter to be unscrewed and separated from the tapered bushing. The rotatable assembly allows for fully variable output speed control using a variable speed clutch in combination with an essentially single speed electric motor without the need for a variable frequency drive (VFD). The use of a tapered adapter allows for relatively easy assembly and disassembly of the drivetrain using a relatively small number of parts. The tapered adapter and adapter kit also provide a robust structure for torque transfer. Thus, a clutch having a threaded input connection can be readily engaged with a motor that does not have a threaded output shaft. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the entirety of this disclosure, including the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG 1A is a side view of rotatable assembly 20. FIG 1B is a front perspective view of a portion of rotatable assembly 20, and FIG 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof. FIG 3A is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of rotatable assembly 20, and FIG 3B is a cross-sectional view of another portion of rotatable assembly 20, taken at a different cross section than FIG 2. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, rotatable assembly 20 includes a motor 22 having an output shaft 24, a clutch 26, a fan 28, and an adapter kit 30. The fan 28 is not shown in FIGS 2, 3A, and 3B, and the clutch 26 is not shown in FIGS 3A and 3B.

[0013] The motor 22 is operable to provide a torque output via an output shaft 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 22 is configured as an electric motor. In some embodiments, the motor may be an alternating current (AC) electric motor that operates at an essentially constant speed. That is, the motor is an AC electric motor without a VFD, and when the motor is energized, a torque output is generated only at a single speed. In some embodiments, the motor 22 is configured to operate unidirectionally, i.e., to rotate only in a single rotational direction when generating output torque. It should be noted that in the cross-sectional view, the interior of the motor 22 is simplified as a solid object, omitting details of the internal components. In general, possible configurations of suitable motors, such as electric motors, are well known and need not be described in detail herein.

[0014] Torque output from the motor 22 selectively rotates the output shaft 24 about a rotation axis A. The output shaft 24 may be an integral part of the motor 22, such as a shaft carrying windings or permanent magnets when the motor 22 is an electric motor, in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the output shaft 24 may be a separate shaft that engages the motor 22, configured as an extension or auxiliary shaft that engages with a separate shaft of the motor 22. Additionally, in some further embodiments, additional drivetrain components may be disposed between the motor 22 and the output shaft 24. The output shaft 24 may include a key (or spline) 24-1, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0015] The clutch 26 may be an electrically controlled, fully variable clutch having a mounting connection 26-1. In the illustrated embodiment, the clutch 26 is a variable speed, electrically controlled viscous clutch having a center shaft input via the mounting connection 26-1. Such clutches are well known. The clutch 26 is capable of selectively controlling the input torque to output the torque at a desired output speed from about 0% to 100% of the input speed (e.g., the input speed of the output shaft 24). The torque output from the clutch 26 is provided to a fan 28 or another output device engaged with the clutch 26, and selective control of the output speed of the clutch 26 can variably control the rotational speed of the fan 28 or other output device even if the output speed of the motor 22 is essentially fixed at a single speed. In some embodiments, the hub of the fan 28 can be fixed to the clutch 26 on a threaded stud in a rotationally fixed manner or in other suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting connection 26-1 is a female threaded connection that accepts the torque input to the clutch 26 at the center of the clutch aligned with the axis of rotation A. In further embodiments, the mounting connection 26-1 may instead be configured with male threads or alternatively another type of mechanical connection.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter kit 30 includes a tapered bushing 32, a tapered adapter 34, a bushing lock 36, and suitable fasteners (not all shown). The tapered bushing 32 may include a flange 32-1 and a sleeve portion 32-2 having a central opening 32C and a tapered mating surface 32M. The flange 32-1 may extend radially outward from the axially extending sleeve portion 32-2 and is located at the rear end of the sleeve portion 32-2 in the illustrated embodiment. The flange 32-1 in the illustrated embodiment includes suitable flange fastening holes 32-1F for attaching the tapered bushing 32 to the tapered adapter 34 with suitable mechanical fasteners F (one of the fasteners F is shown without hatching in FIG. 2 for simplicity). The flange fastening holes 32-1F may be threaded. In some embodiments, the flange 32-1 may include additional holes used to engage and disengage another part from the tapered bushing 32. The central opening 32C allows the output shaft 24 to be inserted or passed through the tapered bushing 32 and radially retains the tapered bushing 32 on the output shaft 24. Additionally, a keyway 32-3 that receives a key (or spline) 24-1 of the output shaft 24 can be provided along the central opening 32C to rotationally fix the tapered bushing 32 relative to the output shaft 24 and facilitate torque transmission between the output shaft 24 and the tapered bushing 32 of the adapter kit 30. The tapered mating surface 32M of the sleeve portion 32-2 is a radially outwardly facing frustoconical shape and can receive a tapered adapter 34 or can receive a fan or other output component (as described later in this disclosure). In some embodiments, the tapered bushing 32 can further include a split portion 32-4 (see FIG. 2) that can pass through both the flange 32-1 and the sleeve portion 32-2 and the tapered mating surface 32M and generally axially through the tapered bushing 32. This causes the tapered bushing to split circumferentially, such that the diameter of the central opening 32C reduces slightly when load is applied, similar to a quick disconnect (QD) bushing, facilitating installation by clamping.

[0017] The tapered bushing 32 may be axially secured (at least partially) to the output shaft by a bushing lock 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the bushing lock 36 is generally annular with a central opening 36-1 extending axially and attachable to the output shaft 24, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The bushing lock 36 has fastener holes 36-2 oriented radially and extending substantially radially through the bushing lock 36 (i.e., extending in a different direction than the central opening 36-1 and opening on opposite inward and outward sides). The fastener holes 36-2 may be used to engage the bushing lock 36 to the output shaft 24 (e.g., by frictional engagement with the outer surface of the output shaft 24) with a fastener 36F, such as a threaded fastener, such as a set screw. In some embodiments, the bushing lock 36 may not be divided circumferentially, except for the fastener holes 36-2. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the bushing lock 36 is located beyond the distal end of the sleeve portion 32-2 opposite the flange 32-1, and the bushing lock 36 can physically prevent the tapered bushing 32 from moving axially forward toward the bushing lock 36 (e.g., by directly contacting the end of the sleeve portion 32-2). Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the bushing lock 36 includes a keyway 36-3 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) capable of receiving the key 24-1 of the output shaft 24. However, in further embodiments, the bushing lock 36 can be secured to the output shaft 24 in another suitable manner.

[0018] The tapered adapter 34 includes a hub body 34-1, an internal cavity 34-2, a tapered mating surface 34M, and a threaded shaft 34-3. In some embodiments, the tapered adapter 34 can be fabricated as a single monolithic part. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the internal cavity 34-2 is formed inside the hub body 34-1 at the center of the hub body 34-1 and is formed to have a rearwardly open portion. The tapered mating surface 34M can be a radially inward frustoconical surface disposed on the hub body 34-1 along the internal cavity 34-2. In that sense, the hub body 34-1 has a cup shape in the illustrated embodiment, and the axial extension 34-1A has a generally cylindrical sleeve-like shape. Also, a radially extending substantially flat end surface portion 34-1E can be disposed at the distal end of the axial extension 34-1A. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal cavity 34-2 is bounded by both the axial extension 34-1A and the end face 34-1E, and is open at a rear end opposite the end face 34-1E. When the adapter kit 30 is fully assembled and engaged with the rotatable assembly 20, the output shaft 24 and a portion of the tapered bushing 32, as well as some or all of the bushing lock 36, are disposed inside the internal cavity 34-2 of the hub body 34-1. In particular, the distal end 24D of the output shaft 24 can be disposed inside the internal cavity 34-2 when assembled. The geometry of the internal cavity 34-2 provides clearance for any features other than the tapered mating surface 32-1 of the tapered bushing 32 itself, such as the output shaft 24, any means for fixing the tapered bushing 32 in place axially, etc. For example, in some embodiments, the internal cavity portion 34-2 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and an axial length that is equal to or greater than the combined axial length of the sleeve portion 32-2 and the bushing lock 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the tapered adapter 34 is continuous in the circumferential direction, rather than being split, so that a wedge load to clamp the tapered bushing 32 to the output shaft 24 can be more easily applied.

[0019] The tapered mating surface 34M of the tapered adapter 34 is matable with a corresponding tapered mating surface 32M of the tapered bushing 32, as shown, for example, in Figures 2, 3A, and 3B. When the tapered mating surface 32M of the tapered bushing 32 and the tapered mating surface 34M of the tapered adapter 34 are engaged to complete the assembly, the tapered adapter 34 is held radially relative to the output shaft 24 and the tapered bushing 32. In some embodiments, the engagement of the tapered mating surface 32M of the tapered bushing 32 with the tapered mating surface 34M of the tapered adapter 34 applies a clamping force to the tapered bushing 32, thereby providing frictional resistance to axial movement of the tapered bushing 32 and helping to axially hold the tapered bushing on the output shaft 24. Thus, the friction fit between the tapered mating surface 32M and the tapered mating surface 34M allows for torque transmission between the tapered bushing 32 and the tapered adapter 34, as well as rotationally locking the tapered bushing 32 and the tapered adapter 34. In some embodiments utilizing a fan 28 and configured with the motor 22 to rotate in one direction, the rotation of the fan 28 creates an airflow that tends to exert an axially forward force on the drive train components of the kit 30, acting as a pulling force on the bushing lock 36. Meanwhile, the unidirectional configuration of the motor 22 means that these same components do not experience significant axial rearward loads, meaning that a relatively small frictional force is sufficient to hold the tapered bushing 32 on the output shaft 24 and prevent axial rearward movement. If additional axial retention is required, such as for use with a bidirectional motor, an additional bushing lock can be provided aft of the tapered bushing 32 (e.g., adjacent the flange 32-1) to enhance axial retention.

[0020] 4, which is a perspective view of the tapered adapter 34 in isolation, the tapered adapter 34 has a plurality of holes 34-4 including a set of hub fastening holes 34-4B for fastening the tapered adapter 34 to the tapered bushing 32 with fasteners F, and another set of threaded holes 34-4R to aid in removing the tapered adapter 34 from the tapered bushing 32. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of holes 34-4 can be located radially outward from the internal cavity 34-2, generally at the end face 34-1E of the hub body 34-1. In the illustrated embodiment (see FIG. 4), the tapered adapter 34 includes three axially arranged threaded holes 34-4R. A user threads a threaded fastener (not shown) thereinto to apply a generally axial force to the flange 32-1 of the tapered bushing 32 to separate the tapered adapter 34 from the tapered bushing 32 and assist in disengaging the tapered mating surface 34M from the tapered mating surface 32M. The threaded holes 34-4R can be positioned so as not to align with any of the holes in the flange 32-1 of the tapered bushing 32. Additionally, the illustrated embodiment of the tapered adapter 34 includes three axially disposed unthreaded hub fastening holes 34-4B that can receive fasteners F (e.g., threaded bolts) for securing the tapered adapter 34 to the tapered bushing 32, such as through corresponding flange fastening holes 32-1F in the flange 32-1 of the tapered bushing 32. The hub fastening holes 34-4B and the flange fastening holes 32-1F can be circumferentially (i.e., clockwise) positioned such that they are aligned with one another when the tapered mating surface 34M of the tapered adapter 34 and the tapered mating surface 32M of the tapered bushing 32 engage with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the hub fastening holes 34-4B and the threaded holes 34-4R are positioned in pairs, with each pair (and each individual hub fastening hole 34-4B or each individual threaded hole 34-4R of a given type) being spaced apart from the adjacent hole by approximately 120°. In further embodiments, the hub fastening holes 34-4B and the threaded holes 34-4R can be provided in different numbers and / or different arrangements, and in some embodiments, the threaded holes 34-4R can be omitted altogether.By engaging a fastener between the tapered bushing 32 and the tapered adapter 34 through the hub fastening hole 34-4B, the tapered bushing 32 and the tapered adapter 34 can be rotationally fixed, which helps enable the transmission of torque between them.

[0021] The threaded shaft 34-3 of the tapered adapter 34 extends from the hub body 34-1. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded shaft 34-3 extends axially forward from the center of the end face 34-1E of the hub body 34-1, opposite the rearward facing internal cavity 34-2. The threaded shaft 34-3 in the illustrated embodiment is externally threaded, but in other embodiments may be internally threaded depending on the configuration of the device to which the kit 30 is to be attached (e.g., the mounting connection 26-1 of the clutch 26). When installed in the drivetrain, the threaded shaft 34-3 of the tapered adapter 34 is aligned with the rotation axis A of the rotatable assembly 20, which is also aligned with the output shaft 24. The tapered adapter 34 should be made of a material of similar strength to the material of the mounting connection 26-1 to the clutch 26, for example in embodiments where the mounting connection 26-1 is made of steel and the tapered adapter 34 is made of cast iron or steel. To allow the clutch 26 to rotate without disengaging from the tapered adapter 34, it is essential that the direction of rotation of the threads of the threaded shaft 34-3 is opposite to the intended direction of rotation of the output shaft 24. In some embodiments, the threaded shaft 34-3 may be the only portion of the threaded tapered adapter 34 that has threads that encircle the axis of rotation A (e.g., each of the threaded holes 34-4R is located on only one side of the axis of rotation A).

[0022] When fully assembled to provide a drivetrain enabling torque transfer between the motor 22 and the fan 28, the rotatable assembly 20 may include at least some of the components of the kit 30 that are axially disposed between the motor 22 and the fan 28, such as on the output shaft 24, and engaged generally aft of the clutch 26. In such a configuration, the axial length of the drivetrain of the rotatable assembly 20 is kept relatively short, and the components of the kit 30 and the clutch 26 add negligible axial length to the entire rotatable assembly 20 beyond the distal end 24D of the output shaft.

[0023] One advantage of the disclosed adapter kit 30 is that it allows the use of the viscous clutch 26 with a simple electric motor 22, thus achieving fully variable output (e.g., fan output) speed control without the need for a variable frequency drive (VFD), and other advantages include fewer parts. The disclosed tapered adapter 34 integrates two parts into one: a tapered part (e.g., tapered mating surface 34M) that fits into the tapered bushing 32, and a hub part (e.g., hub body 34-1 and threaded shaft 34-3) that is attached to the tapered bushing 32 to attach the tapered bushing 32 to the clutch 26.

[0024] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the rotatable assembly 20' in a direct drive configuration. As previously described, the adapter kit 30 allows the motor 22 to directly drive the fan 28 (or other output device) without the need for a drive train clutch to couple the motor 22 to the fan 28 (or other output device). For example, if the motor 22 includes a VFD, this allows variable control of the output speed of the motor 22, which in turn results in the rotational speed of the fan 28, etc. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the tapered bushing 32 is secured to the output shaft 24 by a key 24-1 and held in place by a bushing lock 36 in the same manner as previously described.

[0025] 5A and 5B, the fan 28 includes a hub 28-1 having a central opening 28-2 with a tapered mating surface 28M. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the fan 28 includes a plurality of blades 28-3 secured (e.g., with suitable fasteners) to a pair of hub plates 28-4, and a spacer 28-5 is disposed at or near the central opening 28-2 and secured to the hub plates 28-4. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 28-5 is generally T-shaped and has a first portion 28-5A axially disposed between the hub plates 28-4 (and secured to the hub plates 28-4 with fasteners) and a second portion 28-5B that defines the central opening 28-2 and a radially inward tapered mating surface 28M. The second portion 28-5B of the spacer 28-5 can extend radially inward beyond the inner diameter end of the hub plate 28-4 and can be axially thicker than the first portion 28-5A. The hub 28-1 can thus be directly attached to the tapered bushing 32, with the tapered mating surface 28M contacting the tapered mating surface 32M, and the hub 28-1 secured to the tapered bushing 32 with suitable fasteners. For example, in some embodiments, fastener openings (not specifically shown) can be provided in the second portion 28-5B, as in the tapered adapter 34, to receive fasteners F that further engage with flange fastening holes 32-1F in the tapered bushing 32. In some embodiments, the spacer 28-5 can be the same as or similar to those used in the hubs of HTEC® brand fans available from Horton, Inc. (Roseville, MN, USA).

[0026] In this alternative embodiment of the rotatable assembly 20' in a direct drive configuration, it is possible to omit or simply not use the tapered adapter 34. For example, if an adapter kit 30 including the tapered adapter 34 is initially provided, the tapered adapter 34 is discarded from the kit 30 and not installed in the drive train of the rotatable assembly 20'. In some embodiments, if a direct drive configuration is desired, the spacer 28-5 may not be installed inside the kit 30 and only the fan 28 may be installed. However, in alternative embodiments, the spacer 28-5 may be included in the kit 30 for use as needed and to allow for changeover.

[0027] In a further embodiment, a tapered mating surface can be provided on another output device, such as a pulley, which can mate with tapered bushing 32 and be secured with suitable fasteners in a similar manner as discussed with respect to tapered adapter 34 and spacer 28-5.

[0028] Thus, kit 30 allows for selective installation of components in the drive train of rotatable assembly 20 to select either a direct drive configuration (no clutch in the drive train as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) or an indirect drive configuration (variable speed clutch 26 in the drive train as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, and 3B). Additionally, tapered adapter 34 allows for the retrofitting of clutch 26 to direct drive rotatable assembly 20'. This involves reinstalling fan hub 28-1 and replacing it with tapered adapter 34, and installing clutch 26 and fan 28.

[0029] It should be noted that the invention(s) of this disclosure include the entire rotatable assembly (including the motor, clutch, fan, and adapter kit), the adapter kit itself (which can be used in the drivetrain of the rotatable assembly), the tapered adapter itself (which can be used in the adapter kit and / or the rotatable assembly), and methods of making and using such components, kits, and assemblies.

[0030] Description of possible embodiments.

[0031] A kit for a drivetrain of a rotatable assembly including an output shaft having a key may include a tapered bushing, a tapered adapter, and a bushing lock. The tapered bushing may have a flange, a sleeve portion, a central opening, a keyway disposed along the central opening, and at least one flange fastening hole in the flange. The sleeve portion may include an outwardly tapered mating surface. The tapered adapter may have a hub body, an internal cavity, a threaded shaft extending axially forward from a center of an end face portion of the hub body opposite the internal cavity, at least one hub fastening hole extending substantially axially through the hub body, and an inwardly tapered mating surface located along the internal cavity. The tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing and the tapered adapter are configured to be engageable with one another. When the tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing is engaged with the tapered mating surface of the tapered adapter, the at least one hub fastening hole of the tapered adapter and the at least one flange fastening hole of the tapered bushing are aligned to engage at least one fastener therebetween. The bushing lock may have an axially extending bushing lock central opening, a keyway disposed along the bushing lock central opening, and a substantially radially extending fastening hole. The bushing lock is configured for securability on the output shaft adjacent the tapered bushing.

[0032] The kit according to paragraph

[0031] may optionally additionally and / or alternatively comprise the following paragraphs:

[0033] It may include one or more of the features, configurations and / or additional components set forth in paragraphs

[0035] to

[0036] .

[0033] A fan hub is provided having an inwardly facing tapered mating surface, the tapered mating surface of the fan hub and the tapered mating surface of the tapered adapter being configured to be engageable with one another.

[0034] The hub body of the tapered adapter may include an axial extension that is substantially cylindrical.

[0035] The end surface may be substantially planar.

[0036] A method of manufacturing a rotatable assembly may include engaging a tapered bushing with an output shaft such that a keyway of the tapered bushing engages a key of the output shaft; engaging a bushing lock with the output shaft adjacent to the tapered bushing such that a keyway of the bushing lock engages a key of the output shaft; fixing the bushing lock to the output shaft so as to prevent axial movement; engaging a tapered adapter with a tapered bushing such that a tapered mating surface of the tapered adapter engages a tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing; and engaging the tapered adapter and the tapered bushing with a fastener.

[0037] The method according to paragraph

[0036] may optionally further and / or alternatively further comprise the steps of:

[0038] It may have one or more of the features, configurations and / or additional steps of paragraphs

[0044] to

[0044] .

[0038] The tapered adapter may have an internal cavity, and the bushing lock is positionable inside the internal cavity of the tapered adapter.

[0039] The tapered adapter may further include a hub body having an end face.

[0040] The tapered adapter may further have a threaded shaft extending axially forward from the center of the end face opposite the internal cavity.

[0041] The step includes engaging a clutch with a threaded shaft of a tapered adapter.

[0042] The method includes removing a fan including a hub having a tapered mating surface from a tapered bushing.

[0043] The step of removing the fan, including the hub having the tapered mating surface, from the tapered bushing may occur prior to the step of engaging the tapered adapter with the tapered bushing.

[0044] Securing the bushing lock against axial movement on the output shaft may include tightening a fastener engaged with the bushing lock against the output shaft.

[0045] A rotatable assembly for providing a drivetrain for transmitting torque from a rotatable output shaft having a key may include a tapered bushing, a tapered adapter, and a bushing lock. The tapered bushing may have a flange, a sleeve portion, a central opening, and a keyway. The sleeve portion of the tapered bushing may have an outwardly facing tapered mating surface. The output shaft is disposed within the central opening of the tapered bushing, and the key is engageable with the keyway. The tapered adapter may have a hub body having an end face portion, an internal cavity, a threaded shaft extending axially forward from a center of the end face portion opposite the internal cavity, and an inwardly facing tapered mating surface disposed along the internal cavity. The tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing and the tapered adapter are engageable with each other, and the flange of the tapered bushing and the hub body of the tapered adapter are securable with a fastener. The bushing lock may include a bushing lock central opening in which the output shaft is disposed, a keyway engaged with the key, and a substantially radially extending fastener hole containing a fastener that engages the output shaft and the fastener hole in the bushing lock. The bushing lock may be disposed adjacent to the tapered bushing such that the tapered bushing is axially retained on the output shaft.

[0046] The rotatable assembly described in paragraph

[0045] may optionally, additionally and / or alternatively include one or more of the features, configurations and / or additional components described below in paragraphs

[0048] through

[0057] .

[0047] A clutch is provided secured to the threaded shaft of the tapered adapter such that torque from the output shaft is transmitted through the tapered adapter to the clutch.

[0048] A fan is included that is engaged with a clutch, the clutch being configured to selectively control rotation of the fan.

[0049] The threaded shaft of the tapered adapter may be configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the output shaft.

[0050] The bushing lock may be disposed inside the internal cavity of the tapered adapter.

[0051] The tapered adapter may further include at least one hub fastening hole disposed axially opposite the flange of the tapered bushing.

[0052] Equipped with an electric motor.

[0053] The electric motor is configurable to have a non-variable output speed.

[0054] The electric motor may be configured for unidirectional operation.

[0055] The bushing lock can directly contact the distal end of the sleeve portion of the tapered bushing.

[0056] The tapered bushing may be circumferentially divided by slots.

[0057] The tapered adapter cannot be split circumferentially.

[0058] A tapered adapter for a rotatable assembly may include a circumferentially continuous hub body, an internal cavity, a threaded shaft, and at least one hub fastening hole. The hub body may include an axial extension having a cylindrical shape, a radially extending end face located at a distal end of the axial extension, and an inwardly facing tapered mating surface having a frusto-conical shape. The internal cavity may be defined by both the axial extension and the end face and may include a rear surface that opens opposite the end face. The tapered mating surface may be disposed along the internal cavity. The threaded shaft may extend axially forward from a center of the end face of the hub body opposite the internal cavity and may be aligned with a rotation axis of the tapered adapter. The at least one hub fastening hole may extend substantially axially and through the axial extension of the hub body. Optionally, the threaded shaft may be the only portion of the tapered adapter that has threads that surround the rotation axis.

[0059] summary.

[0060] Any relative or degree terms used herein, such as "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," etc., should be interpreted in accordance with and in accordance with any applicable definitions or limitations expressly set forth herein. In all cases, any relative or degree terms used herein should be interpreted broadly to encompass the relevant disclosed embodiments, as well as ranges and variations that would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the entirety of this disclosure, such as normal tolerable manufacturing variations, accidental alignment variations, temporary alignment or shape variations induced by thermal, rotational or vibrational operating conditions, temporary signal fluctuations, etc. Furthermore, any relative or degree terms used herein should be interpreted to encompass a range that expressly includes the specified quality, characteristic, parameter, or value without variation, as if no limiting relative or degree term was utilized in a given disclosure or description.

[0061] The word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used herein in an open-ended manner and should be construed to mean the inclusion of a described element, feature, or step, or group of elements, features, or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, feature, or step, or group of elements, features, or steps. Unless expressly limited further, the use of the word "comprise" or variations thereof does not exclude additional elements, steps, or groups of elements or steps not described alone. Furthermore, unless expressly limited, the words "a" and "an" as used herein refer to one or more and are not intended to limit the identified element, feature, step, etc. to only one. However, the use of the words "a" and "an" herein should be construed subject to and subject to any applicable further limitations expressly stated in the context of the particular use instance, and not to extend the limitations specific to such context generically to all other uses.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A kit for a drive train of a rotatable assembly including an output shaft having a key, the kit comprising a tapered bushing, a tapered adapter, and a bushing lock; The tapered bushing has a flange, a sleeve portion including an outwardly tapered mating surface, a central opening, a keyway disposed along the central opening, and at least one flange fastening hole in the flange; the tapered adapter has a hub body, an internal cavity, an inwardly tapered mating surface disposed along the internal cavity, a threaded shaft extending axially forward from a center of an end face portion of the hub body opposite the internal cavity, and at least one hub fastening hole extending substantially axially through the hub body, the tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing and the tapered adapter being configured to be engageable with each other, and when the tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing is engaged with the tapered mating surface of the tapered adapter, the at least one hub fastening hole of the tapered adapter and the at least one flange fastening hole of the tapered bushing are aligned to engage at least one fastener therebetween, the bushing lock having an axially extending bushing lock central opening, a keyway disposed along the bushing lock central opening, and a substantially radially extending fastening hole, the bushing lock being configured for securability on the output shaft adjacent the tapered bushing.

2. 2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a fan hub having an inwardly facing tapered mating surface, the tapered mating surface of the fan hub and the respective tapered mating surfaces of the tapered adapter being configured to be engagable with one another.

3. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the tapered adapter hub body includes a substantially cylindrical axial extension and the end surface is substantially planar.

4. 1. A method of manufacturing a rotatable assembly, comprising the steps of: engaging the tapered bushing with the output shaft such that a keyway of the tapered bushing engages a key of the output shaft; engaging the bushing lock with the output shaft adjacent the tapered bushing such that a keyway of the bushing lock engages a key of the output shaft; fixing the bush lock to the output shaft against axial movement; A method of manufacturing comprising: engaging a tapered adapter with a tapered bushing such that a tapered mating surface of the tapered adapter engages a tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing; and engaging the tapered adapter and the tapered bushing with a fastener.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the tapered adapter has an internal cavity, and the bushing lock is disposed inside the internal cavity of the tapered adapter.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the tapered adapter further comprises a hub body having an end face and a threaded shaft extending axially forward from a center of the end face opposite the internal cavity, the method further comprising engaging a clutch with the threaded shaft of the tapered adapter.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising removing a fan including a hub having a tapered mating surface from the tapered bushing.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of removing the fan including a hub having a tapered mating surface from the tapered bushing occurs prior to the step of engaging the tapered adapter with the tapered bushing.

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of securing the bushing lock to the output shaft against axial movement includes tightening a bushing lock fastener engaged with the bushing lock against the output shaft.

10. 1. A rotatable assembly for providing a drive train for transmitting torque from a rotatable output shaft having a key, the rotatable assembly comprising a tapered bushing, a tapered adapter, and a bushing lock; the tapered bushing has a flange, a sleeve portion including an outwardly tapered mating surface, a central opening in which the output shaft is disposed, and a keyway in which the key is engaged; the tapered adapter has a hub body having an end portion, an internal cavity, an inwardly tapered mating surface disposed along the internal cavity, and a threaded shaft extending axially forward from a center of the end portion opposite the internal cavity, the tapered mating surface of the tapered bushing and the tapered adapter mating surface engaging one another, and a flange of the tapered bushing and the hub body of the tapered adapter being secured together with a fastener; a bushing lock having a bushing lock central opening in which the output shaft is positioned, a keyway engaged with the key, and a fastener hole extending substantially radially with the bushing lock fastener engaged with the output shaft and the bushing lock fastener hole, the bushing lock being positioned adjacent to the tapered bushing such that the tapered bushing is axially retained on the output shaft, a rotatable assembly.

11. The rotatable assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a clutch secured to the threaded shaft of the tapered adapter, wherein torque from the output shaft is transferred to the clutch through the tapered adapter.

12. The rotatable assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a fan engaged with the clutch, the clutch configured to selectively control rotation of the fan.

13. The rotatable assembly of claim 10 , wherein a direction of rotation of the threads of the threaded shaft of the tapered adapter is configured to be opposite a direction of rotation of the output shaft.

14. The rotatable assembly of claim 10 , wherein the bushing lock is disposed inside the internal cavity of the tapered adapter.

15. The rotatable assembly of claim 10 , wherein the tapered adapter further comprises at least one hub fastening hole axially disposed on an opposed flange of the tapered bushing.

16. The rotatable assembly of claim 10 , further comprising an electric motor, said electric motor having a non-variable output speed and configured for unidirectional operation.

17. The rotatable assembly of claim 10 , wherein the bushing lock directly contacts a distal end of a sleeve portion of the tapered bushing.

18. The rotatable assembly of claim 10 , wherein the tapered bushing is circumferentially divided by slots and the tapered adapter is not circumferentially divided.

19. 1. A tapered adapter for a rotatable assembly, the tapered adapter comprising a circumferentially continuous hub body, an internal cavity, a threaded shaft, and at least one hub fastening hole; the hub body has an axially extending portion having a cylindrical shape, a radially extending end face portion located at a distal end of the axially extending portion, and an inwardly tapered mating surface having a frustoconical shape; the internal cavity includes a rear surface defined by both the axial extension and the end surface and opening opposite the end surface, the tapered mating surface being disposed along the internal cavity; the threaded shaft extends axially forward from the center of the end face of the hub body opposite the internal cavity and is aligned with an axis of rotation of the tapered adapter, being the only portion of the tapered adapter having threads that circumscribe the axis of rotation; The at least one hub fastening hole extends substantially axially through the axially extending portion of the hub body.

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