Patent ID: 8677849
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: F16F,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An engine system including an engine, a first shaft, a second shaft, and a single sprocket unit mounted to at least the first shaft, the sprocket unit comprising: a damper mounted on the first shaft, the damper having a first side with a first face and a second side axially opposite the first side, the second side having a second face, the first face defining at least one recess and the second face defining a plurality of chambers, each chamber receiving a spring loaded weight; a sprocket mounted to the first shaft axially adjacent to the first face of the damper, the sprocket comprising a sprocket outer periphery for accepting a drive force and a sprocket hub defining at least one sprocket aperture, extending axially through the sprocket hub and aligned with the at least one recess, and at least one slot having a length; a front end plate mounted on the first shaft adjacent to the sprocket, the front end plate comprising a front end plate hub defining at least one front end plate aperture aligned with the at least one sprocket aperture; and at least one spring received within the at least one sprocket aperture, the at least one front end plate aperture, and the at least one recess of the damper; wherein when the first shaft rotates and a firing frequency of the engine coincides with a resonant frequency of the first shaft, the spring loaded weights slide in the chambers of the damper, dampening out the resonant frequency in the first shaft; and wherein the sprocket rotates with respect to the damper and the front end plate an amount no greater than the length of the slot, compressing and extending the at least one spring, reducing torsional load of the first shaft on the second shaft.