Patent ID: 7100466
Filing Date: 2006-09-05
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An angular velocity profile generator comprising: a first shaft, a second shaft, a universal joint in which the first and second shafts are joined to each other by pivot pins which lie on two perpendicular axes which are fixed relatively to and intersect each other and the axes of the first and second shafts at a static point in the joint with the radially outer ends of the pivot pins on each of the pivot pin axes, in use, being rotatable in first and second circular paths about the static point, a first control arrangement for moving one of the shafts relatively to the other to vary the angular relationship between them at the universal joint, means in the universal joint which enables the path of rotation of the first universal joint pivot pin axis to be varied, in use, relatively to the path of rotation of the second pivot pin axis about the static point in the universal joint, and a second control arrangement, external to the universal joint, which is connected to the first pivot pin path varying means and is activated by the first control arrangement to cause, in use, as the first control arrangement is moved, the angular relationship between the first and second shafts and the first pivot pin path varying means to be adjusted in a predetermined relationship to achieve an output angular velocity profile to suit a specific application of the angular velocity profile generator.