Dust cap assembly having two snap ring securing mechanism in a slip spline assembly

摘要

A dust cover assembly for a slip spline assembly acts as a mechanical fuse in response to fluid pressure and includes a cup shaped dust cover and two snap rings for securing the dust cover in the yoke bore end of the slip spline assembly. The larger snap ring is fitted in an annular groove in the yoke while the smaller snap ring is fitted in an annular groove in cylindrical side wall of the dust cover. The groove in the side wall of the dust cover divides the side wall up into exposed and unexposed segments. By selecting the radial thicknesses of the groove in the side wall or the axial length of unexposed segment, the failure limit at which the dust cover pops out from the yoke due to pressures or forces in the yoke bore can be readily predicted. The dust cover assembly provides increased reliability of the slip spline assembly by providing a consistent pressure or load in the yoke bore which will cause the dust cover to release from the yoke and relieve the yoke bore pressure.