A DEVICE FOR PROVIDING AXIAL AND SPATIAL MISALIGNMENT COMPENSATION BETWEEN A ROTATABLE COMPONENT AND A ROTATING MEANS

摘要

An operating shaft which provides compensation for axial and spatial misalignment between a rotatable component mounted within an enclosure and a rotating apparatus generally outside the enclosure is disclosed. The operating shaft has a first end dimensioned to be slidably received within a receiving portion of the rotating apparatus such that the shaft is maintained in a fixed angular position with respect to the rotating apparatus. The shaft is axially slidable with respect to the rotating apparatus such that it will provide compensation for axial misalignment between the rotatable component and the rotating apparatus. The shaft has a second end configured to engage the rotatable component such that rotation of the rotating apparatus will produce a corresponding rotation of the rotatable component. The shaft also has a spatial compensation device which is integrally formed from the shaft between the first and second ends. The spatial compensation device provides compensation for spatial misalignment between the axis of the rotatable component and the axis of the rotatable apparatus. This is accomplished by creating a compensating angle between the first and second ends which permits the shaft to be rotated about its axis while maintaining the compensating angle.