| 摘要 |
A torsionally controlled swivel joint having at least one axis of rotation is provided with a torque element, either in the form of a helical torsion spring or one or more torsion bars, completely enclosed within the flow passage of the joint to counteract torsional forces applied to one section of the joint relative to another section. One end of the torque element is rigidly connected to one section of the joint while the other end is rigidly connected to a cylindrical adjustment disc rotatable with and sealed in fluid tight engagement to the other section of the swivel joint. In the preferred embodiment, torsional preloading of the torque element is achieved by a plurality of locking balls in a ball race formed in the mating surfaces of the adjustment disc and swivel joint section. The disc is held in desired angular relationship by loading the desired number of balls on each side of and between a ball stop block removably connected to the adjustment disc and the ball plug removably connected to the associated swivel joint section. Other embodiments of the invention provides means for finely ajdusting the torsional preload of the spring in increments less than the diameter of one locking ball.
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