Continuous fiber composite power transfer structures

US11473663B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA · US

Inventors

• Gary D. Roberts · Riverton, US
• Robert Handschuh · Burgkirchen an der Alz, DE
• Kelsen E. LaBerge · Berea, US
• Joel P. Johnston · Cleveland, US
• Sandi G. Miller · Northfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 22, 2019
• Grant date: Oct 18, 2022
• Expiry date: Feb 11, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B32B2262/00
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A gear includes a steel rim having an inner circumferential surface a composite gear body attached thereto. The composite gear body includes an opening in a central region thereof. A first continuous fiber composite layer extends from a first point on an outer circumferential edge of the composite gear body to a second point on the outer circumferential edge. A second continuous fiber layer extends from the first point to the second point. The composite gear body also includes a filler layer disposed between the first and second continuous fiber layers, the filler layer extending within an inner region of the composite gear body. The inner region extends radially between the opening and a boundary inward of the inner circumferential surface such that the composite gear body is thicker within the inner region.