Fail safe drive shaft system
US5407386A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D3/185
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fail safe, segmented drive shaft system includes a segment support assembly (16) comprising a ball bearing (26), for primary rotation, disposed within a journal bearing (28), for secondary rotation, which is disposed within an elastomeric damper (30) that has a vibration probe (34) placed in it for failure detection, and a coupling assembly (18) comprising a flexible diaphragm (66, 67) for primary, flexible coupling between segments and gear teeth (72, 73) which engage for secondary coupling upon failure of the diaphragm (66, 67). The teeth are not concentric with the rotational axis, so vibration indicates failure of the primary flexible coupling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.