Damage tolerant shaft
US6918839B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/75
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The damage tolerant shaft and associated method of fabricating a damage tolerant shaft provide a drive shaft that is tolerant of accidental and projectile damage to a portion of the drive shaft. The damage tolerant drive shaft is designed with internal ribs or lobes, such that a closed portion of the drive shaft will likely remain after the drive shaft is partially damaged. Thus, the damage tolerant drive shaft is able to continue proper operation after being partially damaged because the closed portion of the shaft creates a closed path around which the internal shear stresses that correspond to the required torque loads flow. In addition, the damage tolerant shaft and associated method provide damage tolerance without increasing the radius, wall thickness and/or weight of the drive shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.