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US 10,480,585 B2Granted
Redundant coupling arrangements
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsJerry L. Goeke, Brayton Reed
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible diaphragm coupling that includes a primary torque path and a secondary torque path. The secondary torque path includes a crowned or spherical spline assembly and provides additional capability during transient overtorque of the primary torque path or acts as the primary torque path in the unlikely event of diaphragm failure.
Claims11
A redundant coupling arrangement, comprising:
- a first member defining a first axis;
- a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
- a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis;
- and
- a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
- wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;
- wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body;
- and
- wherein the flexible coupling arrangement has a first operating mode, wherein all torque is transmitted through the first torque transmitting arrangement and there is zero contact in the second torque transmitting arrangement;
- a second operating mode, wherein all torque is transmitted through the second torque transmitting arrangement in case of failure of the first torque transmitting arrangement;
- and
- a third operating mode, wherein torque is split between the first torque transmitting arrangement and the second torque transmitting arrangement, the first torque transmitting arrangement being the primary torque transmission mechanism and the second torque transmitting arrangement providing overload protection by engaging (via contact) after a predetermined amount of torque has been applied to the redundant coupling arrangement.
9 more elements
A redundant coupling arrangement, comprising:
- a first member defining a first axis;
- a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
- a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis;
- and
- a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
- wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;
- wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body, wherein the plurality of external splines are received within respective internal splines, and wherein the internal splines have planar surfaces, wherein the external splines have an arcuate profile and a spherical drive surface.
4 more elements
A redundant coupling arrangement, comprising:
- a first member defining a first axis;
- a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
- a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis;
- and
- a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
- wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;
- wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body, wherein the plurality of external splines are received within respective internal splines, and wherein the external splines have a first position and a second position, surfaces of the external splines being separated from faces of the internal splines in the first position, the surfaces of the external splines contacting faces of the internal splines the second position.
4 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a first member defining a first axis;
- a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
- a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis;
- and
- a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
- wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;
- wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body;
- a driving member connected to the first member;
- and
- a driven member connected to the second member, wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement has a first configuration and a second configuration, no torque being communicated through the second torque transmitting arrangement in the first configuration, torque being communicated through the second torque transmitting arrangement in the second configuration.
7 more elements
A method of redundantly communicating torque through a transmission, comprising:
- receiving torque at a first member defining a first axis;
- and
- communicating the torque to a second member defining a second axis and operably connected to the first member by a first torque transmitting arrangement and a second torque transmitting arrangement while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular displacement of the first axis relative to the second axis,
- wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member, and
- wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body, wherein the torque is initially transmitted through the first torque transmitting arrangement and not the second torque transmitting arrangement, and thereafter is transmitted through both the first and second torque transmitting arrangements.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.