Driver-driven connection having multiple electro-magnetically formed joints

A method of forming a double EMF joint in a torque tube assembly, the method comprising:

• inserting a fitting into one end of a torque tube, the fitting including a first plurality of fitting lands and a second plurality of fitting lands, wherein:
• the first plurality of fitting lands are positioned circumferentially about the fitting and the second plurality of fitting lands are positioned circumferentially about the fitting, such that the first plurality of torque lands are positioned spaced apart, along the fitting, from the second plurality of fitting lands, and
• the torque tube includes a first plurality of torque lands are positioned circumferentially about the torque tube and the second plurality of torque lands are positioned circumferentially about the torque tube, such that the first plurality of torque lands are positioned spaced apart, along the torque tube, from the second plurality of torque lands, such that the first plurality of fitting lands and the first plurality of torque lands comprise a first EMF joint and the second plurality of fitting lands and the second plurality of torque lands comprise a second EMF joint, such that the first EMF joint and the second EMF joint are spaced apart from one another, and
• applying an electro-magnetic field to the torque tube to form a first plurality of torque lands adjacent to the first plurality of fitting lands and to form a second plurality of torque lands adjacent to the second plurality of fitting lands, attaching the fitting to the torque tube such that a longitudinal axis of the fitting and a longitudinal axis of the torque tube are coincident,
• connecting the torque tube and the fitting to a universal joint, and
• connecting a tube member to the universal joint, such that rotation of the torque tube is transferred to the tube member through the universal joint, wherein a longitudinal axis of the tube member forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the fitting and the longitudinal axis of the torque tube.

A torque tube assembly comprising:

• a universal joint;
• a torque tube,
• a fitting attached to the torque tube by a first EMF joint and by a second EMF joint, the fitting connecting the torque tube to the universal joint, wherein:
• the first EMF joint comprises a first plurality of torque lands formed proximate a first end of the torque tube and a first plurality of fitting lands formed proximate a first end of the fitting,
• the second EMF joint comprises a second plurality of torque lands formed distal to the first end of the torque tube and a second plurality of fitting lands formed distal to the first end of the fitting,
• the first plurality of torque lands are positioned circumferentially about the torque tube and the second plurality of torque lands are positioned circumferentially about the torque tube, such that the first plurality of torque lands are positioned spaced apart, along the torque tube, from the second plurality of torque lands,
• the first plurality of fitting lands are positioned circumferentially about the fitting and the second plurality of fitting lands are positioned circumferentially about the fitting, such that the first plurality of torque lands are positioned spaced apart, along the fitting, from the second plurality of fitting lands,
• the fitting and the torque tube are connected to the universal joint, and a tube member is connected to the universal joint, wherein:
• the tube member has a longitudinal axis such that the fitting and torque tube extend out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tube member, and
• the universal joint, the torque tube, and the fitting are part of an aircraft wing flap or slat actuating system.