Composite flexible coupling
AssigneeCrompton Technology Group Limited
InventorWill Pollitt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between parts of a transmission shaft system comprises a tubular section of continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material which has been modified to form a living hinge section with reduced bending stiffness to allow flexion of the tubular section. The tubular section may be modified through the provision of a pattern of formations within the living hinge section. The formations may be in the form of apertures and/or recesses in the continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material to create a plurality of living hinges in the material between, in particular slots and/or grooves.
Claims9
A flexible coupling for transmitting torque between parts of a transmission shaft system, comprising:
- a tubular section of continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material which has been modified to form a living hinge section with reduced bending stiffness to allow flexion of the tubular section, wherein the tubular section is located between and connected to two end sections and wherein:
- a first of the end sections comprises a first cylindrical portion that is connected via a frustoconical portion to a first end of the tubular section;
- a second of the end sections comprises a second cylindrical portion that is connected via a frustoconical portion to a second, opposite, end of the tubular section;
- the tubular section has a larger diameter than each of the first and second cylindrical portions;
- and
- the tubular section is formed of a continuous-fibre-reinforced composite material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.