Load sharing composite shaft
OwnerJerald S. Burkettinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composite shaft for transmitting torsional forces between end pieces of the shaft. The shaft includes an inner tube member with an end piece mounted at each end of the tube. A composite material is provided covering the inner tube member and at least a portion of the end pieces. The composite material includes elongated fibers oriented at a predetermined angle which optimizes the strength of the shaft for a desired shaft performance, and the shaft is constructed to provide multiple load paths between the end pieces.
Claims16
A shaft for the transmission of torsional loads, the shaft comprising:
- an elongated inner tube member;
- at least one end piece located adjacent at least one end of the inner tube member;
- a composite material covering the inner tube member and at least a portion of the end piece;
- and
- wherein the portion of the end piece covered by the composite material defines a convexly curved area of the end piece.
A shaft for the transmission of torsional loads, the shaft comprising:
- an elongated inner tube member;
- an end piece located adjacent each end of the inner tube member;
- a composite material covering the inner tube member and at least a portion of each of the end pieces;
- and
- wherein the composite material includes elongated fibers and the portions of the end pieces covered with the composite material defines a geodesic isotensoid elliptical shape derived with reference to the angle of the fibers such that, in the area of the portions of the end pieces covered by the composite material, shear loads in the composite material are transferred longitudinally along the length of the fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.