# US 2018/0023631 A1 · Flexible couplings for mechanical power transmissions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023631 A1 - Document ID: US20180023631A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/214,152 - Filed: 2016-07-19 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-19 - Assignees: Goodrich Corporation - Applicants: Goodrich Corporation - Inventors: Jeffrey Mathis; Raghu Iyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023631A1 ## CPC - F16D 3/72: with axially-spaced attachments to the coupling parts (F16D3/56 takes precedence) - B21D 39/04: of tubes with tubes; of tubes with rods {(crimped pipe joints as such F16L13/14)} - F16D 3/06: specially adapted to allow axial displacement - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A flexible coupling includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first end and a second end. A member is fixed to the first end of the flexible diaphragm body. A splined member is fixed to the second end of the flexible diaphragm body. The splined member is configured to shift relative to a rotatable member rotatably fixed thereto in response to axial displacement of rotatable members interconnected by the flexible coupling. The ratio of inner diameter to the outer diameter is selected to allow for packaging the flexible coupling in a confined space. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flexible coupling, comprising: a flexible diaphragm body having a first end and a second end; a member fixed to the first end of the flexible diaphragm body; and a splined member fixed to the second end of the flexible diaphragm body, wherein the splined member is configured to axially shift relative to a first rotatable member rotatably fixed to the splined member in response to axial displacement of the first rotatable member relative to a second rotatable member interconnected to the first rotatable member by the flexible coupling while transmitting torque between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the member comprises a flange. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling has an open through-bore extending continuously between opposed ends of the flexible diaphragm body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling has an open through-bore extending continuously between opposite ends of the flexible diaphragm body and the member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling has an open through-bore extending continuously between opposite ends of the flexible diaphragm body and the splined member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling has an open through-bore extending continuously between opposite ends of the splined member and the member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the splined member defines a flange extending thereabout and arranged axially between a spline structure of the splined member and the flexible diaphragm body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling is frictionless. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm body has an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the splined member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm body has an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm body has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, the outer diameter being greater than about 4.5 times the inner diameter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm body comprises a plurality of diaphragm disks spaced between the member and the splined member, a first of the plurality of diaphragm disks and a second of the plurality of diaphragm fixed to one another at their outer peripheries. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The flexible coupling as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm body comprises a plurality of diaphragm disks spaced between the member and the splined member, a first of the plurality of diaphragm disks and a second of the plurality of diaphragm fixed to one another at their inner peripheries. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A mechanical power transmission, comprising: a flexible coupling as recited in claim 1; a first rotatable member rotatably and axially fixed to the member; and a second rotatable member rotatably fixed and axially free relative to the splined member, the splined member having a first axial offset relative to the second rotatable member and a second axial offset relative to the second rotatable member, the second axial offset being greater than the first axial offset. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The mechanical power transmission as recited in claim 14, wherein the flexible coupling has an open through-bore extending continuously between opposed ends of the flexible diaphragm body, wherein the flexible diaphragm body has an outer diameter that is less than about 4.5 times an inner diameter of the flexible diaphragm body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The mechanical power transmission as recited in claim 14, wherein the flexible coupling wherein the flexible coupling has an open through-bore extending continuously between opposite ends of the flexible diaphragm body and the member, wherein the flexible diaphragm body has an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The mechanical power transmission as recited in claim 14, wherein the flexible coupling has an open through-bore extending continuously between opposite ends of the flexible diaphragm body and the splined member, wherein the flexible diaphragm body has an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the splined member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The mechanical power transmission as recited in claim 14, further comprising a flight control surface operably connected to the flexible coupling through the second rotatable member. ### Claim 19 A method of transmitting torque through a flexible coupling, comprising: applying an axial force component to a flexible coupling by changing axial offset between rotatable members interconnected by the flexible coupling; and reducing one or more of the axial force component and cyclic equivalent stress born by a diaphragm disk body of the flexible coupling by axially shifting an end of the flexible coupling relative to one of the interconnected rotatable members.