Fiber reinforced composite shaft with metallic connector sleeves mounted by a polygonal surface interlock
AssigneeCelanese Corporation
InventorsDerek N. Yates, John C. Presta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tubular fiber reinforced composite shaft is formed by providing a metal sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially straight surface segments on the outer periphery thereof. The sleeve is positioned upon a segment of a mandrel. Fibrous material bearing a non-solidified resinous material is applied to the mandrel and the circumferentially straight surface segments of the sleeve. The resinous material is solidified with portions thereof lying flush against the circumferentially straight surface segments to create a torsion-transmitting connection with the metal sleeve.
Claims10
A method of forming a tubular fiber reinforced composite shaft comprising the steps of:
- providing a metal sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially straight surface segments on the outer periphery thereof;
- positioning said metal sleeve upon a segment of a mandrel;
- applying fibrous material bearing a non-solidified resinous material to said mandrel and over said circumferentially straight surface segments of said sleeve;
- solidifying said resinous material with portions thereof lying flush against said circumferentially straight surface segments to create a torsion transmitting connection with said metal sleeve;
- and
- removing said mandrel.
A tubular fiber reinforced composite shaft comprising:
- a shaft body comprising a plurality of integrally bonded circumferential plies of solidified fiber reinforced resinous material;
- and
- a metal sleeve mounted in at least one end of said shaft body, said sleeve including a plurality of circumferentially straight surface segments on the outer periphery thereof;
- said fibrous material lying flush against said straight surface segments to form a torsion transmitting connection therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.