Abstract: A hub joint for supporting bearings adapted to rotatably receive a shaft. The joint includes an upper annular portion having a radially inner boundary and an upper bearing mount attached to the inner boundary of the upper annular portion. The upper bearing mount has a radially inner surface forming a conical upper bearing seat. The joint further comprises a lower bearing mount attached to and positioned below the upper bearing mount. The lower bearing mount has a radially inner surface forming a conical lower bearing seat. The joint also comprises a lower annular portion having a radially inner boundary attached to the lower bearing mount.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a damage tolerant shaft is provided in which a plurality of lobes are initially formed and are then positioned relative to one another to define an annular body and a plurality of ribs extending within the annular body. The plurality of lobes are formed of a plurality of reinforcing fibers extending at least partially about a respective lobe. Once the lobes have been positioned relative to one another, interstices between portions of adjacent lobes may be filled. Additionally, the plurality of lobes may be surrounded by an outer layer, also formed of reinforcing fibers extending at least partially about the plurality of lobes. The plurality of lobes may be impregnated with resin and cured, either prior to being positioned relative to one another or thereafter.

Abstract: The damage tolerant shaft and associated method of fabricating a damage tolerant shaft provide a drive shaft that is tolerant of accidental and projectile damage to a portion of the drive shaft. The damage tolerant drive shaft is designed with internal ribs or lobes, such that a closed portion of the drive shaft will likely remain after the drive shaft is partially damaged. Thus, the damage tolerant drive shaft is able to continue proper operation after being partially damaged because the closed portion of the shaft creates a closed path around which the internal shear stresses that correspond to the required torque loads flow. In addition, the damage tolerant shaft and associated method provide damage tolerance without increasing the radius, wall thickness and/or weight of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The damage tolerant shaft and associated method of fabricating a damage tolerant shaft provide a drive shaft that is tolerant of accidental and projectile damage to a portion of the drive shaft. The damage tolerant drive shaft is designed with internal ribs or lobes, such that a closed portion of the drive shaft will likely remain after the drive shaft is partially damaged. Thus, the damage tolerant drive shaft is able to continue proper operation after being partially damaged because the closed portion of the shaft creates a closed path around which the internal shear stresses that correspond to the required torque loads flow. In addition, the damage tolerant shaft and associated method provide damage tolerance without increasing the radius, wall thickness and/or weight of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The damage tolerant shaft and associated method of fabricating a damage tolerant shaft provide a drive shaft that is tolerant of accidental and projectile damage to a portion of the drive shaft. The damage tolerant drive shaft is designed with internal ribs or lobes, such that a closed portion of the drive shaft will likely remain after the drive shaft is partially damaged. Thus, the damage tolerant drive shaft is able to continue proper operation after being partially damaged because the closed portion of the shaft creates a closed path around which the internal shear stresses that correspond to the required torque loads flow. In addition, the damage tolerant shaft and associated method provide damage tolerance without increasing the radius, wall thickness and/or weight of the drive shaft.