Abstract: This invention relates to a process for connecting an element to the end of a tube of composite material, wherein, at least at said end, said tube presents an annular cross-section of which the outer and inner contours are each constituted by a circular line or with interference of shapes, for example polygonal, and said element comprises a recess defined between two spaced apart coaxial prismatic or cylindrical walls, the annular section of said recess corresponding to that of said end so that the latter may be fitted in said element with interposition of an intercalated sleeve made of high-resistance fibers impregnated with resin or polymerizable elastomer. The invention is more particularly applicable to the production of torque tubes or power transmission shafts made of composite material.

Abstract: A light-weight push, pull and/or torsion rod includes a light-weight core, fittings on either end, pins protruding from the outer surface of each fitting, and a tubular strength member surrounding the core and overlapping much of the end fitting. The strength member includes a fibrous braided layer which overlaps and closely captures the protruding tips of the pins to anchor the strength member to the end fitting. In one embodiment, the end fittings are conically tapered from the side adjacent the core and flare out from the narrow end of the cone, and the braid is woven tightly around the conical portion and flared portion of each end fitting so that the strength member abuts or bears against the end fitting when the rod is exposed to tension or compression forces.

Abstract: An assembly of a drive shaft of composite, fibre reinforced resin, material and a yoke member of a Hookes universal joint, the latter comprising a sheet metal element with a spigot portion (10) and two transverse tubular portions (11) which form or receive bearing elements for the universal joint. The fibres of the shaft are wound helically on the spigot portion and circumferentially around the tubular portions of the metal element, and reinforce the latter so that it need only be of thin sheet material.

Abstract: A drive shaft in which a graphite tube has splined yokes inserted at each end. A steel ring surrounds the tube at each end to clamp the tube against the yoke.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic drive shaft comprising a pair of metal joint members, an inner plastic layer extending over the entire length of the drive shaft and holding the metal joint members in both end portions thereof, and an outer plastic layer formed on the inner layer. The inner layer comprises continuous carbon fibers helically wound at 45-75 degrees to the axis of the drive shaft, while the outer layer comprises continuous fibers such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, polyester fibers and aramide fibers helically wound at 5-40 degrees to the axis of the drive shaft. The drive shaft has a greatly increased torsional strength and damping effect. The maximum damping effect is provided when the outer layer is formed only over the joint members.

Abstract: A process for producing reinforced plastics tube for use, inter alia, as a transmission shaft wherein the tube is produced by winding on to a core reinforcing fibres preferably of carbon impregnated with a curable plastics at predetermined winding angles <35.degree. and then winding on to the reinforcing fibres at angles between .+-.80.degree. and .+-.90.degree. a peripheral winding of a material which is relatively resilient with respect to the reinforcing fibres and which has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. The tube so formed is then heat cured. Fittings are secured to the ends of the tube and the ends may be reinforced with a carbon fibre structure.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly including a universally jointed transmission shaft formed with a tubular portion and made of fiber reinforced plastic material wherein a pair of opposed axially extending arms are provided on the shaft beyond the tubular portion, the arms being provided with bores which support therein opposed trunnions of a cross member of the universal joint, the arms being connected in supporting engagement by a reinforcing member which extends diametrically therebetween, the reinforcing member comprising a generally U-shaped bracket having limbs which engage the arm portions and a body portion extending between the limbs.

Abstract: Composite turbine shaft includes a ceramic shaft and a metal shaft, both ends being butt-joined by brazing wherein a center void is provided in the ceramic shaft end so as to secure good heat insulation as well as strong junction even under the difference in thermal expansion between the ceramic shaft and the metal shaft.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly particulary suited for power transmission in motor vehicles wherein a drive shaft has a universal joint connected to at least one end thereof with a sealing boot attached in sealing engagement between the outer joint member of the universal joint and the drive shaft. The invention is particularly directed to the provision of an elastomeric cover on the outer surface of the drive shaft, the elastomeric cover extending along the shaft from the exterior of the sealing boot to within the region enclosed by the boot in order to provide an arrangement which is resistant to damage, corrosion, and wear and which may be conveniently fitted and assembled. The elastomeric cover may be provided with internal ribs to establish ventilation channels for the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A drive line joint assembly (10) has splined driving and driven members (13,20), one of which has a protuberance (36) which extends axially along a spline (16,18) thereof to insure the absence of radial tolerance for balancing purposes. In a preferred form, a forged steel spline (16) has a resilient coating (40) bonded thereto, the coating preferably of a nylon or of other material having comparable low friction quality. The resilient protuberance is an integral part of the latter low friction coating and is formed by a broaching tool after the coating material has been applied to the spline. In a preferred embodiment, the protuberance extends only 0.001 to 0.003 inch above the surface of the coating, wherein the coating has a thickness in the range of 0.007 to 0.014 inch over the steel body portion of the spline. At least three of the protuberances are preferred, each circumferentially spaced from the other.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly which consists essentially of two shaft parts both made of fiber reinforced plastic material at least one having a circumferential radially outwardly extending fold formation provided for enabling articulation of the shaft assembly with an intermediate support bearing being located between the two shaft parts, the support bearing having an inner race positioned by steps at the region of connection between the two shaft parts in such a way that the intermediate bearing forms an integral part of the shaft and is assembled so as to form a permanent connection.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly particularly for use in driving the wheels of a motor vehicle having a first universal joint and a second universal joint with an intermediate shaft interconnecting the two joints, the intermediate shaft being made of fiber reinforced plastic material and being formed integrally with a component of at least one of the universal joints.

Abstract: A coupling connection for a fiber reinforced synthetic resin pipe, especially for a driving or driven hollow shaft of a motor vehicle, wherein the fibrous synthetic resin pipe is non-rotatably connected with a coupling element arranged concentrically to the pipe. The coupling element includes peripheral teeth and is pressed onto the fiber reinforced synthetic resin pipe in such a way that the coupling element forms a shape-mating connection with the fiber reinforced synthetic resin pipe in a direction of rotation of the pipe.

Abstract: A drive shaft for motor vehicles has a tubular shaft portion of synthetic plastic resin in which fibers are embedded. Metallic end pieces are in part received in and bonded to the shaft portion; connecting elements can be connected to the parts which project outwardly from the shaft portion. A method of making this shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: This wheel hub assembly is intended for the driving set of wheels of a vehicle which may be steering wheels or otherwise. It comprises mainly a wheel flange, a transmission joint and a rolling bearing. The axial bearing surface between the flange and the inner race of the rolling bearing is limited to an annular ring of small radial dimension but of relatively large diameter. The section of the passage of the flow of heat between the flange and the race is thus substantially reduced.

Abstract: A drive shaft, particularly for motor vehicles, has a tubular shaft part of a fiber reinforced synthetic plastic material, two end pieces each associated with respective one of the end portions of the shaft and having sleeve-shaped and ring-shaped sections, and a plurality of anchoring pins arranged on the end pieces on the region between the sleeve-shaped and the ring-shaped section at circumferentially spaced locations.

Abstract: The shaft of a glandless pump which is made of sintered oxide ceramics in order to resist chemical attack is formed with a projection upon which there is mounted a metal sleeve having a bottom in order to enable a tool, such as a screwdriver, to be applied against the shaft for rotating the shaft when unblocking the pump without causing damage to the ceramic material of the shaft.

Abstract: The carbon fibre reinforced plastics tube (1) is provided at each end with a cemented-in sleeve (2) and a cemented-on sleeve (3) made of the same material and having the same anisotropy behaviour. A fitting (4) is inserted into each end of the tube to introduce a torque and is secured by bolts (5). The bolts are secured by a sleeve (6). The securing of the fittings by bolts and the adapted structure of the wall reinforcements ensure a safe introduction of torque, even into extremely anisotropic tubes.

Abstract: A drive shaft, particularly for motor vehicles, has metallic end members having facing axially inner sections of larger diameter, axially outer sections of smaller diameters and transition sections connecting the inner and outer sections. The end members are, with the exception of small axial lengths of the outer sections, embedded in and surrounded by a tubular shaft member which is constructed by winding a plurality of layers of carbon or glass-fiber roving impregnated with synthetic plastic, onto a lost mandrel and heat-hardening the synthetic plastic.