Abstract: An end fitting for use in a vehicular drive shaft assembly includes a body having a cylindrical sleeve portion extending therefrom. The sleeve portion of the end fitting has a plurality of recessed areas formed therein which extend longitudinally from a first end of the sleeve portion to a second end thereof. The recessed areas may be defined by planar surfaces which intersect the sleeve portion of the end fitting at a slight angle relative to the axis of rotation thereof. Each of the recessed areas has a cross sectional shape defined by a radial depth and a chordal width. The cross sectional shapes of the recessed areas vary along the lengths thereof. Preferably, the radial depths and the chordal widths are at minimum values adjacent the first end of the sleeve portion of the end fitting and are at maximum values adjacent the second end of the sleeve portion.

Abstract: A method of making a tube yoke for a drive line assembly is provided. The tube yoke is a unitary element and has a tube seat at one end for mating with a driveshaft tube, and lug ears at the other end for connecting with a universal joint assembly. The method includes forging a body of metal into a net shape body of the tube yoke with a single die-punching stroke, and subjecting the tube seat of the net shape body to a draw and iron operation to form the tube seat into its final pre-assembly form and shape, having a tube seat at one end and lug ears at the other end without machining of the tube seat. The lug ears are machined to enable connection with the universal joint assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical linking device connects two elements. The device includes resin-coated fibers wound round a principal axis and forming a loop around at least one hole having an axis substantially orthogonal to the principal axis. The device is made using a process for manufacturing a mechanical part through filament winding around a spindle brought into rotation about an axis. Some of the windings use the axis of rotation as the axis and other windings are about a winding axis different from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A structure for connecting an end fitting formed from a metallic material to a hollow cylindrical drive shaft tube formed from a composite material is disclosed. The drive shaft tube has an open end and an inner cylindrical surface. The end fitting includes a cylindrical sleeve portion having an outer circumferential surface which is formed having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. An adhesive material, such as epoxy, is applied either to the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve or to the inner cylindrical surface of the bore of the drive shaft. Then, the sleeve portion of the end fitting is inserted within the drive shaft tube, with the outer surface of the sleeve portion engaging the inner cylindrical surface of the drive shaft tube in a light press relationship. The adhesive material flows into the channels between the sleeve portion of the end fitting and the inner cylindrical surface of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A driving force transmitting device for transmitting driving force from a driving member to a driven member incorporates a wired cable operatively connected with each of the driving member and the driven member, wherein the wired cable rotated by the driving member drives the driven member, an outer tube through which the wired cable is fitted, and supporting tubes fitted in the outer tube and in frictional engagement with the wired cable. The supporting tubes support the wired cable when the wired cable is rotated. An inner tube receives the wired cable therein with a clearance defined between the inner tube and the wired cable. The inner tube is positioned within the outer tube and between the supporting tubes.

Abstract: The tubular element is of the type comprising a tube which is composed of a synthetic material reinforced with fibers and has at least one end provided with a metal terminal member having a portion received inside the end portion of the tube. According to the invention, the outer cylindrical surface of the portion of the terminal member is stepped and has a first section whose outside diameter is greater than the inside diameter of a first section of the end portion of the tube in which it is received, and a second section whose outside diameter is reduced and less than or equal to the inside diameter of a second section of the end portion of the tube. The second section, in the assembled state of the tube and terminal member, extends axially in facing relation to the second section of the stepped surface of the portion of the terminal member.

Abstract: A coupling for the drive shaft of prophy angles includes an upper drive shaft with a finger-type clutch, and a lower drive shaft having a main drive shaft with a clutch receptacle, and having a drive shaft clamp. The main drive shaft has an expansion slot extending from side to side through the center of the main drive shaft and substantially along the length of the clutch receptacle. The drive shaft clamp also has an expansion slot extending from side to side through the center and substantially along the length of the drive shaft clamp. The drive shaft clamp fits over the clutch receptacle end of the main drive shaft with the expansion slots oriented perpendicular to each other allowing the finger-type clutch of the upper drive shaft assembly to be pressure fitted into the clutch receptacle.

Abstract: The propeller shaft arrangement which connects a transmission with a differential gear of a vehicle includes a first propeller shaft segment connected to the transmission at one end thereof and a second propeller shaft segment connected to the differential gear at one end thereof. The first and second propeller shaft segments are made of aluminum. The other end of the second propeller shaft segment is connected with one end of a steel center bearing via art universal joint. Serrations are formed at the other end of the center bearing and at the other end of the first propeller shaft segment such that the serrations of the center bearing are engaged with those of the first propeller shaft segment and a locking nut is screwed down over the engaging serrations to join the first propeller shaft segment with the center bearing.

Abstract: The flexible shaft suitable for technical and surgical endoscopes consists at least partly of circular braiding of webs interwoven with one another. A particularly stable and torsion-resistant shaft also having low wall thickness is produced in that weaving of the webs formed by the flat wires is single-braided, and in that the circular braiding is machined by hammering, particularly in the region of the crisscrosses of the flat wires.

Abstract: In an electronic position encoder (or other panel control) of the type having a shaft-retracted position for storage and a shaft-extended position for adjustment, an anti-backlash coupling substantially eliminates backlash between a rotor and a shaft. The anti-backlash coupling includes a first wedge member fixedly coupled to the shaft and a second wedge member fixedly coupled to the rotor. The second wedge member is adapted to mate with the first wedge member when the shaft is in the extended position.

Abstract: A tubular shaft comprises a torque-transmitting tubular structure compris at least one torque-transmitting shell, which has elastic properties oriented along at least one helical line. To permit the tubular shaft to be used as an effective vibration damper, the shell surrounds a pumping chamber, which is adapted to contain a damping liquid and communicates through at least one constricted passage with a reservoir for damping liquid.

Abstract: A method of forming a coupling or connecting a composite drive shaft to an annular member comprising the steps of locating the shaft over the member and injecting adhesive through holes in the shaft to bond the shaft to the member.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced composite shaft with yoke member of a universal joint (8) having a tubular portion (10) integrally connected with the yoke portion (12). The yoke portion (12) has a pair of opposed axially extending arms (20) which extend beyond the tubular portion (10). The yoke arms (20) contain diametrically opposed holes (22) centrally located and near the end of each arm (20). A portion of the braided fiber reinforcement extends continuously around the tubular portion (10), into the axially extending arms, around the respective holes (22) and back around the tubular portion (10).

Abstract: The invention has a driveshaft (6, 8a, 8b and 10), especially used in the drive line of a motor vehicle (1), with a tubular shaft which has a central tube region (R.sub.m) and end pieces (11 and 12) formed on both ends. For optimizing the torsional characteristics of the driveshaft (6, 8a, 8b and 10), it includes at least one mass element (13) which is formed by reducing the inner diameter (D.sub.i) and/or increasing the outer diameter (D.sub.a) of the shaft wall. These additional mass elements (13) may be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically in the axial direction of the driveshaft (6, 8a, 8b and 10). If the additional mass elements are arranged asymmetrically, the center of gravity is displaced, thereby optimizing the driveshaft 6, 8a, 8b and 10) of certain vehicle types with respect of its natural frequencies.

Abstract: A method of bonding metallic structures to thermoplastic composite structures is described. Various construction details have been developed which provide a method for producing a bond of sufficient strength to transmit rotational and axial loads between the metallic and thermoplastic composite structures. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of knurling a mating surface of the metallic structure, coating the mating surface with a thermoplastic material to produce a bonding surface, and consolidating the bonding surface to the thermoplastic composite structure.

Abstract: A method to bond metallic structures to thermoset composite structures is described. Various construction details have been developed which provide a method for producing a bond of sufficient strength to transmit torsional and axial loads between the metallic and thermoset composite structures. In one embodiment, the method includes steps to form a bonding surface on a metallic structure by knurling a mating surface of the metallic structure and molding a thermoplastic material over the knurled surface. Further, the method includes steps to form a bonding surface on a thermoset composite structure by partially embedding a layer of dry fiber into a thermoplastic cone, coating the exposed dry fiber with thermoset resin, and curing the coated dry fibers into the thermoset composite structure. The final step is to fuse the two bonding surfaces by applying heat sufficient to melt the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A driveshaft using the longitudinal drive line of a motor vehicle has a tubular shaft with end portions and attachment elements which improve energy absorption in the event of a collision. The shaft is adapted to the crash characteristics of the vehicle in question with energy absorption by the shaft being provided in those cases where the energy absorption by the vehicle has reached a minimum value and after a predetermined vehicle deformation travel wherein the level of energy absorption by the tubular shaft is subject to change.

Abstract: A lightweight drive shaft, such as for use as an automotive vehicle engine drive shaft for transmitting engine power, has an elongated extruded tube of uniform external diameter. The tube is formed with a center section and integral opposite end sections which are extruded integrally so as to have similar metallurgical structures. The center section is longer than the end sections. The center section has a thin wall and the end sections each have thick walls of the same thickness, with the thin walls being roughly less than half or about one half the thickness of the thick walls. Also, a coupling formation is formed on the exterior of the thick wall in sections to connect the shaft to a power supply and power take off within a power transmission system.

Abstract: A coupling member for incorporation in a torque-transmitting drive train comprises a tube and at least one flange at at least one end of the tube. The tube and flange consist of fiber-reinforced plastic. In order to permit a simpler manufacture and an improved selection of strength and load-carrying properties in adaptation to different conditions of use, the tube and the flange are separately prefabricated and are adhesively joined to and by a sleeve.

Abstract: A driveshaft for a motor vehicle is designed to be asymmetrical, with the center of symmetry of the central tube region or center of gravity of inertia being located outside the tubular shaft center. Thus, it is possible to obtain a driveshaft whose cross sectional area is distributed in such a way that it is functionally optimized and which meets the respective strength requirements, and noise reduction is achieved by displacing the natural resonance frequency of the driveshaft into a region of minimum external excitation.

Abstract: A dual inner central drive shaft in a gas turbine engine includes rearward and forward shaft portions which overlap and interengage with one another. The rearward shaft portion includes an elongated cylindrical inner middle portion and a rear conical end portion, whereas the forward shaft portion includes an elongated cylindrical outer middle portion and a front conical end portion. The respective opposite ends of the inner and outer middle portions of the rearward and forward shaft portions have intermeshing rear and front sets of radially projecting and circumferentially spaced splines which extend parallel to the shaft axis so as to rigidly secure the outer and inner middle portions of the rearward and forward shaft portions together for concurrent rotary motion of the rearward and forward shaft portions in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

Abstract: A first hollow titanium MMC driveshaft portion is diffusion bonded to a third portion which in turn is fastened to a second superalloy portion via circumferentially positioned pins which are tightly fitted within aligned holed formed in the second and third driveshaft portions. The first, second and third portions are concentric with respect to the driveshaft centerline, and the pins are retained by means of a concentric retaining cylinder.

Abstract: A driveshaft for a motor vehicle has an approximately constant wall thickness and a changing outer diameter which extends analogously to the amplitude of the second basic vibration of the natural bending frequency. In this way it is possible to achieve a distribution of cross-sectional area which is functionally optimized and meets the respective strength requirements. At the same time, torsional stiffness values may be set as required and natural resonance frequency values may be varied. With help of this design it is possible to move the natural resonance frequency of the tubular shaft into a speed range of minimum external excitation energy.

Abstract: A shaft assembly is assembled by press-fitting a tube of fiber-synthetic material and a rigid connection structure which includes an outer sleeve and an inner connecting member. The outer sleeve has axially extending inward projections which engage the tube at one end of the sleeve and the inner connecting member at the other end of the sleeve. This permits the sleeve and the inward projections therein to be made in a simpler manner.

Abstract: A fluid transfer structure for a transmission has a tube disposed in a central bore of a shaft. The shaft and the tube cooperate to provide a feed passage, central of the tube, and a substantially annular lube passage formed between the tube and the central bore. The tube and shaft have cooperating structures that provide proper alignment of the tube in the central bore. A plurality of radial passages are formed in the shaft in communication with the central bore. At least one of the radial passages is in communication with the feed passage which is sealed from fluid communication with the annular lube passage. The remaining radial passages are in limited fluid communication with the annular lube passage. The tube has radially outwardly extending portions aligned with respective ones of the radial passages and cooperate therewith to form flow restriction structures. The extending portions are not fully annular such that free fluid flow is possible along the length of the annular passage.

Abstract: A hollow composite member for accommodating torques and/or tensile, compressive or bending forces in the case of which a circumferentially uniform tensile prestress is generated in an outer material layer essentially along its entire axial length by inner supporting members accommodating pressure in the radial direction, and where, especially in the outer material layer a compressive prestress which is either uniform or increased towards the center is prevailing as a result of inner supporting members accommodating tension in the axial direction.

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 coaxial drive shaft system is provided with an overload shearable coupling for driving multiple outputs from a single input. A pair of coaxial, telescoped drive shafts are provided as independent outputs to a pair of driven devices. A singular input shaft is coupled to the drive shafts by a gearbox for simultaneously rotating the drive shafts. A shear section is formed in one of the drive shafts for rupturing the one drive shaft in response to an overload condition thereon, while the other coaxial, telescoped drive shaft continues to be rotated by the singular input shaft.

Abstract: An assembly for torque transmission, comprising a tube of fiber-reinforced plastics material and a metal spigot fitting within an end portion thereof, wherein the end portion of the tube in its free state has an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the spigot and has been pressed axially onto the spigot to produce a frictional connection. The end portion of the tube may be reinforced by being wound with fibres at a greater angle than the rest of the tube.

Abstract: A composite elongate shaft member useful in transmitting torque between axially spaced couplings rotatable about axes that may be misaligned. The member includes a series of bags of overlapped anisotropic layers each comprising parallel filaments bonded together in a matrix. The filaments in each layer pair are disposed at a predetermined lay angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft member with the lay angles in adjacent layers of each pair being substantially equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. A desirable ratio of torsional stiffness to bending stiffness is provided while minimizing bending stresses in the member by disposing the filaments at a predetermined angle which is selected in relation to the stiffness of the matrix material to cause the strain in the circumferential direction of the member to be substantially equal to the strain in the radial direction when the member is subjected to axial strain.

Abstract: A shaft is coupled to a circumjacent gear substantially midway between the bearings at each side of the gear. This substantially equalizes the vertical loading on the gear bearings--eliminating the tilt or cant in the gear which would otherwise result, and minimizing abnormal tooth wear in the gearing system. An example of the present invention is a long driving shaft such as the drive shaft of a propeller in a large ship.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced resin drive shaft for use in a vehicle and having improved resistance to torsional buckling. The drive shaft includes a tubular member composed of a thermosetting resin reinforced with fibrous material which consists of a mixture of substantially continuous glass and graphite fibers. A rib is integrally connected to the tubular member and extends radially from the member. The rib extends only a portion of the length of the member and has a thickness sufficient to substantially increase the resistance of the tubular member to torsional buckling.

Abstract: A high specific modulus shaft for use in a dynamic assembly such as a gas turbine engine is constructed having a metal outer tubular shaft to transmit the torque and an interior shaft constructed of a metal and high modulus filament composite material bonded to the inner diameter of the outer shaft. The outer shaft may be constructed of steel or titanium or superalloy such as Inconel 718. The inner shaft may be constructed of an aluminum matrix in which multiple boron filaments are embedded in axial alignment or of a titanium matrix in which boron filaments coated with silicon carbide or boron carbide are similarly embedded.

Abstract: A tubular transmission shaft for use as a drive shaft which transmits rotation from an engine to an axle of driving wheels of an automobile, including a tubular member having a smaller diameter at the middle portion thereof and larger diameter at both ends thereof and solid shaft members which are inserted and pressure tightened in both ends of the tubular member.

Abstract: A hollow shaft composed of a pair of trough-shaped shaft halves (15A) is employed as a speed-change shaft (15) for a key-shift transmission. Each of the shaft halves includes at both sides of an arched inner surface a pair of axially extending flattened end surfaces one of which has thereon an axially elongated projection (19) and the other of which has therein an axially elongated recess (20). The shaft halves are engaged to each other co-rotatably by fitting the projections of the respective shaft halves into the recesses of the other respective shaft halves. The projections and recesses are sized such that a pair of elongated axial grooves (21) are formed in an outer surface of the change shaft. A pair of shift keys (18) are disposed within such axial grooves for coupling speed-change gears (16F.sub.1 -16F.sub.5) selectively to the change shaft.

Abstract: A composite tubular structure, such as a drive shaft, composed of a tubular member formed of fiber reinforced resin and having metal yokes secured to the ends of the tubular member. Each yoke includes a cylindrical sleeve portion bonded in lapping relation to the respective end of the tubular member. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs or bosses are formed on each sleeve portion and are received in slots provided in the respective end of the tubular member. Windings of a fibrous material impregnated with a thermosetting resin can be applied over the joint between the tubular member and each sleeve portion. With this construction the torsional load is transmitted through the ribs and slots rather than through an adhesive bonded interface between the members.

Abstract: A drive shaft of hollow form and of fibre-reinforced plastics material, has an end provided with an integral radially inwardly extending flange and one or more connecting members for effecting torque transmission with such flange. The flange may have a single central bush or the like, or a number of circumferentially distributed bushes, bolts or pins for torque transmission. Further a method of manufacturing such a drive shaft by fibre winding includes chordal winding of fibres to provide the flange, and a device for forming the flange during the winding process.

Abstract: A transmission system for transmitting essential torque between two locations whose relative positions can change within certain limits, such as between the gearbox and rear axle of an automobile. The system includes a flexible shaft of fibre-reinforced plastics material which connects said locations. The two ends of the shaft are rigidly attached at said locations and the shaft has a sufficiently low Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction and low flexural stiffness to enable positional changes between said locations to be taken up by bending of the shaft. To this end the shaft has the form of a coreless tubular shaft in which the tubular wall comprises a substantially homogenous material with the fibres distributed substantially uniformly over the whole cross-section. The fibres are suitably carbon fibres, forming an angle to the longitudinal direction of the shaft of between .+-.40.degree. and .+-.50.degree., preferably between .+-.43.degree. and .+-.47.degree..

Abstract: A power transmitting shaft for a torque transmission assembly is formed with a tubular cross section having bores arranged radially in the tube wall at at least one tube end and with bushes inserted into the bores. The bushes are provided with recesses for receiving joint journals or the like whose longitudinal axis is arranged radially in the tube for the purpose of introducing a torque, with tangential and radial forces occurring at the transmitting face of the tube wall. The bushes are designed as a truncated cone which is tapered towards the tube interior and with a cone angle .alpha. selected to be such that the radial component of the forces to be transmitted at the transmitting face is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A method of producing propeller shafts for jet-propelled small-sized boats comprises the steps of preparing a main shaft in the form of a hollow round bar, which is a finished part and a pair of auxiliary shafts shorter in length than the main shaft, in the form of solid round bars, which are roughly shaped parts, connecting and integrating the pair of auxiliary shafts with the opposite cut ends of the main shaft by the friction welding process utilizing heat of friction produced by relative pressurized rubbing movement between the parts, and, with the main shaft, which is a finished part, used as a standard, machining the surfaces of the auxiliary shafts, which are roughly shaped parts, to form mount surfaces for fitting thereon such parts as oils seals, bearings, and a propeller.

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: A transmission includes two constant-speed joints interconnected by a tubular shaft. The tubular shaft is made from a steel for thermochemical treatment and is welded at at least one of its ends to an element of an adjacent constant-speed joint before the thermochemical treatment of the latter. The two elements are subjected after their assembly to the same cementation or carbonitriding treatment.

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: There is disclosed a transmission structure for an agricultural tractor wherein a clutch housing and a gear transmission case are interconnected by a transmission housing formed of sheet metal. The transmission housing contains an inner and outer double shaft construction comprising a propelling system drive shaft and a power takeoff system drive shaft. These drive shafts are connected to corresponding input shafts extending from the gear transmission case by means of a ball coupling and a flange type elastic coupling, respectively.

Abstract: An improved telescoping torque transmitting connection and a method for making tubes used in the formation of this connection are disclosed. The tubes are formed with inwardly extending lobes and the lobes are formed so that the wall thickness of the tube in their vicinity is at least as great as it is in the remainder of the tube, whereby the strength of the tube is not reduced by formation of the lobes. The lobes are formed with substantially flat flanks for interaction with the lobes of the mating tube, whereby the contact between the two tubes is made at a plurality of planar surfaces rather than along a plurality of lines so that the end loading developed when the tubes are telescoped with respect to one another under load is not excessive.

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 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.