Curtiss Wright Flight Systems, Inc.

Gary S Ruschke

Edward A Mayer

Bradley C Litz

Desi J Fulenta

Richard S Smarz

A joint assembly is provide between a machine element gear and a shaft or between two shafts. The joint is brought about by forming a predetermined configured surface on the exterior of the machine element and forming a similar configuration of the same general dimensions on a raised surface on the shaft. The shaft is initially inserted into the machine element in a light force fit so that the similar predetermined configurations on the machine element and the raised surface of the shaft are in alignment. A metal cylindrical torque ring is positioned over and surrounding the two mating and abutting predetermined surfaces. By the process of magneforming, the cylindrical torque ring is deformed inwardly to be tightly pressed against the predetermined surfaces, thereby spanning the exterior of those surfaces and providing a tight joint between the machine element and the shaft. The machine element may be a variety of elements, including, but not limited to, a gear, a sprocket, a cam or a pulley or may even be the joining of two shafts.

Machine element/assembly and magneform joint

A threaded joint assembly is provided comprising a first metallic workpiece having an internally threaded cylindrical opening, and a second metallic workpiece having an externally threaded cylindrical surface which is threadingly engaged with the internally threaded opening of the first workpiece. The interthreaded joint between the first and second workpieces are electromagnetically deformed into a permanent interference fit. In consequence of the magneforming process, individual threads at the joint are slightly flattened and squeezed together tip to root to provide a high axial and radial pre-load in the joint. Preferably at least the portions of the first and second workpieces defining the joint are hollow cylinders, and preferably the threads of the joint are tip relieved.

Threaded joint construction and rod assembly incorporating same

An asymmetry/overspeed brake unit designed to stop the rotation of a control surface and its attending drive set and attachment hardware in response to a mechanical overspeed condition or an electrical signal from a flight control computer. The asymmetry/overspeed brake unit comprising a brake housing having a rotatable main shaft running axially therethrough and a locking mechanism, a braking mechanism, a mechanical trip mechanism, and an electrical trip mechanism, all contained within the brake housing. The asymmetry/overspeed brake unit further comprising a mechanical reset mechanism and a trip indication mechanism, both contained within the brake housing.

Asymmetry/overspeed brake unit

A torque transmission shaft assembly for connecting a drive shaft and driven shaft which are mutually spaced less than the length of the assembly. The assembly includes a rigid elongated hollow rod member having a body portion and first and second open end portions. Each end portion is adapted to receive either the drive or driven shafts, and is provided with internal involute splines for mating with corresponding external splines on the shafts to be connected by the assembly. The first end portion has an axially displaceable stop member and a biasing spring compressible by displacement of the stop member away from the open first end, for biasing the stop member against the shaft received in the first end portion. The second end portion has a rigid stop at the end of its internal splines, for abutting against the end of the shaft receivable therein. By virtue of such construction, one of the shafts to be connected may be received into the first end portion of the assembly where it abuts against the displaceable stop member and compresses same while the other shaft is received into the second end portion. The compression of the biasing spring is thereupon relaxed to complete the connection of the shafts.

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Edison, NJ, United States of America

Gary S Ruschke