Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Sundstrand Corporation

Jude C Lai

Eric W Karlen

Victor Barger

Jeffrey D Baldwin

Joseph M Bielefeldt

Ellen J Wagle

An assembly and a method for manufacturing an assembly for transmitting torque to an aircraft actuator. The assembly and method include a torque tube having a longitudinal axis and an end fitting. The ending fitting includes a connector portion and an engagement portion that is inserted into the torque tube. The engagement portion includes a first end adjacent the connector portion, a second end opposite the first end, and a coupling region between the first and second end that includes an outer coupling surface having an outer diameter and a continuous groove formed thereon. The continuous groove includes two axial grooves that extend along the outer coupling surface along the longitudinal axis and a first parallel groove that extends circumferentially about the longitudinal axis along the outer coupling surface that joins the two axial grooves.

Axial load capable torque tube assembly and manufacturing methods thereof

An offset gearbox of an aircraft has a sump for a lubricant. A heat exchanger core extends through the sump in contact with the lubricant. A fluid coolant for cooling an accessory such as an electrical power generating unit drivingly connected to the offset gearbox is circulated through the core in thermal communication but not mixed with the lubricant of the offset gearbox for cooling the lubricant. The cooling arrangement for the offset gearbox advantageously does not require a separate or dedicated heat exchanger which reduces system weight and cost. The single pump of the accessory can also be used for circulating the coolant. Increased reliability, independent oil change for maintenance and enhanced attitude performance are attained as gearbox performance does not affect power generating unit performance, and visa versa. An existing aircraft can be modified to include the offset gearbox with a minimum of modification and little additional weight and plumbing.

Cooling arrangement and method for offset gearbox

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Rockford, IL, United States of America

Jude C Lai