The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 26, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2003
Sherman S. Lin, North Richland Hills, TX (US);
Scott D. Poster, Arlington, TX (US);
Sherman S. Lin, North Richland Hills, TX (US);
Scott D. Poster, Arlington, TX (US);
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, TX (US);
Abstract
A composite drive shaft in which the end adapters are captured in the composite material portion during the process of manufacturing of the composite drive shaft assembly is disclosed. The end adapters include lugs that protrude outward longitudinally to transmit torque, tensile, and compressive forces, and bending moments to the composite material portion and vice versa. To increase the load carrying capacity for axial force and bending moment, the end adapters may have at least one recessed circumferential groove. Before the manufacturing process, one or more bonding agents may be applied onto the interface of the end adapter to enhance the performance of engagement between the end adapters and the composite material portion. The composite material portion and end adapters are co-cured to produce a final drive shaft that requires no additional work for assembly.