The present invention generally relates to drive shafts for transferring torque from one mechanism to another and, more particularly, to drive shafts adapted for use between with a plurality of different mechanisms.
Aircraft typically include several drive mechanisms that are coupled to driven mechanisms via drive shafts. The drive mechanisms are used to supply a drive torque to drive one or more driven mechanisms. These mechanisms, which may include, for example, a motor (e.g., a drive mechanism) and a gearbox (e.g., a driven mechanism), are preferably coupled in such a way as to facilitate mechanism maintenance and/or replacement. As such, these mechanisms are many times referred to as line replaceable units (LRUs).
During the lifetime of an aircraft, the designs of LRUs often evolve into improved or higher capacity models. As a result, it is oftentimes desirable to replace one or more LRUs in an aircraft. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to couple an older model LRU to a newer model LRU, or to couple to newer model LRUs together. In many instances this difficulty resides in the fact that different sized or configured drive shafts may be needed to transfer the drive torque from the drive mechanism LRU to the driven mechanism LRU. This difficulty can lead to increased overall LRU replacement costs.
Hence, there is a need for a device that allows for the ready replacement and coupling of older and newer model drive mechanism LRUs and older and newer model driven mechanism LRUs. The present invention addresses at least this need.
In one embodiment, and by way of example only, a drive shaft configured to be disposed between a drive mechanism and a plurality of driven mechanisms and to transfer a drive torque generated by the drive mechanism to one of the plurality of driven mechanisms includes a first shaft section and a second shaft section. The first shaft section has a first outer diameter, and is dimensioned to be disposed within the drive mechanism, within one of the plurality of driven mechanisms, or simultaneously within the drive mechanism and one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The first shaft section is also configured to at least selectively engage, and thereby at least selectively receive the drive torque generated in, the drive mechanism. The second shaft section is coupled to the first shaft section and has a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. The second shaft section is dimensioned to be disposed within either the drive mechanism or one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. When the first shaft section is simultaneously disposed in both the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism, the first shaft section simultaneously engages the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism, and transfers the drive torque to the driven mechanism. When the first shaft section is not disposed in the driven mechanism, the second shaft section engages, and transfers the drive torque to, the driven mechanism.
In another embodiment, a drive shaft configured to be disposed between a drive mechanism and a plurality of driven mechanisms and to transfer a drive torque generated by the drive mechanism to one of the plurality of driven mechanisms includes a first shaft section, a second shaft section, a quill shaft passageway, and a quill shaft. The first shaft section has a first outer diameter and an end surface that defines a drive shaft first end. The first shaft section is dimensioned to be disposed within the drive mechanism or simultaneously within the drive mechanism and one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The first shaft section is also configured to at least selectively engage, and thereby at least selectively receive the drive torque generated in, the drive mechanism. The second shaft section is coupled to the first shaft section and has a second outer diameter and an end surface that defines a drive shaft second end. The second outer diameter is less than the first outer diameter, and the second shaft section is dimensioned to be disposed within either the drive mechanism or one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The quill shaft passageway extends longitudinally through the drive shaft between the first and second shaft ends. The quill shaft is disposed within the quill shaft passageway and extends from the drive shaft first and second ends. When the first shaft section is simultaneously disposed in both the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism, the first shaft section simultaneously engages the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism, and transfers the drive torque to the driven mechanism. When the first shaft section is not disposed in the driven mechanism, the second shaft section engages, and transfers the drive torque to, the driven mechanism.
In yet another embodiment, a drive shaft configured to be disposed between a drive mechanism and a plurality of driven mechanisms and to transfer a drive torque generated by the drive mechanism to one of the plurality of driven mechanisms includes a first shaft section, a shaft engagement groove, and a second shaft section. The first shaft section has a first outer diameter and an outer peripheral surface. The first shaft section is dimensioned to be disposed within the drive mechanism or simultaneously within the drive mechanism and one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The first shaft section is also configured to at least selectively engage, and thereby at least selectively receive the drive torque generated in, the drive mechanism. The shaft engagement groove is formed in at least a portion of the first shaft section outer peripheral surface. The second shaft section is coupled to the first shaft section and has a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. The second shaft section is dimensioned to be disposed within either the drive mechanism or one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. When the first shaft section is simultaneously disposed in both the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism, the first shaft section simultaneously engages the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism, and transfers the drive torque to the driven mechanism. When the first shaft section is not disposed in the driven mechanism, the second shaft section engages, and transfers the drive torque to, the driven mechanism.
In still another embodiment, a drive shaft configured to be disposed between a drive mechanism and a plurality of driven mechanisms and to transfer a drive torque generated by the drive mechanism to one of the plurality of driven mechanisms includes a first shaft section, a second shaft section, and an intermediate shaft section. The first shaft section has a first outer diameter, and is dimensioned to be disposed within the drive mechanism or one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The second shaft section is coupled to the first shaft section and has a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. The second shaft section is dimensioned to be disposed within either the drive mechanism or one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The intermediate shaft section is disposed between, and is coupled to, the first and second shaft sections. The intermediate section has a third outer diameter that is greater than the first and second outer diameters, and is configured to engage, and thereby receive the drive torque generated in, the drive mechanism. The intermediate shaft section, when engaging the drive mechanism, transfers the drive torque to the driven mechanism via either the first shaft section or the second shaft section.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
Turning to
No matter the specific physical implementation of the drive mechanism 102 and the driven mechanism 104, the drive torque that is generated by the drive mechanism 102 is transferred to the driven mechanism 104 via the drive shaft 106. The drive shaft 106 is preferably configured as a removable and replaceable device. Thus, as
The drive mechanism 102 and the driven mechanism 104 are both preferably configured as line replaceable units (LRUs). Thus, the drive mechanism 102 may be replaced by another drive mechanism 102, and the driven mechanism 104 may be replaced by another driven mechanism 104. However, the replacement drive mechanism 102 or driven mechanism 104 may have, for example, a drive shaft interface 108 or 112 that differs from that of the original mechanism 102, 104. To accommodate this potentiality, the drive shaft 106 is configured such that it may be used with a plurality of different mechanisms 102, 104. Various embodiments for implementing this configuration will now be described.
With reference first to
The second shaft section 204 is coupled to the first shaft section 202 and has a second outer diameter (d2) and an end surface 212 that defines a drive shaft second end. As may be readily apparent from
The drive shaft 106 additionally includes an inner surface 214 that defines a quill shaft passageway 216. The quill shaft passageway 216 extends longitudinally through the drive shaft 106 between the first and second shaft ends 208, 212. In the embodiment depicted in
The quill shaft 206 is disposed within the quill shaft passageway 216 and extends from the drive shaft first and second ends 208, 212. The quill shaft 206 includes a first end 224 and a second end 226 In the depicted embodiment, the quill shaft diameter is increased at the first end 224, and a stop 228 extends radially from the second end 226. The stop 228 may be formed integrally on the quill shaft second end 226 or may be formed separately and then coupled to the quill shaft second end 226. It will additionally be appreciated that the quill shaft first end 224 may be alternatively configured with an integrally formed, or separately formed and coupled, device. No matter how the quill shaft ends 224, 226 are specifically implemented, each is configured such that once the quill shaft 206 is disposed within the quill shaft passageway 216, it cannot be readily removed. Moreover, the quill shaft first end 224 is configured, when the drive shaft 106 is installed between the drive mechanism 102 and the driven mechanism 104, to engage a portion of the drive mechanism 102.
As was noted above, a spring 222 is disposed within the quill shaft passageway first section 218-1. The spring 222, which is preferably implemented using a suitable coil spring, includes a first end 232 and a second end 234. When the drive shaft 106 is installed between the drive mechanism 102 and the driven mechanism 104, the spring first end 232 engages the quill shaft inner surface 214, and the spring second end 234 engages a portion of the drive mechanism 102.
When the above-described drive shaft 106 is installed in the drive mechanism 102/driven mechanism 104 configuration depicted in
Turning now to
The major difference of the drive shaft 106 depicted in
When the above-described drive shaft 106 is installed in the drive mechanism 102/driven mechanism 104 configuration depicted in
Turning finally to
In each of the embodiments described above, the first and second shaft sections are depicted with splined configurations, and the intermediate shaft section is depicted with a hex configuration. It will be appreciated that this is merely exemplary, and that each of these shaft sections could be alternately configured, albeit with each having different sizes. No matter the specific configuration of the shaft sections, the drive shaft is configured to be used with a plurality of drive mechanism/driven mechanism combinations.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.