Composite Tube Bellow With Offset Holes for Compact Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite drive shafts and pipes face limitations in flexibility due to the stiffness of metallic bellows, which can lead to installation challenges in confined spaces and misalignment issues, and require additional weight and space with larger diameters or multiple bellows, which is undesirable in aerospace applications.
Innovation Solution
A composite tube design featuring a bellow with offset holes on either side, providing increased flexibility without increasing diameter or length, allowing for uniform material properties and reduced material stiffness, while maintaining torque transmission efficiency and allowing for higher operational velocities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the diameter of the bellow is increased to achieve greater flexibility, then the flexibility is improved, but the weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bellow is designed with a porous or honeycomb structure in the radial direction, creating multiple radial layers connected by radial walls. This porous architecture reduces material usage and weight while maintaining flexibility through the interconnected cellular structure that can deform during bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellow structure is segmented into multiple radial layers (first radial layer, second radial layer, etc.) separated by radial walls. This segmentation allows each layer to deform independently during flexing, providing flexibility without requiring a large overall diameter, thus reducing weight and space requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bellows are used along the drive shaft to increase articulation, then the flexibility is improved, but the axial length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bellow is divided into multiple radial layers separated by radial walls, creating segmented regions that can articulate independently. This radial segmentation provides multiple articulation points within a compact axial length, eliminating the need for multiple separate bellow components along the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing articulation by adding bellows along the axial dimension, the invention creates articulation in the radial dimension through multiple radial layers. This dimensional shift allows high articulation capability within a constrained axial length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a larger diameter bellow is used to provide flexibility, then the flexibility is improved, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The porous or honeycomb radial structure reduces the effective material volume while maintaining flexibility. The interconnected cells can deform during bending, providing flexibility without requiring a large external diameter, thus reducing space requirements in confined installations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple radial layers segmented by radial walls allow the bellow to achieve flexibility through layered deformation rather than requiring a large single-diameter structure. This segmentation enables high flexibility within a compact radial envelope, reducing the space occupied.
4Adaptability or versatility
If material stiffness is reduced to increase flexibility, then the flexibility is improved, but the strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous or honeycomb structure reduces material stiffness to enable flexibility while maintaining structural integrity through the geometric configuration of the cellular walls. The radial walls and layered structure provide load-bearing pathways that preserve strength despite reduced material density.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellow utilizes composite construction with multiple radial layers and radial walls, potentially using different materials or material configurations in different regions. This composite approach allows optimization of flexibility in certain areas while maintaining strength in load-critical regions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances flexibility and reduces material strength impact, enabling the bellow to accommodate misalignments and facilitate installation in constrained spaces with reduced weight and cost, while maintaining high critical velocities and efficient torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
each side of the bellow comprises at least one hole; wherein the at least one hole on the first side is offset in relation to the at least one hole on the second side
Data Source
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AI summary
A composite tube (2) comprising a region of greater diameter forming a bellow (4). The bellow (4) has a first side (20) and a second side (21) spaced apart in the axial direction of the tube (3). Each side of the bellow (20, 21) comprises at least one hole (6, 7) and the at least one hole (6) on the first side (20) is offset in relation to the at least one hole (7) on the second side (21). The holes in the bellow provide increased flexibility, thereby allowing a greater amount of bending or articulation in the shaft. The holes reduce the amount of material in the sides of the bellow, thereby reducing the material stiffness and thereby increasing the flexibility. As the increased flexibility is provided in the sides of the bellow, the flexibility is achieved without increasing the diameter or axial length of the bellow. Axial length is kept to a minimum as a single bellow can provide the desired degree of flexibility rather than requiring the use of several bellows. This presents an advantage in applications where there is limited space or where added weight is undesirable.