Flexible Coupling Arrangement for Rotorcraft Drive Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive systems for rotorcraft face challenges in efficiently transmitting torque across misaligned components, often requiring intervening gearboxes that increase weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible coupling arrangement that includes outer and inner flexible couplings, allowing for angular and axial misalignment, with diaphragm elements and a quill shaft design that accommodates misalignment and supports torque transmission between concentric load paths, potentially eliminating the need for a gearbox.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gearbox is used to transmit torque between misaligned components, then torque transmission is achieved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into an outer flexible coupling and an inner flexible coupling, each handling specific portions of the torque transmission and misalignment compensation. The outer coupling handles radial misalignment while the inner coupling handles axial misalignment, dividing the complex gearbox function into simpler, specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible diaphragm elements in the outer flexible coupling and a flexible inner coupling structure to accommodate misalignment between shafts. These flexible components replace rigid gearbox mechanisms, allowing torque transmission while adapting to angular and axial misalignment through elastic deformation of the diaphragm elements.
2Reliability
If a gearbox is used to transmit torque, then torque transmission is achieved, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential torque transmission function from the heavy gearbox structure and implements it through lighter flexible coupling elements. By removing the gearbox and replacing it with flexible couplings that directly connect the shafts, the weight is reduced while maintaining torque transmission capability through the elastic properties of the diaphragm elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible diaphragm elements serve as thin-film structures that transmit torque while accommodating misalignment. These thin-film flexible components replace the heavy solid gearbox structure, achieving the same torque transmission function with significantly reduced weight through the use of elastic deformation in thin diaphragm elements.
3Device complexity
If conventional rigid couplings are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but misalignment between components cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The diaphragm elements in the outer flexible coupling and the inner flexible coupling can dynamically deform to accommodate changing misalignment conditions between shafts, allowing the system to adapt to various angular and axial misalignment scenarios while maintaining torque transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible diaphragm elements as thin-film structures that can bend and deform to accommodate misalignment between connected shafts. These flexible elements replace rigid coupling components, enabling the system to handle both angular and axial misalignment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
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
This solution enables efficient torque transmission across misaligned components, reducing weight and complexity by allowing for a more compact and redundant drive system, capable of powering multiple rotor assemblies independently.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of diaphragm elements can bend in concert with the inner flexible coupling
Implementation Method 2
inner flexible coupling arranged to transmit torque between the inner first member and the inner second member while allowing either or both of angular misalignment and axial misalignment
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible coupling arrangement includes an outer first member, an outer second member, and an outer flexible coupling. The outer flexible coupling is arranged to transmit torque between the outer first member and the outer second member while allowing at least one of angular misalignment and axial misalignment between the outer first member and the outer second member. The flexible coupling also includes an inner first member, an inner second member, and inner flexible coupling. The inner flexible coupling arranged to transmit torque between the inner first member and the inner second member while allowing at least one of angular misalignment and axial misalignment between the inner first member and the inner second member. The inner flexible coupling is positioned radially inward of the outer flexible coupling.