Segmented Torque Coupling Assembly for Misalignment Tolerance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling systems in aircraft engines face challenges in accommodating misalignment between rotary components while maintaining low friction, dynamic stress resistance, and minimizing weight, with current solutions often requiring precise alignment and sacrificing design considerations.

Innovation Solution

A tool and kit system for assembling a coupling with segments that can accommodate misalignment, featuring a tool with a coupler-engaging section and segments that can be angled and radially locked, allowing for easier installation and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional coupling systems are used to transfer torque between rotary components, then torque transfer is achieved, but misalignment between components cannot be accommodated and precise alignment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemisalignment accommodationVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can independently articulate relative to each other. Each segment contains articulation surfaces that allow relative movement, enabling the coupling to accommodate misalignment between rotary components while maintaining torque transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If coupling segments are designed to accommodate misalignment, then misalignment tolerance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemisalignment toleranceVSAvoidcoupling structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can independently articulate relative to each other. Each segment contains articulation surfaces that allow relative movement, enabling the coupling to accommodate misalignment between rotary components while maintaining torque transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling segments are nested within each other, with the first segment received within the second segment, and the second segment received within the third segment. This nested configuration allows compact arrangement while maintaining the ability to accommodate misalignment through articulation between segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If precise alignment is required for coupling installation, then torque transfer efficiency is maintained, but ease of installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transfer efficiencyVSAvoidease of installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can independently articulate relative to each other. Each segment contains articulation surfaces that allow relative movement, enabling the coupling to accommodate misalignment between rotary components while maintaining torque transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling allows for angular misalignment through articulation between segments. The articulation surfaces are configured to permit relative angular movement, changing the operational parameters to accommodate misalignment without compromising torque transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4098898B1Torque transfer coupling and tool for assembly thereof

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

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AI summary

A tool (70) for installing segments (44) of a coupling (30) having male and female couplers (31, 33) drivingly engaged to one another by the segments (44), the tool (70) has: a coupler-engaging section (71) engageable to a female coupler (31) of the couplers (31, 33) for radially supporting the tool (70) relative to the female coupler (31) about a rotation axis (11) of the coupling (30); and a peripheral wall (73A) secured to the coupler-engaging section (71) and extending circumferentially around the rotation axis (11), a diameter (D2) of the peripheral wall (73A) selected to allow insertion of the segments (44) between the female coupler (31) and the peripheral wall (73A), the peripheral wall (73A) defining an abutting surface against which radially inner ends (46) of the segments (44) abut during insertion of the segments (44) between the female coupler (31) and the peripheral wall (73A).