US 12,258,122 B2
Drive shaft with ballistic tolerance
Mark R. Gurvich, Middletown, CT (US); Michael King, Sauquoit, NY (US); Brayton Reed, New York Mills, NY (US); and Joyel M. Schaefer, Earlville, NY (US)
Assigned to Goodrich Corporation
Filed by Goodrich Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Jul. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/367,085.
Prior Publication US 2023/0002039 A1, Jan. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 27/12 (2006.01); F16C 3/02 (2006.01); B64C 27/82 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 27/12 (2013.01) [F16C 3/023 (2013.01); F16C 3/026 (2013.01); B64C 27/82 (2013.01); F16C 2326/43 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aircraft drive shaft comprising:
an outer shaft having a first diameter connected to a first gearbox and a second gearbox to provide power transfer between the two gearboxes;
an inner shaft concentric with the outer shaft and having a second diameter configured to provide structural support to the outer shaft;
a gap defined between an outer peripheral surface of the inner shaft and an inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft, wherein;
a sleeve located at least at first end of the outer shaft connecting the outer shaft to the inner shaft; and
a plurality of connectors within the gap between the inner shaft and the outer shaft, wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors comprises:
a first portion contacting the inner shaft and extending axially along a surface of the inner shaft;
a second portion contacting the outer shaft and extending axially along a surface of the outer shaft; and
a central web portion extending radially between the first portion and the second portion.