US 12,467,499 B2
Drive shaft with non-cylindrical shape and spaced reinforcements
Mark R. Gurvich, Middletown, CT (US); Brayton Reed, New York Mills, NY (US); Joyel Schaefer, Earlville, NY (US); and Michael J. King, Sauquoit, NY (US)
Assigned to Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Aug. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/892,268.
Prior Publication US 2024/0060527 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. F16C 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 3/026 (2013.01) [F16C 2208/02 (2013.01); F16C 2326/06 (2013.01); F16C 2326/43 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drive shaft comprising:
a drive shaft body extending between axial ends and having an axial cross-sectional shape, which includes a plurality of undulations increasing a drive shaft body diameter through an infinite number of diameters across at least 15% of an axial length between the axial ends, and there being at least one reinforcing belt associated with adjacent ones of said plurality of undulations; and
wherein said plurality of undulations extending along a non-zero angle relative to a circumferential direction defined relative to a drive axis of said drive shaft, such that they form a spiral with a spiral smaller diameter intermediate portion.