Redundant coupling arrangements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10480585-B2
Application number	US-201615336420-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 27, 2016
Priority date	Oct 27, 2016
Publication date	Nov 19, 2019
Grant date	Nov 19, 2019

Abstract

A flexible diaphragm coupling that includes a primary torque path and a secondary torque path. The secondary torque path includes a crowned or spherical spline assembly and provides additional capability during transient overtorque of the primary torque path or acts as the primary torque path in the unlikely event of diaphragm failure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A redundant coupling arrangement, comprising:
a first member defining a first axis;
a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis; and
a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;
wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body; and
wherein the flexible coupling arrangement has a first operating mode, wherein all torque is transmitted through the first torque transmitting arrangement and there is zero contact in the second torque transmitting arrangement;
a second operating mode, wherein all torque is transmitted through the second torque transmitting arrangement in case of failure of the first torque transmitting arrangement; and
a third operating mode, wherein torque is split between the first torque transmitting arrangement and the second torque transmitting arrangement, the first torque transmitting arrangement being the primary torque transmission mechanism and the second torque transmitting arrangement providing overload protection by engaging (via contact) after a predetermined amount of torque has been applied to the redundant coupling arrangement.

2. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first torque transmitting arrangement and the second torque transmitting arrangement allow both axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis.

3. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement is positioned radially inward relative to the first torque transmitting arrangement.

4. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first torque transmitting arrangement includes a flexible diaphragm section with an interior, wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement is disposed within the interior of the first torque transmitting arrangement.

5. The arrangement as recited in claim 4 , wherein the flexible diaphragm section includes a pair of axially adjacent diaphragm members coupled at outer rim portions.

6. The arrangement as recited in claim 4 , wherein the flexible diaphragm section includes a pair of axially adjacent diaphragm members coupled at inner rim portions.

7. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein the collar has a plurality of internal splines distributed circumferentially about a radially inner surface of the collar.

8. A redundant coupling arrangement, comprising:
a first member defining a first axis;
a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis; and
a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;

wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body, wherein the plurality of external splines are received within respective internal splines, and wherein the internal splines have planar surfaces, wherein the external splines have an arcuate profile and a spherical drive surface.

9. A redundant coupling arrangement, comprising:
a first member defining a first axis;
a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis; and
a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;

wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body, wherein the plurality of external splines are received within respective internal splines, and wherein the external splines have a first position and a second position, surfaces of the external splines being separated from faces of the internal splines in the first position, the surfaces of the external splines contacting faces of the internal splines the second position.

10. A system, comprising:
a first member defining a first axis;
a second member defining a second axis being in operable communication with the first member;
a first torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis; and
a second torque transmitting arrangement configured to transfer torque between the first member and the second member while allowing at least one of axial displacement between the first member and the second member and angular misalignment of the first axis relative to the second axis,
wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement includes a spherical body disposed within a collar, wherein the collar is fixed in rotation relative to one of the first member and the second member, wherein the spherical body is fixed relative to the other of the first member and the second member;
wherein the spherical body has a plurality of external splines distributed circumferentially about a radially outer surface of the spherical body;
a driving member connected to the first member; and
a driven member connected to the second member, wherein the second torque transmitting arrangement has a first configuration and a second config

Assignees

• Goodrich Corp

Inventors

• Goeke Jerry L
• Reed Brayton

Classifications

• F16D3/72

  with axially-spaced attachments to the coupling parts (F16D3/56 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16D3/185 Primary

  radial teeth connecting concentric inner and outer coupling parts · CPC title

• F16D3/79

  the disc or ring being metallic · CPC title