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Modern Solutions to Coupling and Transmission Problems of Aircraft Engines
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
Summary
After a brief review of the classification of the couplings from the kinematic and mechanical points of view, the problem of aircraft engine Interconnection is introduced, together with some solutions which have made it possible to overcome the difficulty presented by the joint, at the expense, however, of some other mechanical requirements. The troubles experienced with couplings are to be blamed on the following three aspects of the conventional coupling designs: the use of gear-tooth couplings, sliding splined shaft arrangements, and the use of couplings of excessive weight. Possible improvements in the conventional designs using splined shafts are described, also the correct means of ensuring lubrication and the possibility of avoiding the need of lubrication by use of elastic distortion. Some Information is given about the effect of materials to be used for joint faces. The author then deals with coupling systems which are essentially based on the elastic property of materials. Three systems are investigated: flexible shafts, diaphragms and flexible couplings. Although flexible shafts are excellent for small misalignments, they do not permit axial movements of which diaphragms and flexible couplings are capable. The author then deals with sliding motions by recirculation of rollers which considerably extend the possibilities of axial movement. While couplings are devices normally intended to (ink up adjacent units, they become transmissions when units are some distance apart, and the typical feature of transmissions is that they require to be supported on one or more bearings. Straight and curved transmissions are presented, together with a brief survey of the following problems:
Torsional and bending strength, critical speeds, bearings, damping, loads on attachment points, effect of high and low temperatures, selection of materials, end couplings.
Typical test results are given, including those for the Breguet 941 curved transmission which has been run for 17 000 hours, that is 3.6 X 1010 revolutions, with only one relubrication at 10 000 hours. A short length instructional film showed the operation of a flexible bearing under critical speed conditions (this bearing is a part of the Breguet 941 curved transmission), and also demonstrated the endurance of the joints using sliding-type flexible couplings.
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- Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1965