GB2117487A - Improvements in or relating to drive shaft couplings - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to drive shaft couplings Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2117487A
GB2117487A GB08209574A GB8209574A GB2117487A GB 2117487 A GB2117487 A GB 2117487A GB 08209574 A GB08209574 A GB 08209574A GB 8209574 A GB8209574 A GB 8209574A GB 2117487 A GB2117487 A GB 2117487A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
drive shaft
ring
splines
coupling
arrangement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08209574A
Inventor
Barrie Ernest Sawbridge
Douglas Wilson Dawson
Geofrey Alan Ken Pop
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rolls Royce PLC
Original Assignee
Rolls Royce PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rolls Royce PLC filed Critical Rolls Royce PLC
Priority to GB08209574A priority Critical patent/GB2117487A/en
Publication of GB2117487A publication Critical patent/GB2117487A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16DCOUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D1/00Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
    • F16D1/06Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16DCOUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/02Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions
    • F16D3/06Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions specially adapted to allow axial displacement
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16DCOUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D1/00Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
    • F16D1/10Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially
    • F16D2001/103Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially the torque is transmitted via splined connections

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Details Of Gearings (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides an arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft (42) to a coaxial second drive shaft (38), the drive shafts being drivingly connected together by a splined coupling (40). A first ring (56) which has an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the splines (54) on the first drive shaft (42), and the first ring (56) is positioned coaxially within and secured to a second ring (58). The second ring (58) abuts and is secured to the second drive shaft (38). In operation the first ring (56) abuts the splines (54) on the first drive shaft (42) and prevents the splines (52) on the second drive shaft (38) sliding out of engagement with the splines (54) on the first drive shaft (42). A lubricant is supplied to the splined coupling (40), and the first ring (56) forms a lubricant weir in order to provide full depth lubrication of the splines (52 and 54), and a sealing ring (62) is positioned axially between the second ring (58) and the second drive shaft (38) to prevent leakage of the lubricant between the second drive shaft (38) and the second ring (58). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to drive shaft couplings The present invention relates to drive shaft couplings and in particular to an arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a coaxial second drive shaft, the drive shafts being drivingly connected together by a splined coupling.
The use of splined couplings to drivingly connect together coaxial drive shafts requires some means to prevent the splines on the second drive shaft sliding out of engagement with the splines on the first drive shaft.
It is also necessary to ensure that a sufficient quantity of lubricant is present on the splines of the shafts, in order to prevent wear of the splines which leads to vibration of the shafts.
The present invention seeks to provide a coupling arrangement which will prevent the splines on the coaxial drive shafts sliding out of engagement, and also ensure a sufficient quantity of lubricant is present on the splines of the drive shafts.
Accordingly the present invention provides an arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft in which the first and second drive shafts are coaxial, the drive shafts being drivingly connected together by a splined coupling, a first ring which has an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the splines on the first drive shaft is positioned coaxially around the first drive shaft, the first ring is secured to the second drive shaft, the first ring abuts the splines on the first drive shaft preventing the splines on the second drive shaft sliding out of engagement with the splines on the first drive shaft when the drive shafts are in operation, the first ring is capable of expansion in orderto allow the first ring to be passed over the splines on the first drive shaft during the assembling or disassembling of the coupling.
The first ring may be secured to a second ring which has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the splines on the first drive shaft and is positioned coaxially around the first drive shaft, and the second ring is secured to the second drive shaft.
The first ring may be positioned coaxially within the second ring, the external diameter of the first ring being substantially the same as the internal diameter of the second ring, and a circumferential land extends radially inwards from the second ring at the end remote from the second shaft to prevent the first ring from sliding through the second ring.
The first ring may be a piston ring, and the piston ring may have a tongue and groove joint, or may be a spiral ring.
A lubricant is supplied to the splines of the first and second drive shafts and the first ring may form a lubricant weir in order to provide full depth lubrication of the splines of the first and second drive shafts.
Asealing ring may be positioned axially between the end of the second drive shaft and the second ring in order to prevent leakage of the lubricant between the end of the second drive shaft and the second ring.
The second ring has an annular groove in which the sealing ring may be positioned.
The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a cut-away view of a gas turbine engine showing an arrangement for coupling coaxial drive shafts.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 for coupling coaxial drive shafts according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the arrows A-A in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a prior art arrangement for coupling coaxial drive shafts.
A gas turbine engine 10 as shown in Figure 1 comprises in flow series a fan 12 and a core engine 14. The core engine 14 comprises an intermediate pressure compressor 16, a high pressure compressor 18, an annular combustion chamber 20, a high pressure turbine 22, an intermediate pressure turbine 24, low pressure turbines 26 and an exhaust nozzle 27. In operation, air entering the gas turbine engine 10 is given an initial compression by the fan 12, and the airflow is then divided.
Afirst portion of the air flows through an annular bypass duct 13, around the core engine 14 and the second portion of air flows into the core engine 14.
The air which flows into the core engine 14 is compressed further by the intermediate and high pressure compressors 16 and 18 respectively, before entering the annular combustion chamber 20. Fuel is injected into the annular combustion chamber 20 and is mixed with the air before being ignited and burnt with the air to produce hot gases. The hot gases flow out of the annular combustion chamber 20 and drive the high, intermediate and low pressure turbines 22, 24 and 26 respectively before leaving the gas turbine engine 10 through the exhaust nozzle 27. The high, intermediate and low pressure turbines 22, 24 and 26 respectively drive the high and intermediate pressure compressors 16 and 18 respectively and the fan 12 via shafts 32,30 and 28 respectively.
The gas turbine engine 10 also has an auxiliary drive comprising drive shafts 34, 38, 42 and 46, which are drivingly connected in series.
The drive shafts 38 and 42 are drivingly connected by a splined coupling 40.
A previous design of splined coupling 40 is shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 4. The drive shafts 38 and 42 are coaxial, and one end 48 of the drive shaft 38 which has an arrangement of splines 52 on its internal circumference is positioned coaxially around one end 50 of the drive shaft 42 which has an arrangement of splines 54 on its external circumference. The splines 52 and 54 on the drive shafts 38 and 42 respectively engage with each other in order to transmit drive from drive shaft 38 to drive shaft 42.
A retaining ring 82 which has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42 is positioned coaxially around and spaced from the drive shaft 42 by an annular space 80, and the retaining ring 82 has an arrangement of teeth 84 on its inner circumference. The retaining ring 82 is rotated so that each tooth 84 is in alignment with a spline 54 on the drive shaft 42, and the drive shaft 38 is then secured to the retaining ring 82. A second ring 94 is positioned coaxially around the drive shaft 42 and a rubber ring 110 which has an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the spines 54 is positioned coaxially around the drive shaft 42 and axially between the retaining ring 82 and the second ring 94.
The second ring 94 is secured to the retaing ring 82 buy a number of screws 104 which extend through coaxial apertures 90 and 100 in the flanges 86 and 96 of the retaining ring 82 and second ring 94 respectively, The drive shaft 38 is secured to the retaining ring 82 by a number of bolts 106 which extend through coaxial apertures 102, 92 and 72 in the flanges 98, 88 and 68 of the second ring 94, the retaining ring 82 and the drive shaft 38 respectively, and thread into a co-operating nut 108.
In operation, the teeth 84 on the retaining ring 82 abut the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42 and prevent the splines 52 and 54 on the drive shafts 38 and 42 sliding out of engagement. A lubricant is supplied to the coupling 40 and the rubber ring 110 forms a lubricant weir in order to provide full depth lubrication of the splines 52 and 54.
However this design tends to suffer from a leakage of lubricant between the end 48 of the drive shaft 38 and the retaining ring 82, and this results in loss of the full depth lubrication of the splines 52 and 54.
Also, it is possible for the rubber ring 110 to be omitted during the assembly of the coupling 40, which results in inadequate lubrication of the splines 52 and 54, because their is no lubricant weir to provide full depth lubrication of the splines. This causes wear of the splines 52 and 54 and vibration of the shafts 38 and 42.
The splined coupling 40 according to the present invention is shown to an enlarged scale in Figures 2 and 3.
The drive shafts 38 and 42 are coaxial, and one end 48 of the drive shaft 38 which has an arrangement of splines 54 on its external circumference. The splines 52 and 54 on the drive shafts 38 and 42 respectively engage with each other in order to transmit drive from drive shaft 38 to drive shaft 42, and the end 50 of the drive shaft 42 is spaced from the drive shaft 38 by a gap 78.
The coupling 40 also has a first ring 56 which has an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42 and the first ring 56 is positioned coaxially around and spaced from the drive shaft 42 by an annular space 80. A second ring 58 which has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42 is also positioned coaxially around the drive shaft 42. The first ring 56 is positioned coaxiallywithin the second ring 58 and the external diameter of the first ring 56 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the second ring 58.The second ring 58 abuts and is secured to the end 48 of the drive shaft 38 by a number of bolts 64 which extend through coaxial apertures 74 and 72 in each flange 70 and 68 respectively of the second ring 58 and the drive shaft 38, and by a number of nuts 66 which are threaded onto a cooperating bolt 64. A circumferential land 59 which extends radially inwards from the second ring 58 is positioned at the end remote from the drive shaft 38 and prevents the first ring 56 from sliding through the second ring 58.
The second ring 58 has an annular groove 60 on the face which abuts the end 48 of the drive shaft 38, and a sealing ring 62 is bonded into the annular groove 60. A shaft 76 is positioned coaxially within the drive shaft 42 for the supply of lubricant to the splined coupling 40.
In operation a lubricant is supplied from a supply of lubricant through the shaft 76. The lubricant flow is relatively small, and because of the rotation of the shaft 76 the lubricant is centrifuged to the internal surface of the shaft 76. The lubricant falls radially outwards onto the end 50 of the drive shaft 42 and flows radially through the gap 78 between the end 50 of the drive shaft 42 and the drive shaft 38. The lubricant then flows onto the splines 52 and 54 of the drive shafts 38 and 42 respectively, and the first ring 56 forms a lubricant weir to provide full depth lubrication of the splines 52 and 54, i.e. the lubricant weir ensures that the whole of the splines 52 and 54 are covered with lubricant, in order to minimise wear of the splines 52 and 54.
The sealing ring 62 which is positioned in the annular groove 60 in the second ring 58 prevents leakage of the lubricant between the end 48 of the drive shaft 38 and the second ring 58, to ensure that the lubricant covers the splines 52 and 54 completely. There is of course a constant flow of lubricant through the gap 78, between the splines 52 and 54 and through the annular space 80 but the whole of the splines 52 and 54 remain covered by the lubricant.
In operation, if the drive shafts 38 and 42 move coaxially apart, the first ring 56 will abut the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42 and prevent the splines 52 on the drive shaft 38 sliding out of engagement with the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42. This is achieved because the internal diameter of the first ring 56 is less than the external diameter of the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42.
The first ring 56 is a piston ring, but the piston ring must be able to pass over the splines 54 on the drive shaft 42, and must also be able to act as a lubricant weirto produce full depth lubrication of the splines 52 and 54. Piston rings which have lap joins or hook joins satisfy the first criteria but do not act as a lubricant weir because these piston rings have direct leakage paths for the lubricant to flow through.
Piston rings which have a tongue and groove type join or are formed from a spiral ring satisfy both criteria. The piston rings which are formed from a spiral ring are the preferred type of ring because these only require coarse manufacturing tolerances.
The coupling 40 is assembled by initially sliding the second ring 58 over the end 50 of the drive shaft 42, and the first ring 56 is expanded and then slid over the splines on the drive shaft 42. The first ring 56 is then slid coaxially into the second ring 58, and the bolts 64 are positioned coaxially within the apertures 72 and 74 in the flanges 68 and 70 respectively of the drive shaft 38 and the second ring 58.
It can be seen that the first ring 56 serves the functions of locking the second shaft 38 onto the first shaft 42, and forming a lubricant weir to ensure that the splines 52 and 54 are fully covered with lubricant.

Claims (10)

1. An arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft in which the first and second drive shafts are coaxial, the drive shafts being drivingly connected together by a splined coupling, a first ring which has an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the splines on the first drive shaft is positioned coaxially around the first drive shaft, the first ring being secured to the second drive shaft and abutting the splines on the first drive shaft preventing the splines on the second drive shaft sliding out of engagement with the splines on the first drive shaft when the drive shafts are in operation, the first ring being capable of expansion in order to allow the first ring to be passed over the splines on the first drive shaft during the assembling or disassembling of the coupling.
2. An arrangement for coupline a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claim 1 in which the first ring is secured to a second ring, the second ring which has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the splines on the first drive shaft is positioned coaxially around the first drive shaft, and the second ring is secured to the second drive shaft.
3. An arrangement for coupling afirstdriveshaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claim 2 in which the first ring is positioned coaxially within the second ring, the external diameter of the first ring being substantially the same as the internal diameter of the second ring, and a circumferential land extends radially inwards from the second ring at the end remote from the second shaft to prevent the first ring sliding through the second ring.
4. An arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claim 3 in which the first ring is a piston ring.
5. An arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claim 4 in which the piston ring has a tongue and groove joint.
6. An arrangementforcoupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claim 4 in which the piston ring is a spiral ring.
7. An arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claims 5 or 6 in which a lubricant is supplied to the splines of the first and second drive shafts, the first ring forms a lubricant weir in order to provide full depth lubrication of the splines of the first and second drive shafts.
8. An arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claim 7 in which a sealing ring is positioned axially between the end of the second shaft and the second ring in order to prevent leakage of the lubricant between the end of the second shaft and the second ring.
9. An arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft as claimed in claim 8 in which the second ring has an annular groove in which the sealing ring is positioned.
10. An arrangement for coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08209574A 1982-03-31 1982-03-31 Improvements in or relating to drive shaft couplings Withdrawn GB2117487A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08209574A GB2117487A (en) 1982-03-31 1982-03-31 Improvements in or relating to drive shaft couplings

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08209574A GB2117487A (en) 1982-03-31 1982-03-31 Improvements in or relating to drive shaft couplings

Publications (1)

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GB2117487A true GB2117487A (en) 1983-10-12

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GB08209574A Withdrawn GB2117487A (en) 1982-03-31 1982-03-31 Improvements in or relating to drive shaft couplings

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5088742A (en) * 1990-04-28 1992-02-18 Rolls-Royce Plc Hydraulic seal and method of assembly
US7100464B2 (en) 2003-05-21 2006-09-05 Scania Cv Ab (Publ) Splined connection
EP2546459A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft A rotor train for a turbine system
US20170254213A1 (en) * 2014-09-05 2017-09-07 Safran Aircraft Engines Turbomachine shaft
FR3079894A1 (en) * 2018-04-04 2019-10-11 Rolls-Royce Plc Splined joint designed to retain lubricant
US10927899B2 (en) 2017-11-17 2021-02-23 Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited Splined coupling
FR3115086A1 (en) * 2020-10-08 2022-04-15 Safran Transmission Systems Mechanical coupling device between two shafts , turbomachine gearbox having it

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1185624A (en) * 1966-05-12 1970-03-25 Birfield Eng Ltd Improvements in or relating to Drive Shaft Assemblies
GB1211038A (en) * 1967-02-03 1970-11-04 Andre Dreiding Improvements in or relating to releasable couplings
GB1337703A (en) * 1972-01-19 1973-11-21 Rolls Royce Locking device
GB1431664A (en) * 1972-06-07 1976-04-14 Caterpillar Tractor Co Gear assembly
GB1445094A (en) * 1972-09-01 1976-08-04 Gkn Transmissions Ltd Spline joint assemblies
GB2006393A (en) * 1977-10-21 1979-05-02 Gelenkwellenbau Gmbh Length adjustable shafts
GB1571477A (en) * 1977-03-31 1980-07-16 Skf Nova Ab Apparatus comprising one member located in the bore of another member

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1185624A (en) * 1966-05-12 1970-03-25 Birfield Eng Ltd Improvements in or relating to Drive Shaft Assemblies
GB1211038A (en) * 1967-02-03 1970-11-04 Andre Dreiding Improvements in or relating to releasable couplings
GB1337703A (en) * 1972-01-19 1973-11-21 Rolls Royce Locking device
GB1431664A (en) * 1972-06-07 1976-04-14 Caterpillar Tractor Co Gear assembly
GB1445094A (en) * 1972-09-01 1976-08-04 Gkn Transmissions Ltd Spline joint assemblies
GB1571477A (en) * 1977-03-31 1980-07-16 Skf Nova Ab Apparatus comprising one member located in the bore of another member
GB2006393A (en) * 1977-10-21 1979-05-02 Gelenkwellenbau Gmbh Length adjustable shafts

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5088742A (en) * 1990-04-28 1992-02-18 Rolls-Royce Plc Hydraulic seal and method of assembly
US7100464B2 (en) 2003-05-21 2006-09-05 Scania Cv Ab (Publ) Splined connection
EP2546459A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft A rotor train for a turbine system
WO2013007463A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2013-01-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft A rotor train for a turbine system
US20170254213A1 (en) * 2014-09-05 2017-09-07 Safran Aircraft Engines Turbomachine shaft
JP2017526847A (en) * 2014-09-05 2017-09-14 サフラン・エアクラフト・エンジンズ Turbomachine shaft
US10767505B2 (en) * 2014-09-05 2020-09-08 Safran Aircraft Engines Turbomachine shaft
US10927899B2 (en) 2017-11-17 2021-02-23 Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited Splined coupling
EP3486515B1 (en) * 2017-11-17 2021-03-31 Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited Splined coupling
FR3079894A1 (en) * 2018-04-04 2019-10-11 Rolls-Royce Plc Splined joint designed to retain lubricant
FR3115086A1 (en) * 2020-10-08 2022-04-15 Safran Transmission Systems Mechanical coupling device between two shafts , turbomachine gearbox having it

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