GB592802A - Improvements in or relating to shaft couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

592,802. Shaft couplings and collars; universal joints. LOMBARD, A. A. Jan. 9, 1945, No. 747. [Class 80(ii)] In a shaft coupling transmitting end thrust and radial loads as well as torque, axially mating toothed driving members mounted on each shaft can be drivingly engaged and locked against disengagement only when the shafts have been themselves locked together by passing the slotted enlarged end of an axial extension on one shaft axially through complementary slots into a co-acting recess in the other shaft end and turning the shafts relatively to each other to a locking position. As shown, applied to couple together the turbine and compressor shafts of an aircraft jet engine, an externally toothed wheel 20, Fig. 1, fixed on one shaft 14, is engageable by an internally toothed collar 21, slidably splined on the other shaft 11, only when a cylinder or ball 12, formed on the end of the shaft 11 and having three circumferentially spaced 60 degrees slots 13, has been passed through a complementarily slotted cover plate 16 into a co-acting socket 15 in the end of the shaft 14 and turned through 60 degrees to prevent withdrawal. Prior engagement of the toothed members is prevented by three enlarged tooth spaces 24, Fig. 4, on the collar 21, which mate with correspondingly enlarged teeth on the wheel 20 only when locking is complete. Further locking of the collar 21 against axial movement is provided by a locating ring 26, Fig. 5, also slidably splined on the shaft 11 and which, when the collar 21 is drivingly engaged and teeth 27 on the ring have been passed through slots 29 on the collar 21, can be rotated in a groove 30 in the shaft 11 until a radial spring-pressed plunger 32 in the collar 21 enters one of two holes 31 in the ring thus locating it axially by interference of its splines with those of the shaft 11. Co-acting dowel pins and holes can replace the enlarged teeth and tooth spaces on the members 20, 21.