当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Incorporated in USA - Illinois, 100 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606-2016, United States of America
摘要：
Systems, methods, and apparatus for transferring a rotational force via an internally supported shaft are provided. The apparatus 100 includes a shaft member 102 that may include a first end configured to receive the rotational force from a first mechanical component. The shaft member 102 may be configured to receive a torque in response to receiving the rotational force at the first end. The shaft member 102 may also include a second end that may be configured to provide the rotational force to a second mechanical component. The shaft member 102 may further include an outer surface 104 and an inner surface 106 that defines an internal volume of the shaft member 102. The apparatus 100 may also include a support member 108 that may be configured to transmit the torque. The support member 108 may include a plurality of lobes 110a, 110b, 110c that have a spiralled geometry. The support member 108 may be coupled to the shaft member 102.
权利要求：
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for transferring a rotational force, the apparatus comprising:
a shaft member comprising:
a first end of the shaft member configured to receive the rotational force from
a first mechanical component, wherein the shaft member is configured to receive a
torque in response to receiving the rotational force at the first end,
a second end of the shaft member configured to provide the rotational force to
a second mechanical component,
an outer surface, and
an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines an internal volume of the
shaft member; and
a support member comprising a plurality of lobes coupled to the shaft member and configured to transmit the torque of the shaft member, wherein the plurality of lobes has a spiral geometry along a length of the support member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lobes includes two or more lobes.
3. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of lobes comprises three symmetric lobes.
4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein a direction of the spiral geometry is in the direction of the torque generated in response to the rotational force.
3. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the spiral geometry of the plurality of lobes is determined based on an inner diameter of the shaft member, a length of the shaft member, a thickness of the shaft member, and a magnitude of the rotational force.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the support member is substantially equal to a length of the shaft member.
7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of lobes is mechanically coupled to the inner surface, and wherein each lobe of the plurality of lobes extends radially from a center of the internal volume.
8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of lobes is mechanically coupled to the outer surface, and wherein each lobe of the plurality of lobes extends radially from the outer surface.
9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first end is coupled to a first cap, and wherein the second end is coupled to a second cap.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the support member is not connected to the first cap or the second cap.
11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the support member includes one of titanium, Inconel, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the support member is bonded to the shaft member.
13. A method of forming an internally supported shaft capable of transferring a rotational force, the method comprising:
forming a shaft member having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines an internal volume of the shaft member; and
forming a support member associated with the shaft member, wherein the forming of the support member comprises:
forming a plurality of lobes having a spiral geometry along a length of the
support member.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
coupling the support member with the shaft member such that the support member is mechanically coupled to the shaft member.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the coupling comprises:
bonding the support member with the shaft member.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the coupling comprises:
compression fitting the support member within the shaft member.
17. The method of any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the forming of the shaft member and the forming of the support member are both part of a continuous additive manufacturing process.
18. A system for transferring a rotational force, the system comprising:
a first cap configured to receive the rotational force from a first mechanical component;
a shaft member coupled to the first cap, the shaft member comprising:
a first end configured to receive the rotational force from the first cap, wherein
the shaft member is configured to receive a torque in response to receiving the
rotational force at the first end,
a second end opposite to the first end,
an outer surface, and
an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines an internal volume of the
shaft member;
a support member comprising a plurality of lobes coupled to the shaft member and configured to transmit the torque of the shaft member, wherein the plurality of lobes has a spiral geometry along a length of the support member; and
a second cap coupled to the second end of the shaft member, wherein the second cap is configured to provide the rotational force to a second mechanical component.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the support member is not connected to the first cap or the second cap.
20. The system of any of claims 18 to 19, wherein the first mechanical component is included in a motor or engine, and wherein the second mechanical component is included in a tail rotor assembly of a helicopter.