Composite Flexible Couplings for Naval Rotorcraft

Flexible couplings are an integral component of rotorcraft drive systems, and are used to accommodate small axial and angular misalignments between connecting drive shafts. Composite materials offer a number of advantages over metallic materials in coupling applications in terms of increased performance, reduced corrosion, reduced weight, and reduction in envelope. This program will map out the feasible composite coupling design space in terms of torque load, diameter, and axial/angular offset for various families of composite systems. Based on this design space, a specific coupling design will be selected and a preliminary composite material/design established. Representative materials will be fabricated and tested to validate the preliminary design.