Inventors:
Derek N. Yates - Los Gatos CA
David B. Rezin - Santa Clara CA
Assignee:
Celanese Corporation - New York NY
International Classification:
F16C 102
B32B 108
Abstract:
A carbon fiber reinforced composite tubular drive shaft is provided wherein the fibrous reinforcement is positioned in a structural configuration capable of yielding improved service characteristics. The wall of the drive shaft comprises at least four bonded circumferentially disposed layers composed of appropriate fibrous reinforcement situated within a resin matrix (as described). The carbon fibers are disposed generally longitudinally in a layer at an intermediate position within the tube wall and are capable of efficiently increasing the stiffness of the shaft. The overall requirement for the carbon fiber component of the fibrous reinforcement is minimized. Glass fibers likewise are disposed generally longitudinally in a layer at an intermediate position within the tube wall and are capable of economically contributing resistance to torsion buckling to the overall drive shaft without deleteriously influencing the critical speed of the drive shaft. The drive shafts of the present invention, accordingly, are light weight and surprisingly capable of yielding reliable service in the absence of harmful secondary powertrain resonance and the concomitant noise associated therewith.