Damped torque shaft assembly

• Main Authors: PRZYTULSKI, JAMES CHARLES, DINGWELL, WILLIAM TERENCE, HAASER, FREDERIC GARDNER, EVEN-NUR, MICHAEL, BOWEN, WAYNE RAY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 23.05.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; BLASTING; COMBUSTION ENGINES; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; HEATING; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAMTURBINES; NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS; POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS; STEAM ENGINES; WEAPONS

A torque shaft assembly (60) includes a hollow tube (62) with a central axis disposed between and fixedly connected to first and second crankshafts at first and second distal ends (86, 88), respectively, of the tube for movement of an array of connecting members such as push rods. A hollow interior (74) of tube between the first and second crankshafts is filled with a sufficient quantity of flowable inertia material or damping media (70) to absorb vibratory energy by friction during operation of the engine. The hollow interior (74) is preferably filled with a quantity of damping media (70) to a level by volume (V) of about 98% and a preferred flowable inertia material is round steel shot (72). A plurality of spaced-apart devises (134) are fixedly attached to an outer surface (68) of the tube wall surrounding the hollow interior (74). Each clevis includes connection means disposed away from the wall outer surface (68) for connection with an actuator for movement of the array of adjustable devices such as variable stator vanes.