Swift Assessment of Flexible Elements of High Speed Flexible Couplings for Aircraft Transmission Systems

The High Speed Flexible Coupling (HSFC) known as Power Take-Off shaft (PTO) is used in combat aircraft for connecting engine gearbox with accessory gearbox to transmit power and to accommodate larger misalignments. The HSFC utilizes series of metallic contoured plates as flexible elements. The development of a HSFC shaft assembly involves high cost and time process. Any failure of the HSFC during flight operation will deprive the secondary power system mainly used for controlling the single engine fighter aircraft. To develop the reliable HSFC with minimum developmental cost and time, an innovative approach termed as Swift Assessment of Flexible Elements (SAFE) for the development of HSFC is evolved. A case study of a typical high speed flexible coupling developed using this approach is presented With the SAFE approach, sufficient level of flexibility in design modification, trim down product development cycle time and cost were realized.