Method and apparatus for constructing an integrally stiffened composite drive shaft

摘要

There is provided a composite drive shaft fabrication apparatus comprising stiffening mold members and a cylindrical mold with receiving grooves designed to receive the elongated stiffening mold members. Also provided is a composite drive shaft made of composite fibrous material in a cylindrical shape holding the elongated stiffening mold members in place. A method for making the composite drive shaft is also provided, where a layer of composite fibrous material is wrapped around the cylindrical mold, the stiffening mold members inserted, and a second layer wrapped around the mold. The composite drive shaft consolidated and the cylindrical mold is removed. There is also provided an apparatus for use in composite drive shaft construction comprising two layers of composite fibrous material with a plurality of elongated stiffening mold members positioned between them. Also provided is a method of use for such an apparatus.