Composite shaft with outer periphery ring

Abstract

A drive shaft has a central tubular portion formed of a polymer composite with imbedded fibers. It extends between a first end and a second end. The central tubular portion has an outer peripheral surface. There is at least one ring on the outer peripheral surface of the central tubular portion. A method of repairing a composite material tube includes the steps of (a) identifying a damaged area on a composite tube, and (b) placing a patch on a surface of the tube and over the damaged area.

1 . A method of repairing a composite material tube comprising the steps of:
 (a) identifying a damaged area on a composite tube; and   (b) placing a patch on a surface of the tube and over the damaged area.   
     
     
         2 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of patch layers placed to cover the damaged area. 
     
     
         3 . The method set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the patch is provided at an outer peripheral surface of the composite tube. 
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the composite tube is cylindrical, and the patch extends over a limited circumferential area of the composite tube. 
     
     
         5 . The method set forth in  claim 6 , wherein at least a second patch is circumferentially spaced, but axially aligned with the patch over the damaged area, with a location for the second patch being selected to provide balancing of the composite tube. 
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the first and second patch are formed of polymer matrix material with reinforcing fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the composite tube and the first and second patch are formed of the same composite material. 
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the composite tube and the patch are formed of a composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the patch is formed of polymer matrix material with reinforcing fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the composite tube and the patch are formed of the same composite material. 
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the composite tube is hollow. 
     
     
         12 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the patch is provided at an outer peripheral surface of the composite tube. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the composite tube is cylindrical, and the patch extends over a limited circumferential area of the composite tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method set forth in  claim 13 , wherein at least a second patch is circumferentially spaced, but axially aligned with the patch over the damaged area, with a location for the second patch being selected to provide balancing of the composite tube. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the first and second patch are formed of polymer matrix material with reinforcing fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the composite tube and the patch are formed of a composite material. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the patch is formed of polymer matrix material with reinforcing fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the patch is formed of polymer matrix material with reinforcing fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the composite tube and the patch are formed of the same composite material. 
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the composite tube is hollow.