Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to review the problem of designing a satisfactory open shaft-coupling between the power unit and the rear axle of a motor car.
The vogue for a low car and a low, flat floor coupled with the need for adequate ground clearance under the power unit demanded by export conditions, creates the need for a divided “propeller” shaft.
The cyclic forces on the centre bearing of such a divided propeller shaft are determined mathematically, and the story is told of the development of a design of centre bearing intended to prevent these cyclic forces being felt by the occupants of the vehicle.
The cyclic bending which is induced in the propeller shaft is shown to reduce its whirling speed below that of a freely revolving shaft.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.