Propeller Shaft

Propeller Shaft

“Propeller shaft is a circular shaft which is used to transmit the power or rotational motion from the gear box to the final drive.” 

The propeller shaft as the name suggest “ propels the vehicle.” It also includes the U- joints and slip or slider joint to adjust the length of a shaft when the vehicle is on bump. The propeller shaft is inclined at an particular angle for the length adjustment with the help of U-joints and slip joint.



Functions of Propeller Shaft

The propeller shaft performs the following two functions:- 

1. To receive the power from the gear box output shaft & without any change in speed transmit to the input shaft of the differential for onward transmission to the rear axle & wheels. 

2.To cope with the difference in line with the level of the gear box output shaft & the differential input pinion shaft.

Requirements of Propeller Shaft

1. High torsional strength: Therefore, they are made of solid or hollow circular cross section.

2. Toughened and hardened: Therefore, they are made of superior quality steel and are induction hardened

3. Efficiently jointed: Therefore they are generally welded by submerged are carbon dioxide welding process.

4. Dynamically balanced: Since the phenomenon of whirling may be critical at higher speeds, therefore, propeller shafts are tested on electronic balancing machine.

5. Reduced thrust loads: Since resonance is dangerous for the life of shaft. It also transmits excessive dynamic force to the shaft's end supports, and so its occurrence should be avoided.

Types of Propeller Shaft

The Propeller shaft are generally two types-

1. Torque Tube type Propeller Shaft 
2. Hotchkiss Type Propeller Shaft 

1. Torque Tube type Propeller Shaft-

A torque tube is a large diameter tube fastened securely to the rear axle housing & completely enclosing the propeller shaft. In torque drive, the propeller shaft is enclosed in a hollow tube. The torque tube are fitted into a spherical ball & socket surrounding one universal joint at transmission end. 

2. Hotchkiss Type Propeller Shaft-

In this type of propeller shaft the driving & braking torque are absorbed through the front half of the rear leaf spring. Hotchkiss drive are mostly used in all the cars & trucks now day. Its cheaper & give satisfactory result. The Hotchkiss drive consists of a leaf spring and a propeller shaft with two universal joints and one sliding joint. The front end of the leaf spring is pivoted in pin of bracket which is bolted to the vehicle frame while rear end of the leaf spring is supported in swinging shackle with antifriction bush material.

Advantages of Propeller shaft

1. Contribution to vehicle fuel efficiency improvement by mass reduction.
2. Low collapse force for improved vehicle crash performance.
3. Provide same power to differential which is transfer from engine to gearbox.

Disadvantages of Propeller shaft

1. High initial Cost.
2. Limit in size.

Applications of Propeller shaft

1. Cars
2. Buses
3. Trucks
4. Three wheelers etc.

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