Transmission and Driveline Development and Their Components

U.S. Army ground vehicles such as the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) use a driveline system to transfer power from the engine to the vehicle's wheels. Modern driveline systems make up a significant amount of a ground vehicle's empty weight. Driveline system components are fabricated from relatively heavy metals that are subject to corrosion damage, and are expensive to manufacture due to the fabrication processes required to form the complexly shaped parts. Innovative driveline system designs that utilize low cost, lightweight, durable materials are required to reduce the weight of the driveline system, while reducing part procurement costs and maintenance costs by eliminating corrosion damage. Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc. and subcontractor Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems, LP propose to develop cost effective, lightweight, damage tolerant, polymer composite driveline system component designs to replace currently used metallic components in the FMTV tactical vehicles. The use of composite materials will reduce the cost and weight of the driveline system while providing a reliable, corrosion free service life with little or no maintenance costs. The use of lighter weight, polymer composite driveline components will increase the power-to-weight ratio of the vehicle and allow for increased performance or payload.