Driveshaft

A driveshaft or driving shaft or Cardan shaft is a mechanical device for transferring power from the engine or motor to the point where useful work is applied.

Related Topics:
Mechanical device - Transferring - Power - Engine - Motor - Work

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Most engines or motors deliver power as torque through rotary motion: this is extracted from the linear motion of pistons in a reciprocating engine; water driving a water wheel; or forced air or water in a turbine. From the point of delivery, the components of power transmission form the drive train.

Related Topics:
Torque - Piston - Reciprocating engine - Water - Water wheel - Turbine

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Driveshafts are carriers of torque: they are subject to torsion and shear stress, which represents the difference between the input force and the load. They thus need to be strong enough to bear the stress, without imposing too great an additional inertia by virtue of the weight of the shaft.

Related Topics:
Torsion - Shear stress - Force - Load - Inertia

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