Patent ID: 7485045

Claim:
A bonded drive shaft, comprising: an elongated tube including an internal bore; at least one end fitting, the end fitting including a portion for connecting to a drive component and an elongated tubular portion positioned in the internal bore of a first end of the elongated tube, the elongated tubular portion including a first locating portion distant from the connecting portion, a second locating portion proximal to the connecting portion and an adhesive gap portion positioned between the first locating portion and the second locating portion, the first locating portion and the second locating portion having outer diameters such that they engage the internal bore of the elongated tube and center the end fitting with respect to the elongated tube, the adhesive gap portion having an external diameter such that a generally annular adhesive receiving gap is formed between the first locating portion, the second locating portion, the adhesive gap portion and the internal bore of the elongated tube; and adhesive positioned in the adhesive receiving gap to bond the end fitting to the elongated tube; wherein: the end fitting further comprises an injection port extending from an exterior of the end fitting co the adhesive receiving gap for injecting adhesive into the adhesive receiving gap; the end fitting includes an air bleed port positioned on the first locating portion axially distally from the injection port, the air bleed port connecting between the adhesive receiving gap and a portion of the internal bore of the elongated tube axially inward from the end fitting; the air bleed port is also positioned approximately 180° around a circumference of the end fitting from the injection port.