B64C27/35

Rotorcraft centrifugal force bearing

A centrifugal force (CF) bearing for a rotorcraft rotor assembly includes an inner-member, an outer-member, and an elastic member interposed between the inner- and outer-members. The inner-member includes a boss configured for location to and engagement with a yoke. The boss includes a tapered profile (e.g., conic) portion. A tapered recess region of the yoke includes a profile that is substantially matched to receive and contact the tapered profile of the boss. The CF bearing is configured for attachment to a grip of the rotor assembly. The boss is configured to communicate mechanical loads (e.g., centrifugal force, lateral shear, vertical shear) from the grip to the yoke during operation of the rotor assembly.

Rotorcraft centrifugal force bearing

A centrifugal force (CF) bearing for a rotorcraft rotor assembly includes an inner-member, an outer-member, and an elastic member interposed between the inner- and outer-members. The inner-member includes a boss configured for location to and engagement with a yoke. The boss includes a tapered profile (e.g., conic) portion. A tapered recess region of the yoke includes a profile that is substantially matched to receive and contact the tapered profile of the boss. The CF bearing is configured for attachment to a grip of the rotor assembly. The boss is configured to communicate mechanical loads (e.g., centrifugal force, lateral shear, vertical shear) from the grip to the yoke during operation of the rotor assembly.

Rotorcraft centrifugal force bearing

A centrifugal force (CF) bearing for a rotorcraft rotor assembly includes an inner-member, an outer-member, and an elastic member interposed between the inner- and outer-members. The outer-member includes an upper flange extension and a lower flange extension for location to and engagement with a grip. The upper flange extension is disposed over an upper surface portion of the elastic member, and the lower flange extension is disposed under a lower surface portion of the elastic member. The CF bearing is configured for attachment to a grip of the rotor assembly. The outer-member is configured to communicate mechanical loads (e.g., centrifugal force, lateral shear, vertical shear) from the grip to the yoke during operation of the rotor assembly.

Rotorcraft centrifugal force bearing

A centrifugal force (CF) bearing for a rotorcraft rotor assembly includes an inner-member, an outer-member, and an elastic member interposed between the inner- and outer-members. The outer-member includes an upper flange extension and a lower flange extension for location to and engagement with a grip. The upper flange extension is disposed over an upper surface portion of the elastic member, and the lower flange extension is disposed under a lower surface portion of the elastic member. The CF bearing is configured for attachment to a grip of the rotor assembly. The outer-member is configured to communicate mechanical loads (e.g., centrifugal force, lateral shear, vertical shear) from the grip to the yoke during operation of the rotor assembly.

ROTOR SYSTEM WITH A U-SHAPED BEAM MEMBER
20200331599 · 2020-10-22 ·

A rotor system for a rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor hub including a first beam attachment member and a second beam attachment member. A hub arm including a U-shaped beam member is connected to the rotor hub. The U-shaped beam member includes a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate section connecting the first and second end portions. The first end portion is connected at the first beam attachment member. The second end portion is connected at the second beam attachment member. A pitch change bearing is mounted between the first and second beam attachment member through the first end portion and the second end portion.

Bearing for axial stiffening

An example of a hub for a tail rotor includes a body configured to couple to a mast of a rotor system, a trunnion disposed within the body, first and second shafts disposed on opposite sides of the trunnion, first and second end plates secured to the body, and first and second end bearings, the first end bearing disposed between the first shaft and the first end plate and the second end bearing disposed between the second shaft and the second end plate.

Bearing for axial stiffening

An example of a hub for a tail rotor includes a body configured to couple to a mast of a rotor system, a trunnion disposed within the body, first and second shafts disposed on opposite sides of the trunnion, first and second end plates secured to the body, and first and second end bearings, the first end bearing disposed between the first shaft and the first end plate and the second end bearing disposed between the second shaft and the second end plate.

Soft-in-plane proprotor systems

A soft-in-plane proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode. The proprotor system includes a hub, a plurality of proprotor blades and a plurality of blade support assemblies coupling the proprotor blades with the hub. Each blade support assembly includes a flapping bearing coupled to the hub and a yoke having first and second longitudinal sections with outboard grip members and an inboard arcuate section connecting the first and second longitudinal sections and coupled to the flapping bearing. A lead-lag damper is coupled between the hub and an inboard station of the respective proprotor blade. A twist shank is coupled between the outboard grip members of the yoke and an outboard station of the respective the proprotor blade. The twist shank defines a virtual lead-lag hinge outboard of the yoke and coincident with the respective pitch change axis.

Soft-in-plane proprotor systems

A soft-in-plane proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode. The proprotor system includes a hub, a plurality of proprotor blades and a plurality of blade support assemblies coupling the proprotor blades with the hub. Each blade support assembly includes a flapping bearing coupled to the hub and a yoke having first and second longitudinal sections with outboard grip members and an inboard arcuate section connecting the first and second longitudinal sections and coupled to the flapping bearing. A lead-lag damper is coupled between the hub and an inboard station of the respective proprotor blade. A twist shank is coupled between the outboard grip members of the yoke and an outboard station of the respective the proprotor blade. The twist shank defines a virtual lead-lag hinge outboard of the yoke and coincident with the respective pitch change axis.

TENSION-TORSION STRAP

A tension-torsion strap, for example for a rotor aircraft, including a continuous length of carbon fiber tow arranged in multiple loops to form an elongated member extending between opposing ends and a flexible cover encasing the carbon fiber tow.