B64C27/35

Inboard bearing assemblies with improved accessibility

A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms each having an inboard pocket. Each of a plurality of bearing assemblies is disposed at least partially within one of the inboard pockets. Each of a plurality of inboard beams is disposed at least partially between a centrifugal force bearing and a shear bearing of each bearing assembly and has a proprotor blade coupled thereto. Each of a plurality of latch assemblies selectively couples one of the bearing assemblies to the yoke. Each latch assembly is rotatable relative to the yoke between an engaged position wherein the latch assembly is engagable with one of the bearing assemblies to couple the bearing assembly to the yoke and a disengaged position wherein the latch assembly is disengaged from the respective bearing assembly enabling installation and removal of the respective bearing assembly relative to the respective pocket.

Rotor hub with structural reinforcements

In one embodiment, a rotor hub comprises a hub plate, a yoke for attaching a plurality of rotor blades, a plurality of yoke support bearings, and a plurality of cushioned damper bearings for attaching a plurality of dampers.

Rotor hub with structural reinforcements

In one embodiment, a rotor hub comprises a hub plate, a yoke for attaching a plurality of rotor blades, a plurality of yoke support bearings, and a plurality of cushioned damper bearings for attaching a plurality of dampers.

Hub bolt supported inboard bearing assemblies

A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having helicopter and airplane flight modes includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms each having an inboard pocket. Each of a plurality of bearing assemblies is disposed at least partially within one of the inboard pockets with each bearing assembly including a bearing cage, a shear bearing and a centrifugal force bearing. Each of a plurality of inboard beams is disposed at least partially between one of the centrifugal force bearings and one of the shear bearings. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to one of the inboard beams. Hub bolts couple each of the bearing cages to the yoke such that the hub bolts provide centrifugal force load paths between the bearing assemblies and the yoke inboard of the inboard pockets.

Hub bolt supported inboard bearing assemblies

A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having helicopter and airplane flight modes includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms each having an inboard pocket. Each of a plurality of bearing assemblies is disposed at least partially within one of the inboard pockets with each bearing assembly including a bearing cage, a shear bearing and a centrifugal force bearing. Each of a plurality of inboard beams is disposed at least partially between one of the centrifugal force bearings and one of the shear bearings. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to one of the inboard beams. Hub bolts couple each of the bearing cages to the yoke such that the hub bolts provide centrifugal force load paths between the bearing assemblies and the yoke inboard of the inboard pockets.

Inboard bearing assemblies having independent shoes

A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter flight mode and an airplane flight mode includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms each having an inboard pocket with a load transfer surface. Each of a plurality of bearing assemblies is disposed at least partially within one of the inboard pockets. Each of a plurality of inboard beams is disposed at least partially between a centrifugal force bearing and a shear bearing of each bearing assembly and has a proprotor blade coupled thereto. Each of a plurality of independent shoes is coupled between one of the centrifugal force bearings and the yoke. Each shoe has a load transfer surface that has a contact relationship with the load transfer surface of the respective inboard pocket forming a centrifugal force load path therebetween.

Inboard bearing assemblies having independent shoes

A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter flight mode and an airplane flight mode includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms each having an inboard pocket with a load transfer surface. Each of a plurality of bearing assemblies is disposed at least partially within one of the inboard pockets. Each of a plurality of inboard beams is disposed at least partially between a centrifugal force bearing and a shear bearing of each bearing assembly and has a proprotor blade coupled thereto. Each of a plurality of independent shoes is coupled between one of the centrifugal force bearings and the yoke. Each shoe has a load transfer surface that has a contact relationship with the load transfer surface of the respective inboard pocket forming a centrifugal force load path therebetween.

Inboard bearing assemblies having load transfer shoe bolts

A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having helicopter and airplane flight modes includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms each having an inboard pocket with an outboard surface. Each of a plurality of bearing assemblies is disposed at least partially within one of the inboard pockets with each bearing assembly including a shear bearing and a centrifugal force bearing having an integral shoe with an outboard surface. Each of a plurality of inboard beams is disposed at least partially between one of the centrifugal force bearings and one of the shear bearings. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to one of the inboard beams. The integral shoes are coupled to the yoke such that there is a spaced apart relationship between the outboard surfaces of the integral shoes and the outboard surfaces of the pockets to prevent centrifugal force load transfer therebetween.

Inboard bearing assemblies having load transfer shoe bolts

A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having helicopter and airplane flight modes includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms each having an inboard pocket with an outboard surface. Each of a plurality of bearing assemblies is disposed at least partially within one of the inboard pockets with each bearing assembly including a shear bearing and a centrifugal force bearing having an integral shoe with an outboard surface. Each of a plurality of inboard beams is disposed at least partially between one of the centrifugal force bearings and one of the shear bearings. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to one of the inboard beams. The integral shoes are coupled to the yoke such that there is a spaced apart relationship between the outboard surfaces of the integral shoes and the outboard surfaces of the pockets to prevent centrifugal force load transfer therebetween.

ROTOR HUB
20190344884 · 2019-11-14 ·

A rotor hub is presented that uses a low profile and frontal area design that reduces drag and combines the advantages of utilizing a virtual flapping hinge and a soft in-plane rotor hub.