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.

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.

A rotor hub assembly includes a yoke and a high capacity laminated (HCL) bearing, comprising layers of elastomeric material and layers of metal. The HCL bearing is affixed to the yoke to prevent separation of the HCL bearing from the yoke.

A rotor hub assembly includes a yoke and a high capacity laminated (HCL) bearing, comprising layers of elastomeric material and layers of metal. The HCL bearing is affixed to the yoke to prevent separation of the HCL bearing from the yoke.

A bearing assembly is for movably coupling a first member having a centerline and displaceable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the centerline and a second member displaceable about the centerline and/or another axis perpendicular to the centerline. The bearing assembly includes a laminated bearing having an inner axial end coupled with the second member and an outer axial end spaced from the inner end along the first member centerline and coupleable with the first member. A clutch mechanism releasably couples the bearing outer axial end with the first member when the first member angularly displaces about the rotation axis. The clutch mechanism preferably has a first portion connected with the bearing outer axial end, a second portion coupled with the first member and engageable with the first portion to couple the two members, and a biasing member spaces apart the two clutch portions when the first member is non-rotational.

An inboard bearing attachment for carrying centrifugal force (“CF”) loads in a rotor blade assembly of a rotorcraft includes a CF fitting having a curved surface and a shear bearing retainer aligned with the curved surface. A mounting flange connected to either the CF fitting or the shear bearing retainer is used to mount the inboard bearing attachment to a yoke.

A hybrid bearing system includes a self-lubricated bearing assembly including a self-lubricated bearing element and at least one elastomeric bearing assembly arranged adjacent the self-lubricated bearing assembly. The elastomeric bearing assembly is torsionally mated with the self-lubricated bearing element as a torsional load is applied about an axis of the self-lubricated bearing.

A hybrid bearing system includes a self-lubricated bearing assembly including a self-lubricated bearing element and at least one elastomeric bearing assembly arranged adjacent the self-lubricated bearing assembly. The elastomeric bearing assembly is torsionally mated with the self-lubricated bearing element as a torsional load is applied about an axis of the self-lubricated bearing.

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.

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.