Patent classifications
B64C27/605
Hydraulic actuator force fight mitigation mechanism
A control valve for a multi-stage hydraulic actuator includes a valve body defining a translation axis, a spool disposed within the valve body and movable along the translation axis, and a flange. The flange is fixed relative to the spool and has an aperture disposed externally of the valve body to removably fix the spool to a spool of a redundant control valve independently connected to the multi-stage hydraulic actuator for mitigating force fights between actuators coupled to the control valve.
Hydraulic actuator force fight mitigation mechanism
A control valve for a multi-stage hydraulic actuator includes a valve body defining a translation axis, a spool disposed within the valve body and movable along the translation axis, and a flange. The flange is fixed relative to the spool and has an aperture disposed externally of the valve body to removably fix the spool to a spool of a redundant control valve independently connected to the multi-stage hydraulic actuator for mitigating force fights between actuators coupled to the control valve.
Dynamically adjustable rotorcraft swashplate with undulating surface
A rotorcraft swashplate assembly includes a rotationally fixed swashplate fixed against rotating with a rotorcraft rotor. The swashplate assembly also includes a rotatable swashplate coupled to the rotor to rotate with the rotor. The swashplate assembly also includes multiple pitch change links, each pitch change link coupled to a respective rotor blade and to the rotatable swashplate to rotate with the rotor. The swashplate assembly also includes an annular track coupled to the rotationally fixed swashplate and configured to support each pitch change link riding on the annular track as each pitch change link rotates with the rotor. The track includes multiple bearings upon which a pitch change link rides, and actuators that move the bearings changing a shape of the annular track and thereby the pitch of each rotor blade as each pitch change link rides on the annular track during rotation of the rotor blades.
Dynamically adjustable rotorcraft swashplate with undulating surface
A rotorcraft swashplate assembly includes a rotationally fixed swashplate fixed against rotating with a rotorcraft rotor. The swashplate assembly also includes a rotatable swashplate coupled to the rotor to rotate with the rotor. The swashplate assembly also includes multiple pitch change links, each pitch change link coupled to a respective rotor blade and to the rotatable swashplate to rotate with the rotor. The swashplate assembly also includes an annular track coupled to the rotationally fixed swashplate and configured to support each pitch change link riding on the annular track as each pitch change link rotates with the rotor. The track includes multiple bearings upon which a pitch change link rides, and actuators that move the bearings changing a shape of the annular track and thereby the pitch of each rotor blade as each pitch change link rides on the annular track during rotation of the rotor blades.
Scissorless swashplate uniball
A swashplate assembly of a rotary wing aircraft includes a first component, a second component arranged concentrically with the first component, and a bearing disposed between the first component and the second component. The bearing includes a spherical bearing and at least one bearing roller element and is operable to transmit torque between the first component and the second component.
Scissorless swashplate uniball
A swashplate assembly of a rotary wing aircraft includes a first component, a second component arranged concentrically with the first component, and a bearing disposed between the first component and the second component. The bearing includes a spherical bearing and at least one bearing roller element and is operable to transmit torque between the first component and the second component.
Pitch horn joint
A rotor assembly includes a pitch spider, rotor blade assemblies, and pitch horn joints. The pitch spider has a body and pitch spider legs extending from the body. Each blade rotor assembly includes a rotor blade, a pitch adapter joined to the rotor blade and connecting the rotor blade to the rotor hub, and a pitch horn. Each pitch horn joint joins one of the rotor blade assemblies to a corresponding pitch spider leg. Each pitch horn joint includes a pitch horn joint bolt extending from the pitch horn of the rotor blade assembly to the pitch spider leg along a pitch horn joint axis, the pitch horn joint bolt fixed to the pitch horn; a spherical bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring; and a slider sleeve coupled to the spherical bearing, the slider sleeve enabling the pitch horn to translate along the pitch horn joint axis.
Pitch horn joint
A rotor assembly includes a pitch spider, rotor blade assemblies, and pitch horn joints. The pitch spider has a body and pitch spider legs extending from the body. Each blade rotor assembly includes a rotor blade, a pitch adapter joined to the rotor blade and connecting the rotor blade to the rotor hub, and a pitch horn. Each pitch horn joint joins one of the rotor blade assemblies to a corresponding pitch spider leg. Each pitch horn joint includes a pitch horn joint bolt extending from the pitch horn of the rotor blade assembly to the pitch spider leg along a pitch horn joint axis, the pitch horn joint bolt fixed to the pitch horn; a spherical bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring; and a slider sleeve coupled to the spherical bearing, the slider sleeve enabling the pitch horn to translate along the pitch horn joint axis.
ROTORCRAFT LOCKOUT DURING TRANSPORT
An exemplary rotorcraft lockout system includes a main rotor lockout comprising a base operable to be attached to a bottom surface of a fuselage and a first and a second tension arm operable to be connected to the base and a main rotor hub, and a tail rotor lockout including a clamp operable to connect to a horizontal stabilizer, a rotor arm connector operable to connect to a tail rotor hub, and a tail rotor tension arm operable to interconnect the clamp and the rotor arm connector in tension.
ROTORCRAFT LOCKOUT DURING TRANSPORT
An exemplary rotorcraft lockout system includes a main rotor lockout comprising a base operable to be attached to a bottom surface of a fuselage and a first and a second tension arm operable to be connected to the base and a main rotor hub, and a tail rotor lockout including a clamp operable to connect to a horizontal stabilizer, a rotor arm connector operable to connect to a tail rotor hub, and a tail rotor tension arm operable to interconnect the clamp and the rotor arm connector in tension.