A multi-blade rotor of a rotary wing aircraft, the multi-blade rotor comprising at least one rotor blade that defines a pitch axis and that is provided with an associated pitch-control lever that is operatively coupled to a pitch link rod, the pitch link rod defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the associated pitch-control lever comprises an accommodation that is located on the longitudinal axis of the pitch link rod at a predetermined distance from the pitch axis of the at least one rotor blade, the pitch link rod being operatively coupled to the associated pitch-control lever at the accommodation of the associated pitch-control lever, wherein the predetermined distance is adjustable in order to enable adjustment of track and balance of the multi-blade rotor.

A helicopter includes annular rotors surrounding a fuselage. Rotor blades extend radially outwardly from each annular rotor. One or more motors is provided. Each motor rotates a roller, which drives each annular rotor by traction. In an embodiment with two rotors, one rotor rotates in one direction and the other rotor rotates in the opposite direction. A swash device with a grooved outer cylindrical surface engages the free end of a crank arm of each rotor blade to provide collective and cyclic pitch control. Actuators, which may be electromechanical or hydraulic, control positioning and movement of the swash device. Batteries, an electric generator and/or a hydrogen fuel cell may supply electric power.

A control rod assembly is provided for moving a control surface of a flight vehicle. The control rod assembly includes a first connector for connecting to a first structure of vehicle, and a second connector for connecting to a second structure of the vehicle. A connecting rod may be operably coupled between the first and second connectors, and an actuator may be operably coupled to the connecting rod. The actuator may include a screw-and-nut assembly, and a motor that is configured to drive the screw-and-nut assembly. The actuator may be operable such that driving the screw-and-nut assembly via the motor causes the connecting rod to translate linearly along a longitudinal axis to thereby vary a distance between the first and second connectors. The actuators may be electromechanical actuators which may be controlled by a controller without pilot interaction. Two such actuators may be provided on opposite sides of the assembly.

An exemplary rotorcraft includes a power train with an engine coupled to a gearbox, a main rotor blade having a mast coupled to the power train, a control input linkage in communication between a pilot input device and the main rotor blade configured to communicate a control input force from the pilot input device to the main rotor blade, and a counterweight system in connection with the control input linkage and the power train to apply a centrifugal force to the control input linkage.

An exemplary rotorcraft includes a power train with an engine coupled to a gearbox, a main rotor blade having a mast coupled to the power train, a control input linkage in communication between a pilot input device and the main rotor blade configured to communicate a control input force from the pilot input device to the main rotor blade, and a counterweight system in connection with the control input linkage and the power train to apply a centrifugal force to the control input linkage.

In one embodiment, a rotor hub comprises a yoke for attaching a plurality of rotor blades, a constant velocity joint to drive torque from a mast to the yoke and to enable the yoke to pivot, and a rotor control system configured to adjust an orientation of the plurality of rotor blades. Moreover, the rotor control system comprises: a swashplate, a phase adapter fulcrum, a plurality of actuators controlled based on a flight control input, a plurality of lower pitch links configured to transfer motion between the plurality of actuators and the swashplate, a plurality of phase adjustment levers configured to adjust a control phase associated with motion transferred between the plurality of actuators and the plurality of lower pitch links, and a plurality of upper pitch links configured to adjust a pitch of the plurality of rotor blades, wherein there are more upper pitch links than lower pitch links.

An embodiment includes a system for controlling blade pitch in a rotorcraft having an engine; a drive shaft with a first end and a second end and connected at the first end to the engine; a rotor with two or more blades connected to the second end of the drive shaft; and one or more actuators positioned adjacent to the rotor blades operable to change a blade pitch of the rotor blades.

An aircraft is provided and includes a non-rotating frame, an engine disposed in the non-rotating frame, a rotating frame, which is drivable by the engine to rotate relative to the non-rotating frame to generate lift and thrust, the rotating frame including a hub and rotor blades extending outwardly from the hub, an actuation system including electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) respectively disposed in the rotating frame between the hub and the rotor blades, each EMA including a rotary inductive device, a gear train associated with each EMA and the corresponding rotary inductive device to convert linear displacements of a piston responsive to rotor blade lead/lag into rotation of the rotary inductive device and a controller that controls the rotary inductive device to operate, in a first mode, as a motor which drives the gear train, and, in a second mode, as a generator which is driven by the gear train.

A hub for a rotary wing aircraft includes a plurality of rotor blades, and a heat dissipation system including an aerodynamic faring arranged outwardly of the hub. The aerodynamic fairing has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a component receiving zone. An electronic component is mounted to the inner surface of the aerodynamic faring in the component receiving zone.

A method of manufacturing a control cuff for a rotor blade of a hinge and bearingless rotor. The method comprises at least the steps of: manufacturing an outer shell, manufacturing a stiffener member by means of an automated process, inserting the stiffener member into the outer shell, and bonding the stiffener member to the outer shell.