According to one aspect, a lubricant level sensing system for an actuator is provided. The lubricant level sensing system includes a pressure port in an outer housing of the actuator, a pressure sensor, and a pathway from the pressure port to the pressure sensor. The pathway establishes fluid communication between the pressure sensor and a free volume of an internal cavity of the outer housing relative to a lubricant level in the internal cavity such that the pressure sensor detects a pressure of the free volume used to derive the lubricant level.

Provided are a flap drive device and a rotorcraft blade, and more particularly, a flap drive device using a two-section link mechanism, which may be applied to a rotorcraft blade, and a rotorcraft blade including the same.

Provided are a flap drive device and a rotorcraft blade, and more particularly, a flap drive device using a two-section link mechanism, which may be applied to a rotorcraft blade, and a rotorcraft blade including the same.

An aircraft uses trajectory-based control algorithms for blade pitch (or twist). This approach greatly enhances the ability of the actuator to accurately achieve the desired blade pitch and to track the commanded pitch position. An actuator includes an electronic rotor blade controller that converts communicated or desired changes in pitch (or similar parameter) to actual physical effects that match the desired changes as closely as possible. The controller preferably includes a motor drive circuit, such as an h-bridge, a communication circuit for connection to external commands, and a processor with associated enabling circuitry (e.g. memory, I/O) to coordinate and implement the control.

An aircraft uses trajectory-based control algorithms for blade pitch (or twist). This approach greatly enhances the ability of the actuator to accurately achieve the desired blade pitch and to track the commanded pitch position. An actuator includes an electronic rotor blade controller that converts communicated or desired changes in pitch (or similar parameter) to actual physical effects that match the desired changes as closely as possible. The controller preferably includes a motor drive circuit, such as an h-bridge, a communication circuit for connection to external commands, and a processor with associated enabling circuitry (e.g. memory, I/O) to coordinate and implement the control.

A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having inboard and outboard regions, a blade body, and an internal spar, the blade body defining leading and trailing edges. A trailing edge assembly extends from and is connected to the trailing edge, and has a trailing edge flap and an actuator configured to deploy the trailing edge flap between first and second positions. In one of the first and second positions, an upper surface of the trailing edge flap conforms in profile to an upper surface of the rotor blade, and in the other, the trailing edge flap is inclined relative to the blade. During hovering flight, at least one trailing edge flap segment is deflected to enhance hover performance. During forward flight, at least one trailing edge flap segment is either not deflected for reduced effect on forward flight or is deflected for additional thrust.

A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having inboard and outboard regions, a blade body, and an internal spar, the blade body defining leading and trailing edges. A trailing edge assembly extends from and is connected to the trailing edge, and has a trailing edge flap and an actuator configured to deploy the trailing edge flap between first and second positions. In one of the first and second positions, an upper surface of the trailing edge flap conforms in profile to an upper surface of the rotor blade, and in the other, the trailing edge flap is inclined relative to the blade. During hovering flight, at least one trailing edge flap segment is deflected to enhance hover performance. During forward flight, at least one trailing edge flap segment is either not deflected for reduced effect on forward flight or is deflected for additional thrust.

Provided are a flap drive device and a rotorcraft blade, and more particularly, a flap drive device using a two-section link mechanism, which may be applied to a rotorcraft blade, and a rotorcraft blade including the same.

Provided are a flap drive device and a rotorcraft blade, and more particularly, a flap drive device using a two-section link mechanism, which may be applied to a rotorcraft blade, and a rotorcraft blade including the same.

According to one aspect, a lubricant level sensing system for an actuator is provided. The lubricant level sensing system includes a pressure port in an outer housing of the actuator, a pressure sensor, and a pathway from the pressure port to the pressure sensor. The pathway establishes fluid communication between the pressure sensor and a free volume of an internal cavity of the outer housing relative to a lubricant level in the internal cavity such that the pressure sensor detects a pressure of the free volume used to derive the lubricant level.