METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOLDING/UNFOLDING THE BLADES OF A ROTARY-WING AIRCRAFT ROTOR
First Claim
1. A method of folding/unfolding at least one blade of a multi-bladed rotor of a rotary-wing aircraft, with at least a first blade being connected to a hub of the rotor by a coupling comprising a pivotal connection defining a pivot axis and a releasable connection, release of which allows its blade to be pivoted about its pivot axis between an unfolded position and a folded position, the method comprising steps:
- (a) removably attaching at least one variable-length linear actuator to the first blade and a second blade, each locked in a fixed position with respect to the hub which is itself locked stationary;
(b) releasing the first blade from its fixed position with respect to the hub;
(c) actuating the linear actuator to vary its length and bear against the second blade, thereby pivoting the first blade about its pivot axis to a new position with respect to the hub; and
(d) locking the first blade in the new position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To fold/unfold blades of a rotor, at least one variable-length linear actuator is removably attached to two blades locked in the flight position. A first blade is unlocked, and the actuator is actuated to vary its length and bear against the other blade which remains locked. This causes the first blade to pivot about its pivot axis and move to a folded position where it is again locked. The other blade is then unlocked and the actuator once again actuated but this time bearing against the first blade. In this way the other blade pivots into the folded position where it is again locked. The two locked folded blades may be connected to each other by a link rod. Rotors with three blades, four blades, five and six blades can be folded/unfolded with only two actuators.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of folding/unfolding at least one blade of a multi-bladed rotor of a rotary-wing aircraft, with at least a first blade being connected to a hub of the rotor by a coupling comprising a pivotal connection defining a pivot axis and a releasable connection, release of which allows its blade to be pivoted about its pivot axis between an unfolded position and a folded position, the method comprising steps:
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(a) removably attaching at least one variable-length linear actuator to the first blade and a second blade, each locked in a fixed position with respect to the hub which is itself locked stationary;
(b) releasing the first blade from its fixed position with respect to the hub;
(c) actuating the linear actuator to vary its length and bear against the second blade, thereby pivoting the first blade about its pivot axis to a new position with respect to the hub; and
(d) locking the first blade in the new position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for folding/unfolding at least one blade of a multi-bladed rotor of a rotary-wing aircraft, with at least a first blade being connected to a hub of the rotor by a coupling comprising a pivotal connection defining a pivot axis and a releasable connection, release of which allows its blade to be pivoted about its pivot axis between an unfolded position and folded position, the apparatus comprising:
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at least one variable length, removable linear actuator configured to be removably attached to two adjacent blades of the rotor and to exert forces in either direction along its longitudinal axis on two blades connected by the linear actuator; and
connectors for removably attaching the linear actuator to two adjacent blades, each connector comprising an end fitting integral with the linear actuator and an attachment device configured for attachment to one blade, the end fitting and the attachment device being releasably interconnectable. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification