Low Shear Modulus Transition Shim for Elastomeric Bearing Bonding in Torsional Applications

• US 20140255191A1
• Filed: 03/11/2013
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Stamps, Frank Bradley, Sottiaux, Daniel P., Jarrett, Chad Lewis
• Granted Patent: US 9,879,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 416/134.A
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/33 having flexing arms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/35 having elastomeric joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 27/02 Sliding-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/04 Brasses; Bushes; Linings
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/3842 Method of assembly, production or treatment; Mounting thereof supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing F16L3/00

Abstract

A bearing assembly comprises a bearing, a shim disposed within the bearing, and a component disposed within the shim. The shim comprises a first material, the component comprises a second material, and the first material has an elastic modulus value that is lower than an elastic modulus value of the second material. An apparatus comprises an elastomeric bearing, a fiberglass shim, and a steel spindle that is connected to the elastomeric bearing through the shim. A method for reducing strain in an adhesive layer that connects a bearing to a component comprises selecting a shim material having an elastic modulus value that is less than an elastic modulus value of the component and providing instructions to connect the component to the shim by placing the adhesive layer between an outer surface of the component and an inner surface of the shim.

Claims

1. A bearing assembly comprising:

a bearing;

a shim disposed within the bearing; and

a component disposed within the shim,

wherein the shim comprises a first material,

wherein the component comprises a second material, and

wherein the first material has an elastic modulus value that is lower than an elastic modulus value of the second material.

2. The bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a composite material, and wherein the second material comprises a metal.

3. The bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein the composite material comprises fiberglass or carbon fiber, and wherein the metal comprises steel.

4. The bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing comprises an elastomeric bearing.

5. The bearing assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between the shim and the bearing.

6. The bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing comprises a helicopter rotor shear bearing.

7. The bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a spindle of a rotor grip.

8. An apparatus comprising:

an elastomeric bearing;

a fiberglass shim; and

a steel rotor blade spindle that is connected to the elastomeric bearing through the shim.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an adhesive layer that is disposed between the fiberglass shim and the steel rotor blade spindle.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a pitch horn that is attached to one end of the steel rotor blade spindle and that is configured to rotate the steel rotor blade spindle within the elastomeric bearing.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the elastomeric bearing comprises alternating elastic and rigid layers.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the elastomeric bearing comprises a rotor shear bearing.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the steel spindle is a component of a rotor grip that is configured to rotate a rotor blade, wherein the rotor grip and the rotor blade are components of a rotor assembly, wherein the apparatus further comprises an engine, a drive shaft, a transmission, a mast, and a fuselage, wherein power from the engine is transferred to the rotor assembly through the drive shaft, the transmission, and the mast, and wherein the fuselage houses and supports at least a portion of the engine, the drive shaft, the transmission, and the mast.

14. A method for reducing strain in an adhesive layer that connects a bearing to a component comprising:

selecting a shim material having an elastic modulus value that is less than an elastic modulus value of the component; and

providing instructions to connect the component to the shim by placing the adhesive layer between an outer surface of the component and an inner surface of the shim.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the instructions comprises providing instructions to bond the component to the shim using fiberglass strands or carbon fibers.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the instructions comprises providing instructions to remove gas bubbles from the adhesive layer using a vacuum.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the instructions comprises providing instructions to dispose the shim within the bearing before the component is connected to the shim.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a shape of the shim.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein selecting the shape of the shim comprises selecting a shim having an annular cylinder shape.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein selecting the shape of the shim comprises selecting a shim having an annular tapered shape.