High Flapping Yoke Hub Assembly Using a Cylindrical Elastomeric Attachment to Avoid Holes

• US 20140271199A1
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Maresh, Andrew, Stamps, Frank Bradley, Haldeman, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 10,336,445 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 416/134.A
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 11/02 Hub construction
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/33 having flexing arms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/35 having elastomeric joints
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/48 Root attachment to rotor head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49316 Impeller making

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein a center portion of each longitudinal side portion comprises a build-up of material that is configured to accommodate a yoke hub clamp. Included is an apparatus comprising a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions. Also included is a method of coupling aircraft blades comprising providing a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a rotor yoke comprising;

two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein a center portion of each longitudinal side portion comprises a build-up of material that is configured to accommodate a yoke hub clamp.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the build-up of material in the center portion has a cross-section that is circular in shape when viewed along a yoke plane defined by the longitudinal side portions and the outboard portions.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the build-up of material in the center portion has a cross-section that is oval in shape when viewed along a yoke plane defined by the longitudinal side portions and the outboard portions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein no apertures pass through the longitudinal side portions and the outboard portions.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an aircraft fuselage comprising an engine, wherein the engine is coupled to a mast that is coupled to a yoke hub, and wherein the yoke hub is coupled to a plurality of blades through the rotor yoke.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the yoke hub comprises the yoke hub clamp.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hub clamp does not extend past the center portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a cushioning material is positioned between the hub clamp and the rotor yoke.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cushioning material comprises rubber, an elastomeric material, or a polymer material.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a rotor yoke comprising;

two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an aircraft fuselage comprising an engine, wherein the engine is coupled to a mast that is coupled to a yoke hub, wherein the yoke hub is coupled to a plurality of blades through the yoke, and wherein the yoke hub further comprises a hub clamp contoured to accept at least one rotor yoke.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a center portion of each longitudinal side portion comprises a build-up of material that is configured to accommodate a yoke hub clamp.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the hub clamp does not extend past the center portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a cushioning material is positioned between the hub clamp and the rotor yoke.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cushioning material comprises rubber, an elastomeric material, or a polymer material.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cushioning material is surrounded by a protective layer.

17. A method of coupling aircraft blades comprising:

providing a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing comprises designing the rotor yoke.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein providing comprises manufacturing the rotor yoke.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein providing comprises assembling the rotor yoke to an aircraft.