Rotor blade folding system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rotor blade assembly comprising:
- a rotor blade bearing housing foldable about a fold axis; and
a rotor blade bearing mounted to said bearing housing which defines a blade pitch axis transverse to said fold axis, said fold axis inboard of said rotor blade bearing.
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Abstract
A rotor blade folding system includes a bearing housing which supports a bearing and rotor blade spindle which folds relative the rotor hub assembly about a fold axis. The rotor blade folding system essentially collapses the rotor hub to facilitate compatibility with a fairing system. By rotating the entire pitch bearing assembly, pitch lock systems are also minimized as the pitch lock system need only react a blade-feathering moment.
51 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A rotor blade assembly comprising:
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a rotor blade bearing housing foldable about a fold axis; and a rotor blade bearing mounted to said bearing housing which defines a blade pitch axis transverse to said fold axis, said fold axis inboard of said rotor blade bearing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A rotor blade assembly comprising:
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a rotor blade bearing housing foldable about a fold axis; a rotor blade bearing mounted to said bearing housing which defines a blade pitch axis transverse to said fold axis; and a blade pitch control coupling mounted for rotation within a blade retention spindle along said blade pitch axis to operate a servo-flap assembly. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A rotor hub assembly comprising:
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a rotor hub having a rotor hub lug; a rotor blade bearing housing having a bearing housing lug pivotably engaged with said rotor hub lug about a fold axis, said bearing housing foldable relative said rotor hub about said fold axis between a folded position and a flight position; and a rotor blade bearing mounted to said bearing housing which defines a blade pitch axis transverse to said fold axis, said fold axis inboard of said bearing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of folding a rotor blade assembly of a rotary wing aircraft rotor hub assembly comprising the steps of:
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(A) mounting an elastomeric bearing assembly within a rotor blade bearing housing to support a rotor blade spindle about a blade pitch axis; and (B) folding the rotor blade bearing assembly inboard of the elastomeric bearing assembly relative a rotor hub about a fold axis transverse to the blade pitch axis. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A rotor blade assembly comprising:
a rotor blade bearing housing foldable about a fold axis an elastomeric bearing assembly within said rotor blade bearing housing, said fold axis inboard of said elastomeric bearing assembly. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
Specification