Communication device, an aircraft rotor, and an aircraft

• US 8,957,816 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2013
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Original Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Inventors: Imbert, Nicolas, Chuc, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, DIEU HIEN
• Application Number:
  US13/741,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20130194140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 343/705, 343/708, 343/893, 416/146.R
• US Class Current: 343/705
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/04 Helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/605 including swash plate, spider or cam mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 15/12 by electric heating electric heating elements in general H05B
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/28 Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

A communication device (20) for communication between a movable piece of equipment (101) of a rotary rotor (5) and a stationary piece of equipment (102). Said communication device (20) is fitted with a set (10) of controlling swashplates including a rotary swashplate (11) and a non-rotary swashplate (12), the communication device (20) comprising a movable transfer unit (21) and a stationary transfer unit (22) for exchanging information respectively with the movable equipment (101) and with the stationary equipment (102). Each transfer unit (21, 22) is connected to a respective transmit-and-receive antenna (31, 32), including a movable antenna (31) connected to the movable transfer unit (21) and fastened to the rotary swashplate (11) and a stationary antenna (32) connected to the stationary transfer unit (22) and fastened to the non-rotary swashplate (12), the movable antenna (31) and the stationary antenna (32) being suitable for communicating with each other wirelessly.

Claims

1. A communication device for providing communication between a movable piece of equipment of a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation (AX), and a stationary piece of equipment placed on a carrier structure for said rotor, said communication device being fitted with a set of controlling swashplates including a rotary swashplate and a non-rotary swashplate for pitch control of blades of said rotor, said communication device comprising a movable transfer unit and a stationary transfer unit that exchange information respectively with the movable equipment and with the stationary equipment, wherein each transfer unit is connected to a respective transmit-and-receive antenna, including a movable antenna connected to the movable transfer unit and fastened to the rotary swashplate and a stationary antenna connected to the stationary transfer unit and fastened to the non-rotary swashplate, the movable antenna and the stationary antenna being suitable for communicating with each other wirelessly, the communication device including firstly a rotary ring secured to the rotary swashplate and carrying the movable antenna and secondly a non-rotary ring secured to the non-rotary swashplate and carrying the stationary antenna facing the movable antenna, at least one of the swashplates presenting a groove receiving an antenna.

2. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least one antenna is a circular antenna.

3. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein a ring presents a groove receiving an antenna and encompassing the other ring.

4. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein said rotary ring has a U-shaped section defining a cavity in which the movable antenna and the non-rotary ring fitted with the stationary antenna are received.

5. A communication device according to claim 4, wherein the communication device includes a gasket partially closing said cavity.

6. A communication device according to claim 4, wherein at least one ring is provided with antistatic paint on a surface defining said cavity.

7. A rotor provided with a hub carrying a plurality of variable-pitch blades, and a mast carrying said hub, said rotor having a communication device for communication between a movable piece of equipment of the rotor and a stationary piece of equipment placed on a carrier structure for carrying the rotor, said rotor having a communication device fitted with a controlling swashplate assembly including a rotary swashplate and a non-rotary swashplate hinged to said mast in order to control said pitch of the blades, said communication device comprising a movable transfer unit and a stationary transfer unit for exchanging information respectively with the movable equipment and with the stationary equipment, wherein said communication device is a device according to claim 1.

8. An aircraft having a rotor and a carrier structure for carrying the rotor, wherein said rotor is a rotor according to claim 7.