Abstract:
A mounting assembly (100) is provided for securing a helicopter snubber bearing (70) to a bearingless rotor assembly (10) which includes a flexbeam connector (22) mounted to a torque drive hub member (18). The mounting assembly (100) includes a retainer fixture (102) for mounting a retainer (104) which engages an inner bearing race portion (88) of the snubber bearing (70). The retainer fixture (102) is mounted to the flexbeam connector (22) and includes an inboard end portion (112), a restraint portion (114) extending radially outboard thereof, and a seat portion (116) disposed therebetween. The retainer (104) is disposed in register with, and is compliantly bonded to, the seat portion (116) of the retainer fixture (102), and furthermore abuts the restraint portion (114) which provides redundant retention therefor. Furthermore, the seat portion (116) of the retainer fixture (102) is reduced in width dimension to reduce flap and pitch induced shear stresses.
Abstract:
A thermal barrier coating for high temperature applications has improved resistance to heat flow. The coating comprises a large number of these (nanometer scale) layers separated by interfaces which are effective in retarding heat flow. The coating material will typically be oxide based ceramics and the coating has particular applications in gas turbine engines.
Abstract:
A brush seal assembly (42) includes a tab (84) extending outward and engageable with a brush retainer (64). Various construction details are disclosed that provide a tab (84) that prevents rotation of the brush seal during use and also prevents reverse installation of the brush seal assembly (42). In a particular embodiment, a brush seal assembly (42) for installation within a carrier (58) includes a tab (84) that fits radially within a cut-out (92) in a retaining means (64). Engagement with the cut-out (92) prevents rotation. The tab (84) extends outward from the low pressured side of the brush seal assembly (42). If installed in a reverse orientation, the tab (84) engages the carrier (58) to block installation of the retaining means (64).
Abstract:
Static pressure sensing and free airstream temperature sensing is obviated in a method for determining aircraft velocity relative to an airmass by utilizing a static pressure and temperature component present in pressure variations sensed by a total pressure sensor located on a rotating arm mounted on the fuselage of an aircraft. A harmonic analysis of a quasi-sinusoidal total pressure variation includes a determination of steady state and both first and second harmonic components. These harmonic components are used to determine the static pressure, the free airstream temperature and the aircraft airspeed without separately sensing these parameters.
Abstract:
The rotor blades of a helicopter are balanced both in the chordal direction and in the spanwise direction in a static balancing assembly. The assembly includes a support surface (4) on which there are four weighing scales (8). The scales (8) are positioned in close proximity with the four corners of the rotor blade (2). The scales (8) provide four cooperating pairs of blade spanwise and chordwise balancing reference data. The scales (8) are operably connected to a microprocessor which is preprogrammed with desired balance data for the blades being tested. Deviations from the desired balance data detected by the scales and the microprocessor are corrected by selectively adding or subtracting weight on the blades at appropriate locations of the surfaces thereof.
Abstract:
A rotatable seal element (38) is formed of at least two circumferentially continuous rings (48, 50). The rings have decreased thickness (T2, T3) in the outward direction. Various construction details are developed which effect the level of cyclic fatigue life. In one particular embodiment, the seal element has a flat surface (74) extending inwardly from the sides at the interface between the rings.
Abstract:
A stator structure such as the fan casing (34) of a gas turbine engine extending circumferentially about an array of rotor blades is disclosed. Various construction details which increase the surge margin of the construction with a minimal impact on aerodynamic efficiency are developed. In one particular embodiment, the fan casing has a groove region (62) which extends radially outwardly of the mid-chord region (58) of the blades. The groove region has a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves (38) which are interrupted in a circumferential direction by a plurality of dams (42).
Abstract:
Higher oxidation resistance and high-temperature life result when from 0.01 to 0.30 weight percent of an additive selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, and mixtures thereof is present in a nickel-base superalloy substrate bearing a diffusion aluminide coating.
Abstract:
An unmanned arerial vehicle (UAV) has a toroidal fuselage and a rotor assembly having a pair of counter-rotating rotors secured in fixed coaxial combination with the toroidal fuselage to provide a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability for the UAV. One embodiment of the VTOL UAV is especially configured for ground surveillance missions by the inclusion of an externally mounted, remotely controllable stowable sensor subsystem (250) that provides an azimuthal scanning capability and a predetermined elevation/depression scanning capability to accomplish the ground surveillance mission and a foldable landing gear subsystem (300) to facilitate landing of the VTOL UAV at unprepared ground surveillance sites. The foldable landing gear subsystem includes a plurality of legs (302), one end of each leg being detachably secured in combination with the toroidal fuselage, a foot that includes a pad member (312) pivotally attached to the other end of each leg, and a non-structural hinge secured to each leg and the toroidal fuselage. The non-structural hinges (306) provide the capability to fold the landing gear subsystem to a stowage configuration wherein each leg, pivoting foot combination is folded within the envelope of the toroidal fuselage.
Abstract:
An assembly of a bulkhead (48) and fuel nozzle guide (62) for a fuel nozzle (46) disposed in a combustion chamber (24) is disclosed. Various construction details which provide for convection cooling of the various components of the assembly are developed. In one detailed embodiment, the nozzle fuel guide (62) is spaced from the bulkhead (48) to form an annular gap (G1) which is divided by a heat shield (72) into annular orifices (108, 112) for supplying to cooling air passages (126, 128) bounded by the heat shield (72).