Abstract:
A rotor blade for an aircraft includes a composite portion having fiber-reinforced resin material, the composite portion having an outside surface that forms at least a partial airfoil shape. The weighted portion includes a plurality of weighted material layers and a plurality of fiber-reinforced resin material layers. Weighted material is configured to be compatible with and integrated into composite manufacturing processes used to fabricate the rotor blade. The weighted portion has a higher density than the composite portion and positioned to produce desired mass balance characteristics of the rotor blade.
Abstract:
A tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotatable nacelle that supports a rotor assembly and is pivotally attached to the air-craft's fuselage. A wing extension attaches to an outboard section of the nacelle. The wing extension provides additional yaw control during helicopter mode and additional lift during airplane mode. A method for controlling at least a portion of yaw movement includes positioning the rotor assembly in helicopter mode, creating rotor wash with the rotor assembly, and pivotally rotating the wing extension in the rotor wash.
Abstract:
A constant-velocity drive system for an aircraft rotor has a gimbal mechanism and a differential torque-combining mechanism. The gimbal mechanism has gimbals driven in rotation by a rotor mast about a mast axis, the gimbals providing for gimballing relative to the mast about gimbal axes generally perpendicular to the mast axis. The differential torque-combining mechanism is connected to the gimbal mechanism and configured to be driven in rotation about the mast axis by the gimbal mechanism. The differential mechanism is capable of gimballing relative to the mast about the gimbal axes, the differential torque-combining mechanism having an output component attached to a yoke of the rotor for driving the yoke in rotation with the differential torque- combining mechanism.
Abstract:
A vibration isolator comprising: a piston (1605) resiliently disposed within a housing (1603) with a first set of seals (1607); a mount plate (1609) configured for attachment to a vibrating body, the piston being connected to the mount plate; an upper fluid chamber (1611) and a lower fluid chamber (1613), each being defined by the housing, the piston, and the first set of seals; a tuning port (1620) for fluid communication between the upper fluid chamber and the lower fluid chamber; a tuning fluid disposed within the upper fluid chamber, the lower fluid chamber, and the tuning port; and a piezo piston (1619) resiliently disposed with the housing, the piezo piston being configured to be driven by at least two piezoceramic actuators (1623).
Abstract:
A preferred embodiment of a pylon has six pylon mounting links for mounting the pylon to an airframe. Each link is considered 'near-rigid' and has a spherical-bearing rod-end on both ends such that the link can only transmit axial loads. At least one of the links has a mass carried within the link and selectively moveable by an actuating means along the axis of the link in an oscillatory manner for attenuating vibrations traveling axially through the link. The actuating means may be an electromechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or piezoelectric system. By mounting each link in a selected orientation relative to the other links, the actuating means may be operated in a manner that attenuates axial vibration that would otherwise be transmitted through the link and into the airframe.
Abstract:
A constant-velocity joint is configured for use with a rotary-wing aircraft having at least one engine. A driver is coupled to an output shaft of the engine, the driver being rotatable about an axis. A yoke is at least partially rotatable relative to the driver about a first center of rotation, the center of rotation being located on the axis. A plurality of upright link couple the yoke to the driver, each ling being translatable relative to the yoke, the driver, or both. Each link is also rotatable relative to the yoke, the driver, or both, about a second center of rotation.
Abstract:
A damper has a piston having an axis, an outer surface, and opposing ends. Elastomeric seals are in sealing contact with the outer surface of the piston, the seals being coaxial with the piston and limiting movement of the piston to a path along the axis of the piston. The seals also define fluid chambers adjacent the ends of the piston. A primary passage communicates the fluid chambers, and a selectively switchable valve for controls a flow of fluid from one of the chambers to another of the chambers through the primary passage. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is permitted, movement of the piston is resisted by a first spring rate due to a shear force required to cause shear deflection of the seals. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is restricted, movement of the piston is resisted by a second spring rate due to a fluid force required to cause bulging deflection of the seals.