Tiltrotor aircraft having journal bearing mounted pylon assemblies

US10040562B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. · US

Inventors

• James Everett Kooiman · Fort Worth, US
• George Ryan Decker · Mansfield, US
• Matthew Carl VanBuskirk · Bedford, US
• Andrew G. Baines · Fort Worth, US
• Keith Alan Stanney · Fort Worth, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2018
• Expiry date: Dec 15, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/1966
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to the input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a journal bearing that provides a stiff coupling with the pylon assembly.