Soft-in-plane proprotor systems
US10793254B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C29/0033
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A soft-in-plane proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode. The proprotor system includes a hub, a plurality of proprotor blades and a plurality of blade support assemblies coupling the proprotor blades with the hub. Each blade support assembly includes a flapping bearing coupled to the hub and a yoke having first and second longitudinal sections with outboard grip members and an inboard arcuate section connecting the first and second longitudinal sections and coupled to the flapping bearing. A lead-lag damper is coupled between the hub and an inboard station of the respective proprotor blade. A twist shank is coupled between the outboard grip members of the yoke and an outboard station of the respective the proprotor blade. The twist shank defines a virtual lead-lag hinge outboard of the yoke and coincident with the respective pitch change axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.