Pitch-fold lock

US11511848B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Textron Innovations Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kyle Thomas Cravener · Arlington, US
• Andrew Maresh · Lewisville, US
• Brady Garrett Atkins · Euless, US
• Kynn J. Schulte · Arlington, US
• Troy Cyril Schank · Keller, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 20, 2020
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2022
• Expiry date: Oct 17, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C29/0033
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a blade lock comprising a fold lock adapted to prevent folding of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to allow folding of the rotor blade in a pitch-lock position. The blade lock further comprises a pitch lock adapted to allow pitch movement of a rotor blade in a fold-lock position and to prevent pitch movement of the rotor blade in the pitch-lock position. A spring-loaded link pivotally connects both the fold lock and the pitch lock and is adapted to provide passive, overcenter locking in the fold-lock position. An actuator is coupled to the pitch lock and is adapted to move the pitch lock and the fold lock between the fold-lock and pitch-lock positions.