Patent · US Expired

Connecting element and helicopter rotor incorporating same

US4455123A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
8References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 1, 1982
Grant dateJun 19, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 1, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64C27/33
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A connecting element having end regions (22, 23) joined by an intermediate by an intermediate region (26) is constructed of a plurality of fibre filaments extending longitudinally and continuously throughout its length. The fibers in the end regions are embedded in a thermo-setting resin matrix material and the fibres in the intermediate region are embedded in a resilient matrix material thereby permitting relative resilient torsional movement of the end regions about a longitudinal axis. Such a connecting element is particularly suited for use in a helicopter rotor and several embodiments are described and illustrated. In all embodiments the torsional flexibility of intermediate region (26) provides for blade feathering movements and in a preferred embodiment the inner end region (22) is constructed so as to be resiliently flexible in a blade flap plane and the outer end region (23) is constructed so as to be equally resiliently flexible in the blade flap and lead/lag planes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.