Method for folding helicopter main rotor blades
US5211538A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C27/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of folding the main rotor blades of a helicopter for storage in which blade supports are removably attached to the nose and tail of the fuselage of the helicopter. A first and second main rotor blades then are aligned with the longitudinal axis running from the forward blade support to the aft blade support. The first and second blades are placed upon, and restrained from rotation in, the blade supports. Then the first and second blades are permitted to fold about the rotor assembly of the helicopter by releasing a locking member of each blade. The first and second blades are folded by rotating the main rotor assembly while restraining from rotation the first and second blades in the forward and aft blades supports, respectively. After the rotor assembly is rotated through approximately 90 degrees, a third and fourth of the rotor blades are aligned with the longitudinal axis running through the forward and aft blade supports and the first and second blades are fully folded. Finally, the third and fourth main rotor blades are placed upon the forward and aft blade supports.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.