Axisymmetric elastomeric bearing assembly for helicopter rotors
US5601408A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C27/35
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An axisymmetric elastomeric bearing assembly (30) for an articulated rotor hub assembly (10), which axisymmetric elastomeric bearing assembly (30) is disposed in combination with a rotor assembly yoke (24) and hub retention member (12) of the rotor hub assembly (10) and is operative for accommodating the multi-directional displacement of a rotor blade assembly (14) thereof. The axisymmetric elastomeric bearing assembly (30) includes a central bearing element (32) having a spherical bearing surface (32s) defining a bearing focal point (30f) and spherical elastomeric elements (34) bonded to the spherical bearing surface (32s) on opposing sides of the bearing focal point (30f). Each of the spherical elastomeric elements (34) have a plurality of alternating layers of elastomer and nonresilient shims (36, 38) which have a center of curvature which is coincident with the bearing focal point (30f) and disposed at increasing radii therefrom. Bearing endplates (40) are bonded to the spherical elastomeric elements (34) and are mounted in combination with the yoke (24) and hub retention member (12). In operation, the central bearing element (32) is rotationally self-positioning to effect load…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.