Patent · US Expired

Low-height tunable tilt rotor downstop

US6328256A · kind A · utility

20Cited by

5References

32Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. · US

Inventors

Michael John Ryan · Colleyville, US
Brett Rodney Zimmerman · Hurst, US

Key dates

Filing date	Sep 29, 1999
Grant date	Dec 11, 2001
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 29, 2019

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T403/32868
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A improved tilt rotor aircraft comprising an airframe, at least one wing member coupled to the airframe, and at least one tilt rotor assembly carried by the at least one wing member. The improved tilt rotor aircraft includes a low-height tunable downstop assembly for isolating static and dynamic lateral loads between the tilt rotor assemblies and the wings. The low-height tunable downstop assembly comprises a pivotable striker assembly having an adjustable stiffness, and a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the striker assembly. The low-height tunable downstop assembly isolates yaw loads while providing a stiff vertical support.

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