Patent · US Active

Torque coupling for rotary-wing aircraft

US8226355B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 19, 2006
Grant dateJul 24, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 5, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64C27/32
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A torque coupling (13) for a rotor head (11) of a rotary-wing aircraft has upper and lower plates (29, 31) configured for rotation with a rotor mast (19). Drive links (33) pivotally connected to the upper and lower plates (29, 31) pivot about a pivot axis generally parallel to and radially offset from an axis of rotation of the plates. Each link (33) is engaged with adjacent drive links (33) to form a continuous ring of links, such that motion of one link (33) about its pivot axis causes motion in an opposite direction of each adjacent link (33) about its pivot axis. Drive elements (25) connect the drive links (33) to an assembly configured to receive rotor blades. The drive elements (25) may be components of a universal joint, a multiple trailing-link configuration, a pad-bearing configuration, or another type of articulating assembly.

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