Compact rotorcraft dual-element spherical elastomeric centrifugal-force bearing assembly

US8926281B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Textron Innovations Inc. · US

Inventors

• Frank B. Stamps · Colleyville, US
• Bryan Marshall · Mansfield, US
• Terry K. Thompson · Bedford, US
• Orion Braziel · Fort Worth, US
• David A. Popelka · Colleyville, US
• Patrick R. Tisdale · Keller, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 21, 2012
• Grant date: Jan 6, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 7, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C27/35
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A rotary system includes a retention member and a flexible yoke having an opening forming a bridge. The rotary system is further provided with two bearing assemblies, a first bearing assembly extending through the opening of the yoke and configured to secure a rotor blade to the retention member and a second bearing assembly extending through the opening of the flexible yoke and configured to secure the rotor blade to the bridge. The second bearing element includes a bearing element having a first surface forming a spherical contouring and an opposing integral second surface forming a conical contouring.