Tiltrotor aircraft having spherical bearing mounted pylon assemblies

US9981750B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey Matthew Williams · Hudson Oaks, US
• George Ryan Decker · Mansfield, US
• James Everett Kooiman · Fort Worth, US
• Andrew G. Baines · Fort Worth, US
• Daniel J. Sweigard · Euless, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 24, 2017
• Grant date: May 29, 2018
• Expiry date: Oct 24, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/1966
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to an input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a spherical bearing providing a self-aligning coupling with the pylon assembly.