Adjustable pitch link
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsJoseph Biser, Clifton B. Day, Frank B. Stamps, Daniel Spivey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to one embodiment, a pitch link includes a first link, a second link coupled to a first end of the first link, a third link coupled to a second end of the first link opposite the first end, and a first bearing housing having a first bearing and a second bearing housing having a second bearing. The first bearing housing is removably coupled to the second link. The second link separates the first bearing housing from the first link. The second bearing housing is removably coupled to the third link. The third link separates the second bearing housing from the first link.
Claims12
A rotorcraft, comprising:
- a body;
- a power train coupled to the body and comprising a power source and a drive shaft coupled to the power source;
- a hub coupled to the drive shaft;
- a rotor blade coupled to the hub;
- a swashplate positioned about the drive shaft;
- and
- a pitch link coupled between the swashplate and the hub corresponding to the rotor blade, the pitch link comprising:
- a link assembly having an overall adjustable length, the link assembly comprising a first link, a second link coupled to a first end of the first link, and a third link coupled to a second end of the first link opposite the first end;
- a first bearing housing comprising a first eyelet having a first bearing disposed in the first eyelet, the first bearing housing removably coupled to the second link, the second link separating the first bearing housing from the first link;
- and
- a second bearing housing comprising a second eyelet having a second bearing disposed in the second eyelet, the second bearing housing removably coupled to the third link, the third link separating the second bearing housing from the first link;
- wherein the first bearing housing is rotatable relative to the second link and wherein a first bearing housing nut is configured to selectively lock the first bearing housing in any angular orientation relative to the second link without limitation;
- wherein the second bearing housing is rotatable relative to the third link and wherein a second bearing housing nut is configured to selectively lock the second bearing housing in any angular orientation relative to the third link without limitation;
- and
- wherein each of the first link, the second link, and the third link are rod-shaped and comprise no eyelets.
A pitch link, comprising:
- a link assembly having an overall adjustable length, the link assembly comprising:
- a first link;
- a second link coupled to a first end of the first link;
- and
- a third link coupled to a second end of the first link opposite the first end;
- a first bearing housing comprising a first eyelet having a first bearing disposed in the first eyelet, the first bearing housing removably coupled to the second link, the second link separating the first bearing housing from the first link;
- and
- a second bearing housing comprising a second eyelet having a second bearing disposed in the second eyelet, the second bearing housing removably coupled to the third link, the third link separating the second bearing housing from the first link;
- wherein the first bearing housing is rotatable relative to the second link and wherein a first bearing housing nut is configured to selectively lock the first bearing housing in any angular orientation relative to the second link without limitation;
- wherein the second bearing housing is rotatable relative to the third link and wherein a second bearing housing nut is configured to selectively lock the second bearing housing in any angular orientation relative to the third link without limitation;
- and
- wherein each of the first link, the second link, and the third link are rod-shaped and comprise no eyelets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.