US 11,105,381 B2 · Rotor assembly bearing with centrifugal clutch mechanism

Abstract

A bearing assembly is for movably coupling a first member having a centerline and displaceable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the centerline and a second member displaceable about the centerline and/or another axis perpendicular to the centerline. The bearing assembly includes a laminated bearing having an inner axial end coupled with the second member and an outer axial end spaced from the inner end along the first member centerline and coupleable with the first member. A clutch mechanism releasably couples the bearing outer axial end with the first member when the first member angularly displaces about the rotation axis. The clutch mechanism preferably has a first portion connected with the bearing outer axial end, a second portion coupled with the first member and engageable with the first portion to couple the two members, and a biasing member spaces apart the two clutch portions when the first member is non-rotational.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A bearing assembly for movably coupling a first member and a second member, the first member having a centerline and being angularly displaceable about a rotation axis at least generally perpendicular to the centerline, the second member being angularly displaceable about at least one of the centerline and another axis perpendicular to the centerline, the bearing assembly comprising:

a laminated bearing with a central bore for receiving a portion of the first member and having an inner axial end coupled with the second member and an outer axial end spaced from the inner axial end along the first member centerline and being coupleable with the first member;
and
a clutch mechanism configured to releasably couple the bearing outer axial end with the first member when the first member angularly displaces about the rotation axis.

A rotor assembly for a rotorcraft, the rotor assembly comprising:

a mast rotatable about a central axis;
a spindle having an inner radial end coupled with the mast, an opposing outer radial end and a centerline extending between the inner and outer ends;
an elongated rotor blade extending perpendicular to the central axis;
and
a bearing assembly for movably coupling the blade with the spindle and including:
a laminated bearing with a central bore for receiving a portion of the spindle and having an inner axial end coupled with the blade and an outer axial end spaced from the inner axial end along the spindle centerline and being coupleable with the spindle;
and
a clutch mechanism configured to releasably couple the outer axial end of the bearing with the spindle when the spindle angularly displaces about the mast central axis.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rotor assembly bearing with centrifugal clutch mechanism

Life of this patent

Rotor assembly bearing with centrifugal clutch mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20