# US 11,111,012 B2 · Hub with integral elastomeric bearing

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,111,012 B2
- Document ID: US11111012B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/589,205
- Filed: 2019-10-01
- Published: 2021-04-01
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2019-10-01
- Assignees: Textron Innovations Inc.
- Applicants: Bell Textron Inc.
- Inventors: Whitney Renee Foskey; Gary Miller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111012B2

## CPC

- B64C 27/35: having elastomeric joints
- F16C 27/063: {Sliding contact bearings}
- F16C 11/08: with resilient bearings
- F16C 23/048: {for axial load mainly}
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A rotor hub assembly includes a yoke and a high capacity laminated (HCL) bearing, comprising layers of elastomeric material and layers of metal. The HCL bearing is affixed to the yoke to prevent separation of the HCL bearing from the yoke.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rotor hub assembly, comprising:
a yoke; and
a high capacity laminated (HCL) bearing, comprising layers of elastomeric material and layers of metal, the HCL bearing being affixed to the yoke to prevent separation of the HCL bearing from the yoke;
wherein the HCL bearing is not captured by a shape profile of the yoke to which the HCL bearing is affixed;
wherein the HCL bearing comprises a closed-loop shape disposed about a mast axis of the rotor hub assembly; and
wherein the HCL bearing is affixed to the yoke using a frustoconical shaped profile of the yoke.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the HCL bearing is affixed to a central cone interface of the yoke.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric material of the HCL bearing is bonded to the central cone interface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 3, wherein the yoke is a composite yoke.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 3, wherein the yoke is a metal yoke.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the yoke comprises metal and the elastomeric material of the HCL bearing is vulcanized to the yoke.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 6, wherein the elastomeric material of the HCL bearing is vulcanized to a central cone interface of the yoke.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the HCL bearing comprises an outer member affixed to the yoke.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 8, wherein the outer member comprises metal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 9, wherein the outer member is bonded to a central cone interface of the yoke.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The rotor hub assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the HCL bearing closest to the yoke is prevented from rotating relative to the yoke.

### Claim 12

A method of constructing a rotor hub assembly, comprising:
providing a yoke and a mast; and
affixing a high capacity laminated (HCL) bearing to the yoke to prevent separation of the HCL bearing from the yoke without using the yoke to capture the HCL bearing;
wherein the HCL bearing comprises a closed-loop shape disposed about a mast axis of the rotor hub assembly; and
wherein the HCL bearing is affixed to the yoke using a frustoconical shaped profile of the yoke.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the yoke is a composite yoke.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein an elastomeric portion of the HCL bearing is bonded to the yoke.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein a metal portion of the HCL bearing is bonded to the yoke.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the metal portion comprises an outer member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the yoke is a metal yoke.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the HCL bearing is affixed to the yoke using a vulcanization process.