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US 11,255,379 B2Granted
Uniball bearing with compliant inner member
AssigneeSikorsky Aircraft Corporation
InventorsBryan Kenneth Baskin, James Orbon, Stephen V. Poulin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spherical bearing which extends from and connects to a deformable component includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member is pivotable relative to the outer member about an axis. The inner member has an opening formed therein that defines a plurality of coplanar contact surfaces shaped to accommodate and contact the component. The plurality of contact surfaces are movable to accommodate deformation of the component positioned within the opening.
Claims18
A spherical bearing which extends from and connects to a deformable component comprising:
- an outer member;
- and
- an inner member pivotable relative to the outer member about an axis, the inner member having an opening formed therein that defines a plurality of coplanar contact surfaces shaped to accommodate and contact the component, wherein the plurality of contact surfaces are movable to accommodate the deformation of the component positioned within the opening, wherein a wear liner is disposed on an inner surface of the outer member between the outer member and the inner member.
A rotor system comprising:
- a rotationally stationary swashplate pivotally mounted about a central pivot point defined along an axis of rotation via a spherical bearing;
- a rotational swashplate which defines a rotor pitch control point, said rotor pitch control point defined along an in-line plane which passes through said central pivot point;
- and
- a bearing system mounted between said rotationally stationary swashplate and said rotational swashplate, said bearing system having the spherical bearing for receiving a deformable component, the spherical bearing including:
- an outer member;
- and
- an inner member complementary to the outer member such that the inner member is pivotable relative to the outer member about an axis, an outer surface of the inner member being complementary to and dimensioned to contact an inner diameter of the outer member, the inner member having an opening formed therein that defines a plurality of coplanar contact surfaces shaped to accommodate and contact the component, the plurality of contact surfaces being spaced at intervals between a first end of the inner member and a second end of the inner member, wherein the plurality of contact surfaces are movable to accommodate deformation of the component.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.