Enhanced durability nickel abrasion strip
AssigneeSikorsky Aircraft Corporation
InventorsJeffrey Kinlan, Leon M. Meyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An erosion strip to protect a leading edge surface is provided including an outer layer comprising a wear-resistant material. An elastomer is affixed to an interior surface of the outer layer. An adhesive layer is shaped to adhere the leading edge surface to the elastomer such that the elastomer and adhesive layers are between the outer layer and the leading edge surface. The elastomer is configured to at least partially isolate strain at the outer layer from strain at the adhesive layer and the leading edge surface.
Claims15
An erosion strip to protect a leading edge surface, comprising:
- an outer layer comprising a wear-resistant material;
- an elastomer affixed to an interior surface of the outer layer;
- and
- an adhesive layer shaped to adhere the leading edge surface to the elastomer such that the elastomer and adhesive layers are between the outer layer and the leading edge surface;
- wherein the elastomer is configured to at least partially isolate strain at the outer layer from strain between the adhesive layer and the leading edge surface.
A main rotor blade assembly comprising:
- a spar;
- a leading edge assembly including:
- a main sheath laminate;
- and
- a first erosion strip including a wear-resistant outer layer, a layer of elastomer attached to and extending over at least a portion of an interior surface of the outer layer, and an adhesive which adheres the elastomer to the main sheath laminate, the elastomer being configured to at least partially isolate the strain at the outer layer from strain generated between the adhesive and the main sheath laminate.
A method of installing an erosion strip of a main rotor blade comprising:
- preparing a surface of an adjacent component configured to receive the erosion strip, the erosion strip including an outer layer of a wear-resistant material and an elastomer affixed to a portion of outer layer, the elastomer being configured to at least partially isolate the outer layer from strain generated in the erosion strip;
- preparing an adhesive configured to couple to the erosion strip to the adjacent component;
- and
- affixing the erosion strip to the adjacent component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.