Rotor hub systems and methods
AssigneeSupernal, LLC
InventorsBryan Marshall, Kristopher Haydel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for a hub. The system provides a hub comprising at least two blades, a motor mechanically connected to the at least two blades to rotate the at least two blades, wherein the motor is attached to an frame; and a hub configured to transmit loads from the at least two blades to the frame, wherein each blade is coupled to an inboard elastomeric bearing attached to the hub, and wherein each blade is coupled to an outboard elastomeric bearing attached to the hub. The hub may comprise a pitch horn configured to couple one of the at least two rotor blades at an attachment to the inboard elastomeric bearing.
Claims20
A hub comprising:
- at least two rotor blades;
- a motor mechanically connected to the at least two rotor blades to rotate the at least two blades, wherein the motor is attached to a frame;
- and
- a hub configured to transmit loads from the at least two rotor blades to the frame, wherein one rotor blade of the at least two rotor blades is coupled to an inboard elastomeric bearing attached to the hub and coupled to an outboard elastomeric bearing attached to the hub.
A hub assembly, the hub assembly comprising:
- a yoke;
- at least one inboard elastomeric bearing attached to the yoke;
- at least one outboard elastomeric bearing attached to the yoke;
- and
- at least two rotor blades configured to generate thrust, wherein one rotor blade of the at least two rotor blades is coupled to an inboard elastomeric bearing, and wherein the one rotor blade of the at least two rotor blades is coupled to an outboard elastomeric bearing.
A method of providing lift or thrust to a vehicle, the method comprising steps of:
- transmitting mechanical energy from a motor to at least two rotor blades through a drive shaft and a rotor mast,
- supporting one rotor blade of the at least two rotor blades through a hub comprising an inboard elastomeric bearing and an outboard elastomeric bearing, wherein the one blade is attached to the inboard elastomeric bearing and the outboard elastomeric bearing;
- transmitting a substantially out-of-plane force from the one rotor blade to the inboard elastomeric bearing and the outboard elastomeric bearing;
- transmitting a substantially in-plane force to the inboard elastomeric bearing and the outboard elastomeric bearing;
- and
- adjusting a pitch of the one rotor blade through a pitch horn, wherein the pitch horn is attached at the inboard elastomeric bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.