Apparatus and method for folding and locking rotor blades

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of the blade, and said grip member pivotally connected to the blade to allow the blade to pivot between folded and deployed positions;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions;
• and
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of the blade when the blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when the blade is folded, said blade lock means includes an elongated blade lock pin mounted in said grip member for reciprocation between locked and unlocked positions and motion conversion means on said grip member connected with said rotary actuator means and with said blade lock pin for converting pivotal motion of said actuator means to linear motion of said blade lock pin.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions, said rotary actuator means includes gear reducer means including first and second output members pivotal independently and together, said first member connected to said blade lock means and said second member connected to said blade and motor means for driving said gear reducer means;
• a limit cam for permitting predetermined pivotal movement of said first and second output members in one direction and preventing movement of said second output member while permitting pivotal movement of said second output member in the opposite direction;
• and
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folding positions;
• and
• blade lock means including a blade lock pin on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position and a pitch lock pin moveable simultaneously with and in response to movement of said blade lock pin between locked and unlocked positions to prevent and permit blade pitch adjustment when said blade is folded and deployed, respectively.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions;
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded;
• fairing housing means for covering said folding and locking apparatus for reducing drag on said rotor blade;
• and
• a fairing door member pivotal relative to said fairing housing connected to and activated by said actuator means for movement between a closed position wherein said folding and locking apparatus is covered and an open position wherein said fairing door is pivoted to a position clear of the folded position of said blades.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions;
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded, said blade lock means also includes a fairing door member latch member carried by said rotary actuator means and moveable thereby into and out of latching engagement with a fairing door member when said blade is deployed and folded, respectively;
• fairing housing means for covering said folding and locking apparatus reducing drag on said rotor blade;
• and
• a fairing door member pivotal relative to said fairing housing connected to and activated by said actuator means for movement between a closed position wherein said folding and locking apparatus is covered and an open position wherein said fairing door is pivoted to a position clear of the folded position of said blades;
• and
• a dwell cam member operably connected to said rotary actuator means and linkage means, including a cam follower member moveable in response to movement of said rotary actuator means, said dwell cam member having a slot receiving said cam follower member for permitting movement of said rotary actuator means to unlatch said fairing door prior to opening said fairing door and to latch said door after closing said door.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions;
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded, said blade lock means includes an elongated blade lock pin mounted in said grip member for reciprocation between locked and unlocked positions and motion conversion means on said grip member connected with said rotary actuator means and with said blade lock pin for converting pivotal motion of said actuator means to linear motion of said blade lock pin, said blade lock means also includes a fairing door member latch member carried by said rotary actuator means and moveable thereby into and out of latching engagement with a fairing door member when said blade is deployed and folded, respectively;
• fairing housing means for covering said folding and locking apparatus reducing drag on said rotor blade;
• a fairing door member pivotal relative to said fairing housing connected to and activated by said actuator means for movement between a closed position wherein said folding and locking apparatus is covered and an open position wherein said fairing door is pivoted to a position clear of the folded position of said blades;
• and
• a dwell cam member operably connected to said rotary actuator means and linkage means, including a cam follower member moveable in response to movement of said rotary actuator means, said dwell cam member having a slot receiving said cam follower member for permitting movement of said rotary actuator means to unlatch said fairing door prior to opening said fairing door and to latch said door after closing said door.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions;
• blade lock means on said grip member operable connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded, said blade lock means includes an elongated blade lock pin mounted in said grip member for reciprocation between locked and unlocked positions and motion conversion means on said grip member connected with said rotary actuator means and with said blade lock pin for converting pivotal motion of said actuator means to linear motion of said blade lock pin and a pitch lock pin moveable in response to movement of said blade lock pin between locked and unlocked positions to prevent and permit blade pitch adjustment when said blade is folded and deployed, respectively, said blade lock means also includes a fairing door member latch member carried by said rotary actuator means and moveable thereby into and out of latching engagement with said fairing door member when said blade is deployed and folded, respectively;
• a stop member located on said grip member having a surface engageable with said blade when said blade is in the deployed position for positioning said blade at the desired deployment, said elongated lock pin having a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle relative to the surface on said stop member and said pin moves along said axis for wedging said blade against said stop member;
• over-center means connected with said blade lock pin for preventing said blade lock pin from moving out of locking engagement with said blade except when said blade lock pin is moved out of engagement with said blade by said over-center means;
• fairing housing means for covering said folding and locking apparatus for reducing drag on said rotor blade;
• a fairing door member pivotal relative to said fairing housing connected to and activated by said actuator means for movement between a closed position wherein said folding and locking apparatus is covered and an open position wherein said fairing door is pivoted to a position clear of the folded position of said blades;
• and
• a dwell cam member operably connected to said rotary actuator means and linkage means, including a cam follower member moveable in response to movement of said rotary actuator means, said dwell cam member having a slot receiving said cam follower member for permitting movement of said rotary actuator means to unlatch said fairing door prior to opening said fairing door and to latch said door after closing said door.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions;
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded, said blade lock means also includes a fairing door member latch member carried by said rotary actuator means and moveable thereby into and out of latching engagement with a fairing door member when said blade is deployed and folded, respectively;
• fairing housing means for covering said folding and locking apparatus reducing drag on said rotor blade;
• and
• a fairing door member pivotal relative to said fairing housing connected to and activated by said actuator means for movement between a closed position wherein said folding and locking apparatus is covered and an open position wherein said fairing door is pivoted to a position clear of the folded position of said blades;
• a dwell cam member operably connected to said rotary actuator means and linkage means, including a cam follower member moveable in response to movement of said rotary actuator means, said dwell cam member having a slot receiving said cam follower member for permitting movement of said rotary actuator means to unlatch said fairing door prior to opening said fairing door and to latch said door after closing said door;
• and
• friction brake means for preventing the inadvertent movement of said blade lock pin out of locking engagement with said blade.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folding positions;
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded, said blade lock means includes an elongated blade lock pin mounted in said grip member for reciprocation between locked and unlocked positions and motion conversion means on said grip member connected with said rotary actuator means and with said blade lock pin for converting pivotal motion of said actuator means to linear motion of said blade lock pin, said blade lock means also includes a fairing door member latch member carried by said rotary actuator means and moveable thereby into and out of latching engagement with a fairing door member when said blade is deployed and folded, respectively;
• fairing housing means for covering said folding and locking apparatus reducing drag on said rotor blade;
• a fairing door member pivotal relative to said fairing housing connected to and activated by said actuator means for movement between a closed position wherein said folding and locking apparatus is covered and an open position wherein said fairing door is pivoted to a position clear of the folded position of said blades;
• a dwell cam member operably connected to said rotary actuator means and linkage means, including a cam follower member moveable in response to movement of said rotary actuator means, said dwell cam member having a slot receiving said cam follower member for permitting movement of said rotary actuator means to unlatch said fairing door prior to opening said fairing door and to latch said door after closing said door;
• and
• friction brake means for preventing the inadvertent movement of said blade lock pin out of locking engagement with said blade.

Folding and locking apparatus for an adjustable pitch rotor blade comprising:

• a blade grip member for connecting the blade to a rotor drive, said grip member being pivotal to adjust the pitch angle of said blade;
• rotary actuator means located in said grip member for pivoting the blade between deployed and folded positions;
• and
• blade lock means on said grip member operably connected with and moveable by said actuator means for preventing inadvertent folding of said blade when said blade is in the deployed position, and for preventing changing of the pitch angle when said blade is folded, said blade lock means includes an elongated blade lock pin mounted in said grip member for reciprocation between locked and unlocked positions and motion conversion means on said grip member connected with said rotary actuator means and with said blade lock pin for converting pivotal motion of said actuator means to linear motion of said blade lock pin and a pitch lock pin moveable in response to movement of said blade lock pin between locked and unlocked positions to prevent and permit blade pitch adjustment when said blade is folded and deployed, respectively, said blade lock means also includes a fairing door member latch member carried by said rotary actuator means and moveable thereby into and out of latching engagement with said fairing door member when said blade is deployed and folded, respectively;
• a stop member located on said grip member having a surface engageable with said blade when said blade is in the deployed position for positioning said blade at the desired deployment, said elongated lock pin having a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle relative to the surface on said stop member and said pin moves along said axis for wedging said blade against said stop member;
• over-center means connected with said blade lock pin for preventing said blade lock pin from moving out of locking engagement with said blade except when said blade lock pin is moved out of engagement with said blade by said over-center means;
• fairing housing means for covering said folding and locking apparatus reducing drag on said rotor blade;
• a fairing door member pivotal relative to said fairing housing corrected to and activated by said actuator means for movement between a closed position wherein said folding and locking apparatus is covered and an open position wherein said fairing door is pivoted to a position clear of the folded position of said blades;
• a dwell cam member operably connected to said rotary actuator means and linkage means, including a cam follower member moveable in response to movement of said rotary actuator means, said dwell cam member having a slot receiving said cam follower member for permitting movement of said rotary actuator means to unlatch said fairing door prior to opening said fairing door and to latch said door after closing said door;
• and
• friction brake means for preventing the inadvertent movement of said blade lock pin out of locking engagement with said blade.