Apparatus and methods for fabricating a helicopter main rotor blade

Abstract

An apparatus for fabricating a helicopter main rotor blade includes a compaction fixture for assembling and compacting blade subassembly components and a sheath spreading/insertion apparatus for spreading and inserting a leading-edge sheath onto the blade subassembly during the compaction process. The compaction fixture includes a lower assembly having a contoured upper airfoil nest mounted in combination with a support structure and an upper assembly having a pressure bag affixed in sealed combination to a contoured backplate affixed in combination to a structural support truss. With the upper and lower assemblies in locked combination, the pressure bag is pressurized to compact the assembled blade subassembly components. The sheath spreading/insertion apparatus includes a movable stanchion, upper and lower elongate carriage members mounted in synchronized movable combination with the stanchion, and a row of suction cups mounted in combination with each carriage member. Pneumatic cylinders are mounted in combination with the stanchion and the respective carriage members. Pressurization of the pneumatic cylinders causes synchronized movement of the upper and lower carriage members between a disengaged position wherein the leading-edge sheath can be inserted between the upper and lower rows of suction cups, an engaged position wherein the suction cups abuttingly engage respective OML surfaces of the leading-edge sheath and an operating position wherein the leading-edge sheath is spread apart for insertion onto the blade subassembly during compaction thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.