Actuation system for an active rotor control system

A rotor blade for a helicopter comprising:

• a root end;
• a tip end;
• a trailing edge;
• a flap hinged to at least a portion of the trailing edge, the flap being pivotable about a pivot axis;
• a flap actuation system for pivoting the flap about its pivot axis, the flap actuation system including
• at least one supply line mounted within the rotor blade and extending outward from the root end, the supply line adapted to channel pressurized fluid;
• at least one actuator fluidly connected to the at least one supply line, the actuator having a displacement member and a head member, the head member being engaged with the flap and adapted to pivot the flap about its pivot axis when pressurized fluid is conveyed through the at least one supply line;
• and
• a valve attached to the at least one supply line for controlling a flow of fluid along the supply line, the valve being controlled by a controller that receives signals regarding the current operational state of the flap.

A rotor blade for a helicopter comprising:

• a root end;
• a tip end;
• a trailing edge;
• a flap hinged to at least a portion of the trailing edge, the flap being pivotable about a pivot axis;
• wherein the flap is hinged to the trailing edge through a flexible hinge;
• a flap actuation system for pivoting the flap about its pivot axis, the flap actuation system including
• at least one supply line mounted within the rotor blade and extending outward from the root end, the supply line adapted to channel pressurized fluid;
• and
• least one actuator fluidly connected to the at least one supply line, the actuator having a displacement member and a head member, the head member being engaged with the flap and adapted to pivot the flap about its pivot axis when pressurized fluid is conveyed through the at least one supply line.

A flap actuation system for a helicopter rotor blade, the rotor blade having a root end, a tip end, a trailing edge and a flap hinged to at least a portion of the trailing edge, the flap being pivotable about a pivot axis, the flap actuation system comprising:

• a first supply line mounted within the rotor blade and extending outward from the root end, the first supply line adapted to channel pressurized hydraulic;
• a first set of actuators fluidly connected to the first supply line, the actuators having a displacement member and a head member, the head member being engaged with the flap and adapted to pivot the flap about its pivot axis so that the flap angles upward when pressurized hydraulic fluid is channeled along the first supply line;
• a second supply line mounted within the rotor blade and extending outward from the root end, the second supply line adapted to channel pressurized hydraulic;
• and
• a second set of actuators fluidly connected to the second supply line, the actuators having a displacement member and a head member, the head member being engaged with the flap and adapted to pivot the flap about its pivot axis so that the flap angles downward when pressurized hydraulic fluid is channeled along the second supply line.