Prop rotor hub
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsErnst C. Schellhase, Willem Broekhuizen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A prop rotor hub includes a constant velocity joint in the same plane as a prop blade yoke. Torque is transmitted from a shaft to the blades through the CV joint, hub plates attached to the CV joint, and the yoke, which is attached to the hub plates. Providing all elements in a substantially planar arrangement results in a hub assembly which has significantly less height than a traditional design. The hub itself is in-plane with the yoke, resulting in a more efficient torque transmission from the mast to the rotor.
Claims19
An in-plane hub assembly, comprising:
- a planar yoke having a plurality of arms, each arm adapted to hold a rotor blade;
- and
- upper and lower hub plates coupled to the yoke on opposite sides of the yoke plane, wherein torque transmitted to the hub plates is in turn transmitted to the yoke;
- wherein the yoke is not rigidly mounted directly to a mast.
An improved hub assembly, comprising:
- a substantially planar yoke having a plurality of arms, each yoke arm adapted to hold a rotor blade, the yoke arms being configured to define a single aperture through the yoke;
- first and second hub plates located on opposite sides of the yoke plane;
- and
- between each pair of adjacent yoke arms, at least two connector points for connecting the yoke to the hub plates, wherein the connector points are spaced apart to enhance the stiffness of the yoke.
An improved hub assembly, comprising:
- a substantially planar yoke having a plurality of arms, each yoke arm adapted to hold a rotor blade, the yoke arms being configured to define a single aperture through the yoke;
- at least one hub plate connected to the yoke;
- and
- between each pair of adjacent yoke arms, at least two connector points for connecting the yoke to the at least one hub plate, wherein the connector points are spaced apart to enhance the stiffness of the yoke.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.