Low-height tunable tilt rotor downstop
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Ryan, Brett R. Zimmerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A improved tilt rotor aircraft comprising an airframe, at least one wing member coupled to the airframe, and at least one tilt rotor assembly carried by the at least one wing member. The improved tilt rotor aircraft includes a low-height tunable downstop assembly for isolating static and dynamic lateral loads between the tilt rotor assemblies and the wings. The low-height tunable downstop assembly comprises a pivotable striker assembly having an adjustable stiffness, and a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the striker assembly. The low-height tunable downstop assembly isolates yaw loads while providing a stiff vertical support.
Claims32
An improved tilt rotor aircraft comprising:
- an airframe;
- at least one wing member coupled to the airframe;
- at least one tilt rotor assembly carried by the at least one wing member;
- and
- a downstop assembly for isolating loads generated by the tilt rotor assembly, the downstop assembly comprising:
- a pivotable striker assembly;
- and
- a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the pivotable striker assembly.
An improved tilt rotor aircraft comprising:
- an airframe;
- at least one wing member coupled to the airframe;
- at least one tilt rotor assembly carried by the at least one wing member;
- and
- a downstop assembly for isolating loads, the downstop assembly comprising:
- a pivotable striker assembly;
- and
- a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the pivotable striker assembly;
- wherein the pivotable striker assembly comprises:
- a base member adapted to be coupled to the at least one tilt rotor assembly;
- and
- an angled striker arm having a leg portion and a post portion, the leg portion being longer than the post portion, the angled striker arm being pivotally coupled to the base member;
- and
- wherein the cradle assembly comprises:
- an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to the at least one wing member;
- and
- a generally V-shaped member coupled to the attachment portion for releasably receiving the post portion.
An improved tilt rotor aircraft comprising:
- an airframe;
- at least one wing member coupled to the airframe;
- at least one tilt rotor assembly carried by the at least one wing member;
- and
- a downstop assembly for isolating loads, the downstop assembly comprising:
- a pivotable striker assembly;
- and
- a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the pivotable striker assembly;
- wherein the pivotable striker assembly comprises:
- a base member adapted to be coupled to the at least one wing member;
- and
- an angled striker arm having a leg portion and a post portion, the leg portion being longer than the post portion, the angled striker arm being pivotally coupled to the base member;
- and
- wherein the cradle assembly comprises:
- an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to the at least one tilt rotor assembly;
- and
- a generally V-shaped member coupled to the attachment portion for releasably receiving the post portion.
A low-height tunable downstop for use on a tilt rotor aircraft having at least one wing member and at least one tilt rotor assembly pivotally coupled to the at least one wing member, the low-height tunable downstop comprising:
- a pivotable striker assembly;
- and
- a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the pivotable striker assembly;
- whereby loads generated by the at least one tilt rotor assembly are isolated.
A low-height tunable downstop for use on a tilt rotor aircraft having at least one wing member and at least one tilt rotor assembly pivotally coupled to the at least one wing member, the low-height tunable downstop comprising:
- a pivotable striker assembly;
- and
- a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the pivotable striker assembly
- wherein the pivotable striker assembly comprises:
- a base member adapted to be coupled to the at least one wing member;
- and
- an angled striker arm having a leg portion and a post portion, the leg portion being longer than the post portion, the angled striker arm being pivotally coupled to the base member;
- and
- wherein the cradle assembly comprises:
- an attachment portion adapted to the coupled to the at least one tilt rotor assembly;
- and
- a generally V-shaped member coupled to the attachment portion for releasably receiving the post portion.
A low-height tunable downstop for use on a tilt rotor aircraft having at least one wing member and at least one tilt rotor assembly pivotally coupled to the at least one wing member, the low-height tunable downstop comprising:
- a pivotable striker assembly;
- and
- a cradle assembly adapted to releasably receive the pivotable striker assembly
- wherein the pivotable striker assembly comprises:
- a base member adapted to be coupled to the at least one tilt rotor assembly;
- and
- an angled striker arm having a leg portion and a post portion, the leg portion being longer than the post portion, the angled striker arm being pivotally coupled to the base member;
- and
- wherein the cradle assembly comprises:
- an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to the at least one wing member;
- and
- a generally V-shaped member coupled to the attachment portion for reasonably receiving the post portion.
A method of isolating vibration in a tilt rotor aircraft having an airframe, at least one wing member coupled to the airframe, and at least one tilt rotor assembly coupled to the at least one wing member, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a pivotable striker assembly;
- coupling the pivotable striker assembly to the at least one tilt rotor assembly;
- providing a cradle assembly for releasably receiving the pivotable striker assembly;
- coupling the cradle assembly to the at least one wing member;
- releasably contacting the pivotable striker assembly with the cradle assembly;
- isolating the vibration with the pivotable striker assembly.
A method of isolating vibration in a tilt rotor aircraft having an airframe, at least one wing member coupled to the airframe, and at least one tilt rotor assembly coupled to the at least one wing member, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a pivotable striker assembly;
- coupling the pivotable striker assembly to the at least one wing member;
- providing a cradle assembly for releasably receiving the pivotable striker assembly;
- coupling the cradle assembly to the at least one tilt rotor assembly;
- releasably contacting the pivotable striker assembly with the cradle assembly;
- isolating the vibration with the pivotable striker assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.