Rotor blade protector

Abstract

A protector for protecting aircraft, particularly helicopter rotor blades, from absorbing the sun's infrared rays and the accompanying heat build-up in order to keep adhesive material between spar connections from debonding and to avoid delamination from the rotor blade's composite skin. The rotor blade protector includes a cover configured to encircle the length of the rotor blade and a guide form for installing and removing the cover. The inner surface of the cover is coated, by vacuum deposition technology, with aluminum, titanium, or other metals or alloys. The coating thickness will be in the order of 9-30 billionths of a meter thick. A stripper rod is attached to the guide so that aircraft personnel can install and remove the protector from the helicopter rotor blade while standing on the ground. Optionally, a series of ribs can be provided along the cover to provide increased air insulation around the rotor blade. A further option includes providing a fan at the end terminal end of the cover to increase air circulation over the rotor blade.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.