Dual mode rotor hub assembly
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsFrank B. Stamps, Patrick Tisdale, John J. Corrigan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotor hub assembly and method for controlling movement of a rotor blade relative to a swashplate. The hub assembly having an attachment device operably associated with the rotor blade and the swashplate. The attachment device provides pivot and rotational blade movement relative to the swashplate. A dual spring-rate damper is operably associated with the attachment device. The damper switches between a first spring rate and a second spring rate during flight to control movement of the rotor blade. The method includes the process of switching the damper between the first spring rate and the second spring rate during flight.
Claims10
A rotor hub assembly for a rotary aircraft, comprising:
- a swashplate;
- an attachment device rotatably coupled to the swashplate and pivotally coupled to a rotor blade;
- a first damper operably associated with the attachment device configured to dampen forces exert by the rotor blade during flight, the first damper comprising:
- a fluidly sealed chamber having:
- a first fluid reservoir;
- a second fluid reservoir;
- and
- a conduit in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the second reservoir
- a valve in fluid communication with the conduit, the valve being configured to restrict fluid passage between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir
- an elastomeric seal configured to elastically resist rotational movement of the attachment device relative to the swashplate;
- wherein a first spring rate is created by the elastic resistance from the elastomeric seal as the fluid is restricted from channeling through the conduit;
- and
- wherein a second spring rate is created by the elastic resistance from the elastomeric seal and the fluid passing between the first fluid reservoir and the second reservoir;
- and
- a second damper operably associated with the attachment device and configured to dampen forces from the rotor blade.
A method, comprising:
- rotatably attaching an attachment device to a swashplate, the attachment device being configured to rotate relative to the swashplate;
- pivotally attaching a rotor blade to the attachment device, the rotor blade being configured to pivot relative to the attachment device;
- damping the rotational movement of the attachment device with a first damper and a second damper;
- and
- switching the damping effects of the first damper and the second damper between a first spring rate and a second spring rate during flight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.