Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

C Ed Covington

Clifton B Day

Joseph J Zierer

The present invention is for an improved rotating control system for use on tilt rotor aircraft and helicopters. Existing rotating control systems usually include a non-rotating swashplate and a rotating swashplate, both swashplates having a plurality of clevises, each clevis formed by at least two clevis arms. The clevis arms are disposed in a clevis plane, and an axis of symmetry is located in the clevis plane between the clevis arms. The devises on the non-rotating swashplate are adapted to pivotally receive an actuator rod which has a rod axis defined by the actuator rod. The apparatus of the present invention includes an anti-rotation clip that is disposed between the clevis arms of each clevis of the non-rotating swashplate. The anti-rotation clip is either of unitary or multi-piece construction. The anti-rotation clip includes a wall portion and at least one restraining member that protrudes inwardly from the wall portion. The restraining members limit the rotation of the actuator rod about the rod axis. This feature prevents wear and structural damage to both the actuator rod and the non-rotating swashplate.

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Azle, TX, United States of America

C Ed Covington