Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter Company

Michael C Frengley

Thu N Vu

A method for making helicopter rotor blades includes wrapping a prepreg strap around the conical or cylindrical outboard end of each weight segment. The weight segment is then placed in the rotor blade spar and goes through the spar cure cycle with it. Primary retention is provided by adhesive bonding between the weight and the spar. Secondary retention is by hoop tension in the strap, acting through interlaminar shears at the co-cured interface with the spar.

Method of making a leading edge weight retention assembly for a

Leading edge weights for helicopter rotor blades are required to provide blade chordwise balance and maintain rotor inertia. Provision for retention of the leading edge weights in a high centrifugal force field, after failure of the primary adhesive bond, is necessary. The invention discloses wrapping a prepreg strap around the conical or cylindrical outboard end of each weight segment. The weight segment is then placed in the rotor blade spar and goes through the spar cure cycle with it. Primary retention is provided by adhesive bonding between the weight and the spar. Secondary retention is by hoop tension in the strap, acting through interlaminar shears at the co-cured interface with the spar.

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Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Michael C Frengley