The Boeing Company

Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter Company

Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter

Richard Piechowicz

A tracking wedge, a rotor and a method for modifying a movement of air over a tracking wedge. According to aspects of the disclosure, a tracking wedge used to correct the tracking of a helicopter rotor blade may include one or more acoustic management mechanisms. The acoustic management mechanisms may change the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge. In some examples, changing the manner in which air moves over the surface of the tracking wedge may reduce noise generated by the use of the tracking wedge.

Noise reducing profile for helicopter rotor blade tracking wedges

A closed loop fully self-contained actuation system for converting a mechanical input motion into a mechanical output motion, which actuates a device such as a flight control surface on an aircraft, comprises an input actuator including a first fluid pressurizing means responsive to the mechanical input motion, and an output actuator including a second fluid pressurizing means, as well as a flexible fluid line extending between the first and second fluid pressurizing means to provide fluid communication therebetween. The second fluid pressurizing means is responsive to fluid flow through the fluid line, thereby initialing the output motion. The system is advantageous because it requires no hydraulic pumps, no accumulators, no reservoirs, and no dynamic seals or mechanical joints, permitting great reliability. The actuation system may be easily folded in conjunction with the apparatus on which it is employed, for compact storage.

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Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

Richard Piechowicz