The Boeing Company

Sharyn E Mlinar

Matthew Howard Cawthorne

Arthur E Santerre, Iii

David L Downey

Donna M Irby

Arthur E Santerre

Methods and systems for balancing helicopter rotor blades are disclosed. In some examples, density data of a rotor blade may be acquired by scanning the rotor blade. In some examples, a three-dimensional model of a rotor blade may be merged with density data of the rotor blade. In some examples, simulations may be performed to predict flight data associated with a modeled rotor blade. In some examples, a database may be referenced to predict a desired weight balance of a rotor blade.

Methods and systems for helicopter rotor blade balancing

A coupon fabrication with defined distortion in the form of marceled fibers and test protocol is employed to determine the shape of the failure probability density curve to improve the analyses of the risk of fiber distortion anomalies in composite structures. This protocol provides a method to determine the probability of and the severity of the various distorted fiber conditions that might exist on composite structure in fabrication and in service. A distortion characterization matrix is established for determining test shapes and providing defect characterization based on the results of tests on the selected shapes. Coupons for test are created using resin pool.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, OH, United States of America

Sharyn E Mlinar