The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 15, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1995
David G Matsuka, Huntington, CT (US);
Edward W Gronenthal, Shelton, CT (US);
Robert C Moffitt, Seymour, CT (US);
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, CT (US);
Abstract
A Variable Diameter Rotor (VDR) system (4) having telescoping odd and even blade assemblies (O.sub.b, E.sub.b) wherein the odd blade assemblies define a radial length R.sub.O and the even blade assemblies define a radial length R.sub.E. Each blade assembly (O.sub.b, E.sub.b) defines an internal chamber (64) for accepting a positioning mechanism (70) operative to effect telescopic translation of the blade assemblies (O.sub.b, E.sub.b) such that the radial length R.sub.E of the even blade assemblies (E.sub.b) is equal to the radial length R.sub.O of the odd blade assemblies (O.sub.b) in a first operating mode, and such that the radial length R.sub.E is between about 70% to about 95% of the length R.sub.O in a second operating mode. The positioning mechanism (70) includes a centrifugal restraint assembly (80) disposed within each internal chamber (64), a stop surface (64s) formed internally of each internal chamber (64), and an actuation mechanism (90) operative for transpositioning the centrifugal restraint assemblies (80) within the internal chambers (64) such that, in one operating mode, the centrifugal restraint assemblies (80)are disposed in abutting engagement with the stop surfaces (64s) and, in another operating mode, the actuation mechanism (90) is disposed in abutting engagement with the centrifugal restraint assemblies (80) of at least one of the blade assemblies (O.sub.b, E.sub.b). The actuation mechanism includes a reeling assembly (110) having a cylindrical drum (112) disposed internally of the rotor assembly (8), end fixities (114) disposed internally of the chambers (64) and operative for engaging and disengaging the centrifugal restraint assembly (80), straps (116) for mechanically coupling the end fixities (114) to the cylindrical drum (112), and a drive mechanism (120) for effecting rotation of the cylindrical drum (112).