Articulating/telescoping duct for reaction drive helicopters

Abstract

An articulating and telescoping duct is provided for use in a helicopter reaction drive flow path for ducting the exhaust and/or bypass gases from the aircraft engine into the flow ducts of the rotor blades. In a preferred embodiment the telescoping duct comprises a tubular member having a bead formed at each end. Each of the beads has an outside surface formed into a spherically curved sector that is centered radially about the axis of the tubular member. The receiving duct at one end comprises a complementary spherical bore that seals against and retains the spherical outside surface of the tubular member while permitting the tubular member to articulate relative to the receiving duct. The receiving duct at the other end comprises a complementary cylindrical bore that seals against the spherical outside surface of the tubular member while permitting the tubular member both to articulate relative to and telescope in and out of the cylindrical bore. By incorporating an articulating and telescoping duct into the flow path of the reaction drive it is possible to route the exhaust gases from the engine to the rotor blades with less total duct length and with fewer bends than was heretofore possible, thereby reducing the total losses associated with the ducting with a concomitant increase in aircraft efficiency.