Apparatus and methods for making rotorcraft rotor blades
US-2018002038-A1 · Jan 4, 2018 · US
Variable sweep rotorcraft blade tip
US10787251B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-10787251-B2 |
| Application number | US-201815871002-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2018 |
| Priority date | Mar 7, 2017 |
| Publication date | Sep 29, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 2020 |
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- Title
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- Abstract
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Abstract
Official abstract text for this publication.
A helicopter has a mast axis and a rotorcraft blade assembly. The rotorcraft blade assembly has a main body and a blade tip movable relative to the main body. The rotorcraft blade assembly is selectively rotatable about the mast axis.
First claim
Opening claim text (preview).
What is claimed is: 1. A rotorcraft blade assembly, comprising: a main body; and a blade tip movable relative to the main body about an axis perpendicular relative to the span of the main body; wherein the blade tip is connected to the main body using a pin that extends across and through a spar of the main body; wherein a leading tip profile of the blade tip is curved as viewed from above and is complementary to a leading blade profile of the rotorcraft blade assembly; and wherein a contact between the blade tip and each of the upper and lower portions of the outer skin of the main body is maintained throughout movement of the blade tip relative to the main body. 2. The rotorcraft blade assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spar is tubular. 3. The rotorcraft blade assembly of claim 1 , wherein movement of the blade tip relative to the main body is accomplished using at least one of a linear motor disposed within the main body and a bellcrank disposed within the main body. 4. The rotor blade assembly of claim 1 , wherein a trailing blade profile is flexible and configured to receive a portion of the blade tip in a gap formed by the trailing blade profile. 5. A helicopter, comprising: a mast axis; and a rotorcraft blade assembly, comprising: a main body; and a blade tip movable relative to the main body about an axis perpendicular relative to the span of the main body; wherein the blade tip is connected to the main body using a pin that extends across and through a spar of the main body; wherein the rotorcraft blade assembly is selectively rotatable about the mast axis; and wherein a leading tip profile of the blade tip is curved as viewed from above and is complementary to a leading blade profile of the rotorcraft blade assembly; and wherein a contact between the blade tip and each of the upper and lower portions of the outer skin of the main body is maintained throughout movement of the blade tip relative to the main body. 6. The helicopter of claim 5 , wherein the maintained contact comprises contact between the blade tip and a leading blade profile of the main body. 7. The helicopter of claim 5 , wherein the maintained contact comprises contact between the blade tip and a trailing blade profile of the main body. 8. A method of operating a helicopter, comprising: providing a helicopter comprising: a rotorcraft blade assembly, comprising: a main body; and a blade tip that is selectively movable relative to the main body about an axis perpendicular relative to the span of the main body, wherein the blade tip is connected to the main body using a pin that extends across and through a spar of the main body; and moving the blade tip relative to the main body; wherein a leading tip profile of the blade tip is curved as viewed from above and is complementary to a leading blade profile of the rotorcraft blade assembly; and wherein a contact between the blade tip and each of the upper and lower portions of the outer skin of the main body is maintained throughout movement of the blade tip relative to the main body. 9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the moving the blade tip relative to the main body is performed while rotating the rotorcraft blade assembly about a mast axis of the helicopter.
Assignees
Inventors
Classifications
with individually articulated blades, i.e. with flapping or drag hinges · CPC title
having articulated joints · CPC title
- B64C27/463Primary
Blade tips · CPC title
Constructional features · CPC title
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Frequently asked questions
Answers are generated from the same data shown on this page.
- What does patent US10787251B2 cover?
- A helicopter has a mast axis and a rotorcraft blade assembly. The rotorcraft blade assembly has a main body and a blade tip movable relative to the main body. The rotorcraft blade assembly is selectively rotatable about the mast axis.
- Who is the assignee on this patent?
- Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, Textron Innovations Inc
- What technology area does this patent fall under?
- Primary CPC classification B64C27/463. Mapped technology areas include Operations & Transport.
- When was this patent published?
- Publication date Tue Sep 29 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
- What related patents are in patentsdb?
- We list 3 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).