Adjustable Spacer Linkage for Rotor Blade Fold Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blade folding systems in rotary-wing aircraft are cumbersome, limiting their efficiency in flight and requiring significant structural space, which hinders rapid deployment and stowage, especially in limited environments like ships.
Innovation Solution
A linkage assembly with an adjustable spacer and a linear actuator that allows the rotor blade sections to rotate about a blade fold axis, enabling precise control of the folding position and reducing the structural envelope, comprising a bracket, spacer assembly, and actuator system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional blade folding systems are used, then the rotor blade can fold about a blade fold axis, but the system becomes cumbersome and decreases flight efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blade is divided into multiple sections (first section and second section) that can rotate independently about a blade fold axis. The linkage assembly is segmented into separate components (bracket, spacer assembly, actuator) that work together to enable folding. This segmentation allows the blade to achieve the folded configuration while reducing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade folding system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic configurable structure. The second section can rotate between an aligned position (for flight) and a rotated position (for stowage), with the spacer assembly allowing dynamic adjustment of the rotated position. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between different operational states without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If the rotor blade is designed to fold to reduce structural envelope, then deployment and stowage are facilitated, but the folding system becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
When the rotor blade is folded, the second section rotates to position itself alongside or within the spatial envelope of the first section, creating a nested or compact configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the overall structural envelope (volume) of the rotor assembly when stored or transported, achieving the goal of reduced space occupation without requiring excessively complex folding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade folding mechanism utilizes rotation about a blade fold axis perpendicular to the blade span, transforming the problem from reducing spanwise length to managing volumetric envelope through three-dimensional reconfiguration. The spacer assembly controls the distance between sections in the radial direction, enabling precise control of the folded envelope volume through dimensional manipulation rather than simple linear compression.
3Productivity
If an adjustable spacer assembly is used to control blade fold position, then flight efficiency is improved, but the linkage assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer assembly allows adjustment of the distance between the first and second sections when folded, enabling optimization of the blade fold angle and position. By changing the spacer thickness parameter, the system can achieve optimal flight efficiency characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple linkage structure. The adjustability provides fine-tuning capability without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer assembly acts as an intermediary element between the bracket and the second section, mediating the distance and relative position between these components. This intermediary component simplifies the overall linkage design by providing a straightforward mechanical means to control fold position, avoiding the need for complex adjustable mechanisms or active control systems while still achieving the desired flight efficiency improvements.
Data Source
AI summary
A linkage assembly configured for use on a rotor blade having a first section and a second section, the second section being configured to rotate about a blade fold axis between an aligned position and a rotated position relative to the first section is provided. The linkage assembly includes a bracket having a first portion rotatably coupled to the first section about the blade fold axis and a second portion mounted to the second section. A spacer assembly is positioned between the bracket and an adjacent wall of the second section. The overall thickness of the spacer assembly is adjustable to control a distance between the second section and the bracket to adjust the rotated position.