Foldable Rotor Blade Adapter With Angled Attachment Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rotor assemblies face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively folding rotor blades without damaging components or affecting operation, often requiring complex load-bearing configurations and component removal.
Innovation Solution
The use of an adapter with specific lateral features and load-bearing material distribution within the rotor assembly, allowing for rotation about a fold axis and enabling folding without removing fairings, utilizing materials like forged titanium or composite fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex load-bearing material configurations are used to transfer load during folding, then component damage is prevented, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into distinct functional segments: outboard features (lugs) for blade attachment, inboard features (arms) for hub connection, and a support member providing structural integrity. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific load-bearing function during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the rotor blade assembly and the rotor hub, providing a dedicated interface that handles the complex load transfer during folding. This mediator approach isolates the complexity from both the blade and hub, allowing them to remain simpler in design.
2Ease of operation
If component removal is required to enable folding, then folding is achieved, but procedure complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-configured with attachment surfaces and structural features that enable folding capability before the folding operation begins. The outboard and inboard features are designed in advance to accommodate the folding motion, eliminating the need for preliminary component removal or disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter performs multiple functions: it attaches the blade to the hub, provides structural support during rotation, and enables the folding motion itself. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components and operations into a single integrated element.
3Reliability
If non-parallel attachment surfaces are used in the adapter, then load transfer during folding is optimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment surfaces are designed with specific local geometries and orientations optimized for their particular function: outboard lug surfaces are configured for blade spar attachment, while inboard arm surfaces are oriented for hub connection. Each surface has its own quality characteristics tailored to its specific load transfer role, rather than requiring uniform precision across all surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for a rotor blade assembly including a support member having an outboard surface and an inboard surface; an outboard feature extending laterally from the outboard surface of the support member and including a first lug and a second lug; an inboard feature extending laterally from the inboard surface of the support member and including a first arm and a second arm. The outboard feature and the inboard feature are configured such that a plane defined by an attachment surface of at least one of the first lug and the second lug is non-parallel to a plane defined by an attachment surface of at least one of the first arm and the second arm.