Sequencing Cam for Dual Rotor Blade Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual rotor aircraft systems face challenges in preventing rotor blade interference during folding and rising operations, which affects the efficiency and safety of their deployment and recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sequencing cam system positioned between the rotor stations, which props the support arms of the first rotor blades when the second rotor blades are in the deployed configuration, preventing the first rotor blades from transitioning to the stowed configuration and ensuring they remain extended, and translates to a retracted orientation when the second rotor blades are stowed, allowing the first rotor blades to fold without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second rotor blades are deployed radially, then the first rotor blades cannot be stowed parallel to the fuselage due to interference, but this prevents efficient storage and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sequencing cam performs preliminary action by propping the support arms of the first rotor blades before the second rotor blades are fully deployed. This preliminary positioning prevents interference from occurring, allowing the second rotor blades to deploy radially without collision while the first rotor blades remain in a safe, extended configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequencing cam acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two rotor blade systems. It mediates the interaction by physically blocking the support arms of the first rotor blades, preventing them from transitioning to the stowed position during the deployment of the second rotor blades, thus resolving the interference problem through a controlling intermediate component.
2Ease of operation
If the first rotor blades are allowed to transition freely between deployed and stowed configurations, then the system is simpler to operate, but rotor blade interference occurs during folding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The sequencing cam serves as an intermediary control element that selectively restricts the free transition of the first rotor blades. During critical phases when the second rotor blades are deployed, the sequencing cam intervenes to prevent harmful interference. During other phases, it allows free transition, thus balancing ease of operation with safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequencing cam applies preliminary anti-action by propping the support arms of the first rotor blades in advance before interference can occur. This preemptive blocking prevents the harmful interaction between rotor blades during the deployment and folding operations of the second rotor blades.
3Reliability
If the sequencing cam props the support arms of the first rotor blades, then rotor blade interference is prevented, but mechanical stress increases on the support arms
Solution Approach 1:
The sequencing cam applies preliminary action by positioning and propping the support arms of the first rotor blades in advance of any potential interference. This controlled, timed application of force prevents interference while minimizing unnecessary stress, as the proping action is activated only during the critical deployment phase of the second rotor blades.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft has a fuselage, a first rotor assembly having a first rotor hub and first rotor blades pivotably coupled to the first rotor hub and a second rotor assembly having a second rotor hub and second rotor blades pivotably coupled to the second rotor hub. The first and second rotor blades have deployed configurations extending generally radially from the fuselage and stowed configurations extending generally parallel with the fuselage. A sequencing cam, positioned between the first and second rotor hubs, is coupled to the second rotor blades. The sequencing cam has a retracted orientation when the second rotor blades are in the stowed configuration and an extended orientation when the second rotor blades are in the deployed configuration in which the sequencing cam props support arms of the first rotor blades preventing transition of the first rotor blades from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration.