Patent ID: 6019578
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: B64C,F03D,F05B,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
A rotor blade actuation system for a variable diameter rotor system, the variable diameter rotor system including a plurality of rotor blade assemblies mounted to and rotated by a rotor hub assembly about an axis of rotation, each rotor blade assembly having an inboard blade section and an outboard blade section, the outboard blade section being telescopically mounted to the inboard blade section, actuation of the outboard blade section is controlled by the rotor blade actuation system by varying the speed and direction between a main rotor shaft and a blade actuation shaft, the rotor blade actuation system comprising:a drive gear on the main rotor shaft and having a first set of teeth thereon;a blade actuation drive gear on the blade actuation drive shaft and having a first set of teeth thereon;a primary drive unit for transmitting rotary motion from the main rotor shaft to the blade actuation shaft, the primary drive unit includingan input gear engaged with the first set of teeth on the drive gear,a primary drive,a master clutch disposed between the input gear and the primary drive for controlling transmission of rotary motion therebetween,an output gear engaged with the first set of teeth on a blade actuation drive gear,an output drive engaged with the output gear,a forward planetary gearset operative for transmitting rotary motion from the primary drive to the output drive,a forward clutch for engaging the forward planetary gearset with the primary drive and the output drive, the engagement of the forward planetary gearset causing the blade actuation shaft to rotate in the same direction as the rotation of the main rotor shaft,a reverse planetary gearset operative for transmitting rotary motion from the primary drive to the output drive, anda reverse clutch for engaging the reverse planetary gearset with the primary drive and the output drive, the engagement of the reverse planetary gearset causing the blade actuation shaft to rotate in the opposite direction from the rotation of the main rotor shaft; anda rotor blade actuation control unit for controlling engagement and disengagement of the forward and reverse clutches.