Patent ID: 8991747
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: B64C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method to modify a helicopter, comprising: removing a first tail rotor drive shaft cover that covers a tail rotor drive shaft that is mounted exterior to a tail boom of the helicopter; and physically coupling a replacement tail rotor drive shaft cover to a first exterior surface of the tail boom of the helicopter to cover the tail rotor drive shaft, the replacement tail rotor drive shaft cover having an approaching side that includes at least a portion that is not curved and extends directly in a vertical direction, an exiting side opposite the approaching side, and a vertical apex at an intersection between the approaching side and the exiting side, the approaching side, the exiting side, and the vertical apex which collectively form at least a portion of a second exterior surface of the replacement tail rotor drive shaft cover that causes acceleration of air flow along the exiting side and does not cause acceleration of air flow along the approaching side, the second exterior surface asymmetrical with respect to a vertical plane that passes through the vertical apex.