Patent ID: 6161799
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
A rotor/wing apparatus comprising:a hub rotatable about an azimuthal axis;a first rotor blade attached to and extending radially outward from said hub, said first rotor blade being pivotable about a first pitch axis extending substantially radially outward from said hub;a second rotor blade attached to and extending radially outward from said hub, said second rotor blade being pivotable about a second pitch axis extending substantially radially outward from said hub, said second rotor blade comprising a lock engaging surface;a locking apparatus carried by said first rotor blade, said locking apparatus comprising a link and a resilient member, said resilient member urging said link into a first position in which said link engages said lock engaging surface to constrain said first rotor blade and said second rotor blade to pivot in unison about said first and second pitch axes, said link being moveable against said resilient member in response to centrifugal force about said azimuthal axis to move from said first position to a second position in which said link disengages said lock engaging surface, thereby permitting said first and second rotor blades to pivot independently about said first and second pitch axes.