Patent ID: 6140720
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
A device for thermally protecting at least one elastomeric component of a rotorcraft rotor, of the type comprising:a hub, rotationally integral with a mast about a rotation axis of the rotor;at least two blades, each of which is fastened and hinged to the hub by a root-fitting part, and, for each blade; andat least one elastomeric component comprising at least one elastomer layer between two rigid metal reinforcements, one of which is connected to said blade and the other to one of two other components of the rotor, which are the hub and another blade of the rotor, wherein the thermal protection device comprises, at least one element fitted onto the rotor so as to decrease the heat exchange between said elastomeric component and at least the ambient air, wherein the at least one element is at least one thermally insulating element having at least one layer of a thermal insulation material, and means for fitting said element onto an elastomeric component so as to at least partially cover said elastomeric component, the at least one thermally insulating element is fitted onto said elastomeric component so as to at least partially cover free surfaces of said elastomeric component which are exposed to the ambient air, and includes a flexible sheath which is made of a thermal insulation material and which at least partially surrounds said elastomeric component, said sheath is made of a thermal insulation material which is elastically deformable, so that the sheath is at least partially held against said elastomeric component by the intrinsic elasticity of said sheath.