Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade having a blade body that defines a confined space and a control flap that is secured to the blade body that moves through a range of motion. An electric machine is secured inside of the rotor blade body that rotates a motor shaft. A transmission device is secured to the motor shaft and the control flap that transfers rotary motion of the motor shaft to the control flap to generate movement of the control flap through its range of motion. The transmission device remains substantially within the confined space throughout the range of motion.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication module within a rotating frame of reference and a second communication module within a fixed frame of reference. The first communication module and the second communication module in wireless communication at least partially through a hollow shaft.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication module within a rotating frame of reference and a second communication module within a fixed frame of reference. The first communication module and the second communication module in wireless communication at least partially through a hollow shaft.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade that has a blade body and a control flap secured to the blade body. The rotor blade has a first primary mover capable of generating a first linear motion that is sufficient to generate a high amplitude, low frequency motion of the control flap; and a second primary mover capable of generating a second linear motion that is sufficient to generate a small amplitude, high frequency motion of the control flap. Further, the rotor blade has a coupling transmission for combining the first linear motion with the second linear motion that generates a cumulative linear motion; and a second transmission device that causes the cumulative linear motion to rotate the control flap.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first damage prediction with a computational model using at least data from a first multitude of damage sensors on a structure, performing a second damage prediction with the computational model using at least data from a second multitude of load sensors associated with the structure, and selectively performing a damage monitoring action in response to the first damage prediction and the second damage prediction to determine a structural health A system includes a computing device configured to perform a first damage prediction using at least data from a multitude of damage sensors on a structure, a second damage predication using at least data from a multitude of load sensors associated with the structure, so as to selectively perform a damage monitoring action in response to the first damage prediction and the second damage prediction to determine a structural health of the structure.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade that has a blade body and a control flap secured to the blade body. The rotor blade has a first primary mover capable of generating a first linear motion that is sufficient to generate a high amplitude, low frequency motion of the control flap; and a second primary mover capable of generating a second linear motion that is sufficient to generate a small amplitude, high frequency motion of the control flap. Further, the rotor blade has a coupling transmission for combining the first linear motion with the second linear motion that generates a cumulative linear motion; and a second transmission device that causes the cumulative linear motion to rotate the control flap.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade having a blade body that defines a confined space and a control flap that is secured to the blade body that moves through a range of motion. An electric machine is secured inside of the rotor blade body that rotates a motor shaft. A transmission device is secured to the motor shaft and the control flap that transfers rotary motion of the motor shaft to the control flap to generate movement of the control flap through its range of motion. The transmission device remains substantially within the confined space throughout the range of motion.