Abstract: The present invention includes a cooling system for a gearbox, the cooling system comprising: a pressurized housing in fluid communication with the gearbox configured to circulate a pressurized lubricant; and one or more cooling fins about the pressurized housing, wherein heat from the pressurized lubricant within the pressurized housing is actively convected through the one or more cooling fins.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shared cooling device for cooling one or more systems or components, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways. Each of the primary cooling pathways includes a fan, and each fan is in fluid communication with the shared cooling device.

Abstract: A removable oil filter system includes an oil filter mount, an oil filter element removably connected to the oil filter mount, an impending-bypass indicator connected to the oil filter mount and in fluid communication with an oil in the oil filter system, and a full-bypass indicator in fluid communication with the oil filter mount. The impending-bypass indicator is capable of reporting an impending-bypass condition of the oil filter system. The full-bypass indicator is capable of reporting a full-bypass condition of the oil filter system.

Abstract: An exemplary internal wireless sensor monitoring system includes a wireless sensor positioned inside of an enclosed housing to monitor a condition in the housing, a wireless gateway positioned outside of the housing, a gateway antenna located in the housing configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless sensor, and a conductor extending through a penetration in the housing and connecting the gateway antenna and the wireless gateway.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes: a gearbox including: a housing having an opening; an input pinion disposed in the housing; a moving feature mechanically coupled to the input pinion, the moving feature and the input pinion being operable to convert between power and torque; and first sensors disposed on the moving feature, the first sensors having batteries, where the moving feature is operable to rotate about a common axis, each of the first sensors being exposed by the opening as the moving feature rotates about the common axis.

Abstract: The present invention includes a fastener comprising: a fastener body having a longitudinal axis and a first external male threaded portion, and two or more through-holes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastener body in the threaded portion.

Abstract: A composite shaft has a fiber orientation that is a combination of fibers perpendicular to each other and a longitudinal axis of the shaft; and a second composite layer disposed at an angle ranging between 25 to 45 degrees+/?3 degrees from the fibers in the first composite layer; a third composite layer disposed at an angle ranging between 7 to 13 degrees+/?3 degrees from the fibers in the second composite layer and each subsequent transition layer(s); a fourth composite layer disposed at an angle ranging between 25 to 45 degrees+/?3 degrees from the fibers in the third composite layer(s); and a fifth composite generally perpendicular +/?3 degrees to each other and the fibers in the fourth composite layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system, method and kit for preventing or reducing water penetration of a gearbox, the system including: a fan or impeller coupled to the gearbox; and a hub coupled to the fan and shaped to provide a labyrinth seal that prevents or reduces water penetration into the gearbox.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shared cooling device for cooling one or more systems or components, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways. Each of the primary cooling pathways includes a fan, and each fan is in fluid communication with the shared cooling device.

Abstract: A removable oil filter system includes an oil filter mount, an oil filter element removably connected to the oil filter mount, an impending-bypass indicator connected to the oil filter mount and in fluid communication with an oil in the oil filter system, and a full-bypass indicator in fluid communication with the oil filter mount. The impending-bypass indicator is capable of reporting an impending-bypass condition of the oil filter system. The full-bypass indicator is capable of reporting a full-bypass condition of the oil filter system.

Abstract: An electric power tethering system for an aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode including a takeoff phase and/or a hover phase includes a surface power source and a power tether having a surface end configured to couple to the surface power source and an aircraft end configured to couple to the aircraft. The power tether is configured to transmit power from the surface power source to the aircraft in the takeoff phase and/or the hover phase. The power tether is detachable to decouple the surface power source from the aircraft in response to a power tether release event during flight.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a shared cooling device for one or more systems or components, and a plurality of primary cooling pathways. Each of the primary cooling pathways includes a transition duct and a fan. The transition duct is in fluid communication with the shared cooling device. The fan is in fluid communication with the transition duct.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for preventing aircraft rollover upon a water landing comprising: a deployable first and/or second boom affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft; and a first and/or second air bladder attached to a second end of the first and/or second boom, wherein the first and/or second air bladders are configured to inflate when an aircraft lands in the water, wherein deployment of the first and second boom and air bladder prevents aircraft rollover upon water landing; or a deployable keel affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and opposite a rotor of the aircraft upon a water landing, wherein the keel is sized to prevent aircraft rollover upon deployment; or both.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for preventing aircraft rollover upon a water landing comprising: a deployable first and/or second boom affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft; and a first and/or second air bladder attached to a second end of the first and/or second boom, wherein the first and/or second air bladders are configured to inflate when an aircraft lands in the water, wherein deployment of the first and second boom and air bladder prevents aircraft rollover upon water landing; or a deployable keel affixed by a first end to the aircraft and capable of deployment substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and opposite a rotor of the aircraft upon a water landing, wherein the keel is sized to prevent aircraft rollover upon deployment; or both.

Abstract: A gearbox filler assembly includes a cylindrical insert attached to an interior of a port disposed within a housing of the gearbox. The cylindrical insert has a first end disposed within the port, a second end extending outward from the port and is configured to receive a detachable filler cap, a retaining lip around at least a portion of a first interior circumference proximate to the first end, and a retaining slot around at least a second interior circumference between the retaining lip and the second end. A retaining ring is detachably coupled within the retaining slot. A cylindrical baffle is detachably retained between the retaining ring and the retaining lip.

Abstract: The present invention includes a helicopter rotor seal assembly comprising: a rotor mast having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface; a sleeve aligned longitudinally with the axis and surrounding a portion of the rotor mast, the sleeve having an outer surface, and an inner surface; an annular horizontal seal between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the rotor mast; and an upper annular rotor mast seal affixed to the outer surface of the rotor mast and extending outwardly sufficient to cover the annular horizontal seal.

Abstract: An example lubrication system for a rotating component has a primary lubrication system providing continuous lubrication during normal operation of the rotating component and secondary lubrication system with a reservoir co-rotating with the component. The reservoir is continuously replenished from the primary lubrication system during normal operation of the rotating system, with the lubricant being forced through a discharge orifice by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation toward, for example, a bearing or a gear. When the primary pressurized lubrication system fails, lubrication will continue to be provided by the lubricant in the supplemental lubricant reservoir while the rotation speed or power supplied to the shaft is controllably decreased in an emergency.

Abstract: A swashplate assembly includes: a mounting sleeve configured for coupling to and around an upper portion of a gearbox, wherein the mounting sleeve extends downwards from the upper portion of the gearbox; a tilt sleeve coupled to the mounting sleeve, wherein the tilt sleeve has a curved exterior surface; a non-rotating swashplate ring positioned around the tilt sleeve, wherein the non-rotating swashplate ring has a first set of pitch control connectors and an anti-rotation connector; a rotating swashplate ring rotatable about the non-rotating swashplate ring, wherein the rotating swashplate ring has a second set of pitch control connectors and a drive link connector; and a first bearing system mounted between the non-rotating swashplate ring and the rotating swashplate ring.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes: a gearbox including: a housing having an opening; an input pinion disposed in the housing; a moving feature mechanically coupled to the input pinion, the moving feature and the input pinion being operable to convert between power and torque; and first sensors disposed on the moving feature, the first sensors having batteries, where the moving feature is operable to rotate about a common axis, each of the first sensors being exposed by the opening as the moving feature rotates about the common axis.

Abstract: A rotorcraft component protected from abrasion or corrosion includes the rotorcraft component and a zinc-nickel coating on at least a portion of a surface of the rotorcraft component, wherein the zinc-nickel coating protects the portion of the surface of the rotorcraft component from abrasion or corrosion. The rotorcraft component is a main rotor mast, a tail rotor mast, a gear, a main rotor gearbox, or one or more gears in an accessory gearbox, a reduction gearbox, an intermediate gearbox, or a tail rotor gearbox.