Abstract: A yaw control system for a rotorcraft featuring a floor mounted pair of pedals configured to measure an up and down motion of a pair of pedals and utilize that up and down motion as a yaw moment control input. The pair of pedals can rock laterally, fore and aft, or vertically. The pair of pedals can be mechanically interconnected to other pairs of pedals or electrically interconnected to duplicate motion across pairs of pedals.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes a plurality of passages through a leading edge of a component of an aircraft. The thermal management system is configured to circulate coolant from a heat source through the plurality of passages in order to maximize heat transfer from the coolant to the airflow passing over the leading edge.

Abstract: A composite assembly has an outer spar component having an outer spar component inner profile, an inner spar component having an inner spar component outer profile substantially complementary to the outer spar component inner profile, and an adhesive disposed between the outer spar component and the inner spar component.

Abstract: One example of a cowling assembly for a rotorcraft includes a stationary fairing affixed to an airframe of the rotorcraft, an articulated fairing hinged on the stationary fairing for articulation relative to the stationary fairing between a closed position, a first partially open maintenance position and a second fully open maintenance position. The articulated fairing is supported in the first maintenance position by a for example gas-charged strut and is releasably locked in the second maintenance position against the stationary fairing by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a latch blade disposed on the stationary fairing and a latch arranged on the articulated fairing, wherein a latch pin engages with a hole or recess in the latch blade when the latch blade extends through a slot in the articulated fairing.

Abstract: An exemplary convertible engine includes an engine housing forming a fan duct extending from a fan inlet to an exhaust; a fan positioned in the fan duct proximate the fan inlet; an engine core located in the fan duct aft of the fan, the engine core coupled to the fan by a fan shaft; a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the engine core and extending exterior of the engine housing; and a dedicated core inflow duct coupled to the core and having a core inlet to capture and direct air into the engine core. An inlet barrier filter may be located in the dedicated core inflow duct. The core inlet may be located inside of the fan duct or exterior to the fan duct. A gearbox may be operationally connected to the fan shaft and may be located inside of the fan duct.

Abstract: An intentionally activated frangible bonding system comprises a frangible adhesive, adhesive primer, composite material matrix, and/or the like, having a polydispersion of at least one additive spread throughout the frangible bonding material. The additive degrades a bond provided by the frangible bonding material, upon application of a specific energy to the frangible bonding material. An energy emitter is configured to selectively direct the specific energy toward a structure or assembly comprising components bonded by the frangible bonding material to degrade the frangible bonding material bonding the components for disassembly.

Abstract: A gas-leak management system including a primary duct; and a leak-management duct, at least a portion of the leak-management duct surrounding at least a portion of the primary duct, wherein the leak-management duct includes a gap between the portion of the primary duct and the portion of the leak-management duct, and including one or more vent holes in fluid communication with the gap.

Abstract: A removable passive airflow oscillation device can be disposed within a pressurized wing structure utilized as a plenum. The passive airflow oscillation device can be a removable insert disposed into exterior vehicle surfaces with pressurization of a sealed chamber to provide the airflow. The device can include a cavity configured to receive the airflow from an ingress opening, direct the airflow therethrough to generate a predetermined oscillating airflow, and expel the oscillatory airflow from the egress opening. The removable passive airflow oscillation devices can provide quick and simple replacement and maintenance of damaged or clogged devices. The aft chamber of the flap seal can be sealed and pressurized to serve as a plenum providing the airflow to the actuators. The device can receive airflow, such as compressor air, and expel an oscillating airflow. Because each device is self-contained the number of devices and location thereof can vary by application.

Abstract: A dynamic rotor-phasing unit can phase rotors in-flight for dynamic rotor tuning and in an idle state for aircraft storage. The input and output shafts can be clocked (e.g., rotated) from 0 degrees apart to in excess of 360 degrees apart or from 0 degrees apart to 140 degrees apart. Such rotation can minimize the footprint of an aircraft for stowing purposes, as the rotor blades can be folded to fit within a smaller area without disconnecting the drive system. Additionally, the unit can allow tiltrotor blades to be clocked during flight, which can allow the live-tuning of the aircraft's rotor dynamics. A fail-safe rotary actuator can rotate a stationary planet carrier to clock the input shaft and the output shaft. Alternatively, an actuator can position a slider housing to clock the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A ducted fan assembly has a central axis, a duct having an outer wall and an inner wall, a fan hub at least partially disposed on the central axis, a plurality of fan blades coupled to the fan hub, and a first stator. The first stator has a first end coupled to the inner wall, a second end coupled to the inner wall, and a hub interface disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the hub interface is coupled to the fan hub.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for use in an aircraft comprising has a rotor hub, a spinner structure comprising a spinner opening, and a rotor blade received through the spinner opening. The rotor blade has a rotor root located proximate to the rotor hub. The rotor assembly also has a motive fairing face that at least partially rests along the rotor hub.

Abstract: A spar assembly has a spar having a tip comprising a most outboard portion of the spar, a root comprising a most inboard portion of the spar, a main section disposed inboard relative to the tip, and a middle section disposed inboard relative to the main section. The spar also has a transition section disposed between the main section and the middle section and the transition section has an outboard interface cross-sectional shape and an inboard cross-sectional shape that is different than the outboard interface cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An afterbody for a rotor blade of a rotorcraft is unitarily formed of a single material of construction. The afterbody includes an upper surface disposed from a lower surface, a concave leading edge connected to the upper surface and the lower surface, and a trailing edge formed at an intersection of the upper surface with the lower surface.

Abstract: There is provided an ice protection system for a rotary aircraft, including a rotor blade susceptible to an ice buildup having an inboard portion and an outboard portion, the length of the inboard portion and the length of the outboard portion define a total length of the rotor blade; a first deicing system coupled to the inboard portion of the rotor blade, the first deicing system including a plurality of spanwise zones; and a second deicing system coupled to the outboard portion of the rotor blade, the second deicing system including a plurality of chordwise zones. In one aspect, there is provided a deicing system for a rotary aircraft. In another aspect, there is a method to de-ice a rotor blade of an aircraft.

Abstract: An example of an aerial vehicle includes a rudder removably connected to the aerial vehicle by a twist lock mechanism. The twist lock mechanism is biased in a locked position by an elastic member.

Abstract: The present invention includes an a plurality of first variable speed motors arranged in a first matrix pattern and mounted on a tail boom of the helicopter; one or more fixed pitch blades attached to each of the plurality of first variable speed motors; and wherein a speed of one or more of the plurality of first variable speed motors is varied to provide an anti-torque thrust.

Abstract: A mounting system for a vibration isolation device comprises a support structure having an opening disposed therein, the opening having a concave recess; a thin elastomeric component attached to a surface of the concave recess; and a spherical elastomeric bearing disposed in the opening and attached to the thin elastomeric component, the spherical elastomeric bearing having a beveled upper portion, a middle portion and a beveled lower portion configured to engage the vibration isolation devices.

Abstract: A folding yoke comprising a center yoke pivotally connected to separate foldable flexible yoke arms permits rotor blade fold about a single through bolt connection inboard of a set of bearings. In use, the compact folded arrangement of the rotor blades reduces folded aircraft dimensions in response to ever increasing restricted storage space parameters.

Abstract: A folding rotor blade assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft comprising a rotor blade pivotally connected to a grip with dual concentric blade bolts having a common central axis providing a pivotal axis inboard of an outboard bearing. A folding spindle connects the outboard bearing to an outboard tip of a yoke. The outboard bearing and the spindle fold with the rotor blade relative to the yoke. In use, the compact folded arrangement of the rotor blades reduces folded aircraft dimensions in response to ever increasing restricted storage space parameters.