Abstract: A drive mechanism for a rotary aircraft includes an outer drive member having a plurality of drive trunnions extending therefrom; a middle drive member resiliently coupled to the outer drive member; and an inner drive member resiliently coupled to the middle drive member.

Abstract: A swashplate system includes a rotating outer ring and a non-rotating inner ring, the rotating outer ring being adapted to carry a coil of wire and the non-rotating inner ring being adapted to carry a first and a second magnet. The first and second magnets create a magnetic field and an electrical current is created as the coil of wire passes through the magnetic field as the rotating outer ring rotates.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of an article enclosing built-in fitment components in the form of a hollow body of thermoplastic material. The hollow body is preferably in the form of a fuel tank. The process includes the extrusion of one or more preforms in web or tube form of plasticized material between the opened portions of a mold tool forming a cavity, wherein at least one built-in fitment component to be enclosed by the finished article is placed between the portions of the mold tool and the tool is closed around the preforms and the built-in fitment component, wherein the preforms within the cavity enclosed by the tool acquire the external configuration of the article. The built-in fitment component is pressed during or directly after the shaping operation against the inside wall of the article while still plastic so that the plastic material of the hollow body penetrates through at least one recess or opening of the built-in fitment component and flows therebehind.

Abstract: A method of the present disclosure includes of repairing a core stiffened structure with structural foam. Another method includes splicing core members together using structural foam. Another method includes joining a core member to a structure using structural foam. Another method includes using structural foam to stabilize a core member during a machining process. Another method includes stabilizing a core member with structural foam to prevent the core member from crushing in autoclave pressure. The present disclosure further includes a core stiffened structure have a core member with structural foam therein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotor break includes a first braking surface having an opening therethrough, a second braking surface adjacent to the first braking surface, and an impeller disposed between the first and second braking surfaces such that rotation of the impeller pulls fluid through the opening of the first braking surface and expels the fluid out through a gap between the first and second braking surfaces.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotor brake control system includes a temperature sensor operable to measure an operating temperature of a rotor brake and a rotor brake control unit operable to instruct a caliper to adjust, based on the measured operating temperature, an amount of friction generated between a brake pad and the rotor brake.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a door system includes a door attachment device and a receiver. The door attachment device may be coupled to a door, and the receiver may be coupled to a door frame. A receiving surface of the receiver may be configured to at least partially receive the door attachment device along a first axis. The receiving surface may have a non-planar portion curved relative to the first axis such that the receiving surface responds to movement of the door attachment device in a direction parallel to a second axis, the second axis perpendicular to the first axis, by repositioning the door attachment device in a third direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the first axis and the second axis.

Abstract: A motion capture environment includes at least one sensor-tracker for tracking a location of a tracked object within the motion capture environment and one or more computers collectively operable to generate a virtual reality environment including a virtual control panel having a virtual control that, when actuated, effects a predetermined result in the virtual reality environment; determine a virtual location of the tracked object within the virtual reality environment; and determine when the virtual location of the tracked object coincides with the location of the virtual control to actuate the virtual control. The motion capture environment further includes a display device for displaying the virtual reality environment to an actor within the motion capture environment.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a bearing is situated between a pitch link and a swashplate or a hub. The bearing comprises an outer housing having a first opening therethrough, an elastomeric bearing adjacent the housing inside the first opening and having a second opening therethrough, and an inner housing adjacent the elastomeric bearing inside the second opening and having a third opening therethrough. The inner housing comprising a first inner surface and a second inner surface defining the third opening. A first member is adjacent the first inner surface inside the third opening having a fourth opening therethrough. A second member is adjacent the second inner surface inside the third opening having a fifth opening therethrough coaxial with the fourth opening.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a first axle, a second axle, an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and a torque transfer device. The first axle is coupled to first and second wheels. The second axle is coupled to third and fourth wheels. The electric motor drives the first axle in a first direction and a second direction at different times. The internal combustion engine drives a transmission output shaft in one direction. The torque transfer device selectively drives the second axle in the first direction in response to rotation of the transmission output shaft in the one direction. The torque transfer device also selectively drives the second axle in the second direction in response to rotation of the transmission output shaft in the one direction.

Abstract: A system and method to change a spring rate of a damper in real time. The damper includes a housing having an inner surface that forms a cavity. An elastomeric material is disposed within the cavity and fixedly attached to the inner surface of the housing. A first chamber is formed by a first end of the elastomeric material and the inner surface of the housing. The method includes restricting movement of the elastomeric material by regulating the pressure within the first chamber, which in turn changes the spring rate of the damper.

Abstract: In some aspects, a master cylinder assembly for vertical lift aircraft is configured to move pressurized fluid through a conduit in response to applied movement of an input lever. A low pressure relief valve can be connected to a first conduit to limit pressure to a low level. An isolation valve can be connected to the first conduit and configured to isolate the low pressure relief valve from the conduit when engaged. A high pressure relief valve can be connected to a second fluid conduit to limit pressure to a high level. In some aspects, a rotor brake actuator is fluidly connected to the first conduit and the second conduit and configured to engage a rotor brake in response to hydraulic fluid pressure.

Abstract: A structure for use with an electrothermal heating element is disclosed comprising a heating element contained in a mat and heater supports attached to one surface of the mat. The heating element is disposed between the skin and internal structure of an aircraft with the heater supports disposed toward the internal structure thereof. The heater supports maintain an insulating layer of air between the mat and the internal structure of the aircraft.

Abstract: The device is configured for moving a fluid within a gearbox. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a base portion coupled to a rotatable member within the gearbox. An inlet portion of the device is configured to draw the fluid from a reservoir portion of the gearbox. The device is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid from the inlet portion toward the base portion along an interior surface of a conical portion. In another illustrative embodiment, the device includes a conical portion having an external threaded portion configured to capture a fluid during a rotation of the device. In such an embodiment, the threaded portion is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid captured by the threaded portion along an exterior surface of the conical portion.

Abstract: An inlet system for a rotorcraft includes a cowl door assembly and a plenum assembly. The cowl door assembly includes a door member, a cowl inlet opening, and a cowl inlet duct. The plenum assembly is configured to free float in relation to the cowl door. The plenum assembly includes a plenum duct with a plenum band configured to attach the plenum assembly to an inlet opening. An aft seal is located between the aft plenum flange and a firewall, the aft seal being configured to provide a compressive contact between the plenum assembly and the firewall.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a connection body and a connection element arranged at least partially within the connection body. The connection body is operable to couple to a first element in a link arrangement and the connection element is operable to couple to a second element in the link arrangement. The apparatus further includes a metallic spring system arranged circumferentially around at least a portion of the connection element. The metallic spring system is operable to compress in response to relative movement between the connection body and the connection element.

Abstract: A device has a first electrically conductive component, a second electrically conductive component, and an electrically conductive nanocoating (ECN) electrically connecting the first electrically conductive component to the second electrically conductive component. An aircraft has an engine, a fuselage, and a device having a first electrically conductive component, a second electrically conductive component, and an electrically conductive nanocoating (ECN) electrically connecting the first electrically conductive component to the second electrically conductive component. A method of providing an electrical conduction path includes providing a first electrically conductive component, providing a second electrically conductive component, and decreasing an electrical resistance between the first electrically conductive component and the second electrically conductive component using an electrically conductive nanocoating (ECN).

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced, organic matrix, composite structural member includes a plurality of layers of fiber-reinforced, organic matrix, composite material in which adjacent layers are bonded to one another, wherein the structural member exhibits a non-linear stress-strain response when mechanically loaded to failure. A helicopter landing gear includes a pair of skids and one or more cross members extending between the pair of skids. The one or more cross members includes a plurality of layers of fiber-reinforced, organic matrix, composite material in which adjacent layers are bonded to one another, wherein the cross members exhibit non-linear stress-strain responses when mechanically loaded to failure.

Abstract: A foldable rotor system for a rotorcraft, the foldable rotor system comprising a rotor assembly operably associated with a driveshaft, the driveshaft being operable associated with an engine, the rotor assembly comprising a rotor blade connected to a grip pin. A swashplate is operable associated with the grip pin in order selectively change a pitch of the rotor blade. A blade fold actuator is operably associated with the grip pin such that the blade fold actuator is configured to fold and unfold the rotor blade about a blade fold axis. During an airplane mode, the rotorcraft can stop and fold the rotor blades so that the rotorcraft relies upon thrust from the engine for propulsion. The rotor blades are folded in a spiral fold path so that the rotor blades remain substantially edgewise, or feathered, during the folding process. The spiral fold path minimizes the aerodynamic drag experienced by the rotor blades while being folded during flight of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: A bearing can include a ball member, a race, and a liner located on an interior surface of the race, the liner having a first surface bonded to an interior surface of the race, the liner having a second surface that is adjacent to the ball member. The bearing also includes a wafer having a wear surface that is aligned with the second surface of the liner, the wafer being an electrically conductive member. Operational wear of the liner can be calculated by comparing a measured resistance of the wafer to an original known resistance of the wafer.