Abstract: A rotor blade system includes a hub assembly pivotally attached to a rotor blade, a mast attached to the hub assembly, and a swashplate engaged with the mast, the swashplate includes a non-rotating ring and a rotating ring. The method to raise the swashplate includes using an anti-drive link system pivotally engaged with a transmission top case and pivotally engaged with the non-rotating ring.

Abstract: A multi-piece inboard beam assembly for use in a rotor blade assembly of a rotorcraft. The inboard beam assembly includes an inboard beam connected to an inboard beam fitting with an anti-rotational connection. The inboard beam is connected to a yoke via bearings and the inboard beam fitting is connected to a grip in a double shear condition. In use, the grip, the inboard beam fitting with the double shear connection, the inboard beam, a centrifugal force bearing held by the inboard beam, and the yoke carry the centrifugal force created upon rotation of the rotor blade assembly.

Abstract: A tri-hybrid yoke including a center ring connected to a CF fitting connected to flexure arms. An inboard centrifugal force bearing assembly connects to the CF fitting and a grip. An outboard shear bearing assembly connects to the flexure arm and the grip. In use, the center ring and the CF fittings carry the centrifugal force at a position inboard of the flexure arm.

Abstract: A hybrid yoke including a center and yoke arms connected to flexure arms. An inboard centrifugal force bearing assembly connects to the yoke arm and a grip and an outboard shear bearing assembly connects to the flexure arm and the grip. In use, the center and yoke arms carry the centrifugal force at a position inboard of the flexure arm.

Abstract: A drive coupling has first and second coaxial end adapters. A first set of at least two coaxial helical elements has a first end of each element attached to the first end adapter, and a second end of each element is coupled to the second end adapter. At least one biasing device biases the end adapters relative to each other. Torque applied to one of the end adapters is transferred through the first set of helical elements to the other end adapter, the helical elements allowing for misalignment of the end adapters during operation.

Abstract: A fuel system for an aircraft includes a fuel cell having a plurality of sides including a first side and at least one deformable clip having a secured end and a free end. The secured end is coupled to the first side of the fuel cell and the free end overlapping the airframe of the aircraft such that the first side of the fuel cell is positioned adjacent to the airframe. The at least one deformable clip is deformable to allow the fuel cell to move independently of the airframe in response to an impact of the aircraft, thereby protecting the fuel cell from damage resulting from the impact.

Abstract: A tail sitter aircraft includes a fuselage having a forward portion, an aft portion and a longitudinally extending fuselage axis. At least two wings are supported by the forward portion of the fuselage. A distributed propulsion system includes at least one propulsion assembly operably associated with each fixed wing and is operable to provide forward thrust during forward flight and vertical thrust during vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing. A tailboom assembly extends from the aft portion of the fuselage and includes a plurality of rotatably mounted tail arms having control surfaces and landing members. In a forward flight configuration, the tail arms are radially retracted to reduce tail surface geometry and provide yaw and pitch control with the control surfaces. In a landing configuration, the tail arms are radially extended relative to the fuselage axis to form a stable ground contact base with the landing members.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device includes a body and a reed. The body has a primary inflow passage, a secondary inflow passage, and an outflow passage. The reed is disposed at least partially within the body. The reed is configured to move to a first position when a fluid flows from the primary inflow passage and move to a second position when the fluid flows from the secondary inflow passage.

Abstract: A power system for an aircraft includes a plurality of power consumers each operable to consume power in a range from zero to maximum power demand and collectively capable of consuming a combined maximum power demand, a power source operable to output power to the power consumers and a power allocation system operable to allocate power from the power source to the power consumers based on an operational parameter of the aircraft. The power allocated by the power allocation system is less than the combined maximum power demand of the power consumers, thereby allowing the power source to have a maximum power output less than the combined maximum power demand of the power consumers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and non-transitory computer readable storage media for airspace management within an airspace region at a node of a peer to peer network having a plurality of nodes and maintaining a blockchain containing a current deconflicted flight schedule for the airspace region. One method includes receiving requests for airspace reservations, each including flight plan data, from other nodes over the peer to peer network, compiling the flight plan data to identify conflicts between the requests and the current deconflicted flight schedule, validating the flight plan data of the requests that do not conflict with the current deconflicted flight schedule to generate validated airspace reservations, creating a block containing the validated airspace reservations and interlinking the block with the blockchain such that the blockchain contains a new deconflicted flight schedule for the airspace region for broadcast to the other nodes over the peer to peer network.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a panel includes laying up a first laminate on a tooling surface, laying a first layer of thermoplastic on an inner surface of the first laminate, laying a large cell carbon core on the first layer of thermoplastic, laying a second layer of thermoplastic across the large cell carbon core, laying a second laminate on the second layer of thermoplastic, creating a sealed core pocket by bonding the edges of the first and second layers of the thermoplastic surrounding a perimeter of the core, increasing pressure within the core pocket, increasing pressure on the outer surface of the second laminate, heating the panel to a desired curing temperature, and maintaining the increased pressures and temperature for a desired curing duration.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a maximum asymmetric condition between pylon tilt angles due to a degraded pylon in a fly-by-wire tiltrotor aircraft during transitions between airplane mode and helicopter mode includes a conversion system for imparting movement on a right and left pylon. A flight control computer is operatively connected to a set of transducers for measuring pylon angles. The flight control computer is further connected to a set of actuators which are attached to each pylon. The flight control computer receives flight dynamics input from the set of transducers and/or the pilot and sends pylon command to the set of actuators. The conversion system measures the difference between the pylon angles during the transition and provides a pylon command adjustment if the difference exceeds a preset threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a fuselage, an airframe that provides structural rigidity to the fuselage, and at least one door that allows access to an interior of the fuselage through an opening in the fuselage. The aircraft includes an overlapping, tongue and groove door interface formed between a frame of the door and a portion of the airframe that at least partially borders the opening in the fuselage. At least a portion of the airframe includes a concavity. At least a portion of the door frame includes a complementary shaped profile to the concavity of the airframe. The complementary profile of the door frame and the concavity of the airframe form a seal between the door frame and the airframe when the complementary portion is at least partially received within the concavity by selectively rotating the door to its closed position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a rotor hub comprises a yoke for attaching a plurality of rotor blades, a constant velocity joint to drive torque from a mast to the yoke and to enable the yoke to pivot, and a rotor control system configured to adjust an orientation of the plurality of rotor blades. Moreover, the rotor control system comprises: a swashplate, a phase adapter fulcrum, a plurality of actuators controlled based on a flight control input, a plurality of lower pitch links configured to transfer motion between the plurality of actuators and the swashplate, a plurality of phase adjustment levers configured to adjust a control phase associated with motion transferred between the plurality of actuators and the plurality of lower pitch links, and a plurality of upper pitch links configured to adjust a pitch of the plurality of rotor blades, wherein there are more upper pitch links than lower pitch links.

Abstract: A torque box rib includes an upper rib cap configured to be coupled to an upper skin of a wing, a lower rib cap configured to be coupled to a lower skin of the wing, a forward post configured to be coupled to a forward spar of the wing, an aft post configured to be coupled to an aft spar of the wing, and a rib web configured to be coupled to the upper rib cap, the lower rib cap, the forward post, and the aft post.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe and a distributed propulsion system including a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the airframe. Each of the propulsion assemblies includes a nacelle, an engine disposed within the nacelle, a proprotor coupled to the engine and a thrust vectoring system. Each thrust vectoring system includes a pivoting plate, a rotary actuator operable to rotate the pivoting plate about a propulsion assembly centerline axis and a linear actuator operable to pivot the pivoting plate about a pivot axis that is normal to the propulsion assembly centerline axis. The engine is mounted on the pivoting plate such that operation of the pivoting plate enables resolution of a thrust vector within a thrust vector cone.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an aircraft operable to generate a variable thrust output at a constant rotational speed. The rotor assembly includes a mast rotatable at the constant speed about a mast axis. A rotor hub is coupled to and rotatable with the mast. The rotor hub includes a plurality of spindle grips extending generally radially outwardly. Each of the spindle grips is coupled to one of a plurality of rotor blades and is operable to rotate therewith about a pitch change axis. A collective pitch control mechanism is coupled to and rotatable with the rotor hub. The collective pitch control mechanism is operably associated with each spindle grip such that actuation of the collective pitch control mechanism rotates each spindle grip about the respective pitch change axis to collectively control the pitch of the rotor blades, thereby generating the variable thrust output.

Abstract: A testing apparatus, inspection system, and method for through-transmission ultrasonic testing. The testing apparatus includes a yoke having a support member with a pair of hinge joints, each hinge joint located on an end of the support member; a pair of arms extending from the support member having a hinge end and a pivotable transducer end, each arm being coupled to the hinge joint at the hinge end and extending to the pivotable transducer end; a pair of transducer support members disposed on each of the pivotal transducer ends; and a tension member connected to the pair of arms for aligning the pair of transducer support members during testing.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes one or more fans and one or more shafts. Each of the one or more fans includes a fan blade assembly. Each of the one or more shafts is operably coupled to an engine or a gearbox that rotates the shaft. Each fan blade assembly of the one or more fans is disposed on one of the shafts.

Abstract: A rotor system including a hub; a rim configured to rotate about the hub, the rim including an interior surface and an engagement surface; a plurality of rotor blades extending from the hub and coupled to the interior surface of the rim; and one or more outer drive gears disposed adjacent to the engagement surface of the rim; each of the one or more outer drive gears including a plurality of teeth for engaging the engagement surface of the rim; wherein the one or more outer drive gears are configured to rotate the rim such that the plurality of rotor blades rotates about the hub. Other aspects provide an aircraft rotor system and methods of operating an aircraft rotor system.