Abstract: A teeter flap lock for an aircraft may include at least one pair of diametrically positioned teeter flap lock plates extending from a rotor teetering hinge, spaced apart from a rotor mast of the aircraft. A teeter flap lock block is positioned about the rotor mast and is configured to fit between the teeter flap lock plates and the rotor mast. The teeter flap lock block fits between and contacts the teeter flap lock plates in an engaged position, and is movable between the engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the teeter flap lock plates. The teeter flap lock enables flapping of rotors coupled to the rotor mast via the teetering hinge when the teeter flap lock block is in the disengaged position and disables flapping of the rotors when the teeter flap lock block is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A gimbal joint may employ a plurality of wear sleeves, each disposed between a pin or pin receptive bore of a first structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a second structure and between another pin or bore of the second structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a third structure. Each of these structures may be adapted to rotate in a single plane, with one structure adapted to also tilt about a first axis, and one other structure adapted to tilt about a second axis. Each integral flanged wear sleeve may comprise a right circular hollow cylindrical body portion, which may be interiorly sized to be retained on one of the pins and externally sized to be retained in one of the pin receptive bores, and a flange portion may radiate from one end of the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: In an implementation, a rotor blade (alternatively referred to herein as “blade”) for a helicopter or other aircraft may include an outer layer. The outer layer may define a cavity. The outer layer may at least partially correspond to an airfoil, e.g., a wing. One or more inserts may be included within the cavity and be encompassed thereby. The first insert may have a density of at least 0.6 pounds per cubic inch.

Abstract: One embodiment is a rotorcraft comprising a fuselage; an empennage at an aft end of the fuselage; a tail rotor connected to the empennage; and a tail rotor guard (TRG) around the tail rotor, the TRG shrouding to the tail rotor; and a light emitting diode (LED) lighting element integrated into at least one surface of the TRG.

Abstract: According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a method for formation flight is disclosed. The method includes: during flight, arranging for a first aircraft to fly into a proximity range of a second aircraft; and determining first aircraft positioning based on power consumption data of the first aircraft, where the first aircraft positioning corresponds to power-reducing formation flight of the first aircraft.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a pourable foam comprising a first resin component comprising a polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, a second resin component comprising a polyol, and a barium sulfate powder component. The barium sulfate powder component is combined with the second resin component prior to combining the first and second resin components. The barium sulfate component may comprise between 1% and 50% of the pourable foam. The pourable foam may be used to repair or create aircraft components.

Abstract: A vibration control system for a rotor hub provides vibration attenuation in an aircraft by reducing the magnitude of rotor induced vibratory. The system can include a force generating device attached to a rotor hub which rotates along with the rotor at the rotational speed of the rotor. Vibratory shear force is generated by rotating unbalanced weights each about an axis non-concentric with the rotor hub axis at high speed to create large centrifugal forces. The rotational speed of the weights can be a multiple of the rotor rotational speed to create shear forces for canceling rotor induced vibrations. The amplitude of the generated shear force is controlled by indexing the positions of the unbalanced weights relative to each other, while the phase of the shear force is adjusted by equally phasing each weight relative to the rotor.

Abstract: A fluid pump system for an aircraft has a rotatable component having first and second fluid ports, each port in fluid communication with a selected interior portion of the component, the portions being spaced from each other. A valve controls allows a first flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a second flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a first angular orientation. The valve allows a third flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a fourth flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a second angular orientation.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a frame, a transmission, and a liquid inertia vibration elimination (“LIVE”) system coupled between the frame and the transmission. The LIVE system is configured to attenuate communication of vibrations from the transmission to the frame. The LIVE system includes a first liquid zone, a second liquid zone, a plug at least partially segregating the first liquid zone from the second liquid zone, and the plug has an aperture in fluid communication with the first liquid zone and the second liquid zone. A splash guard is disposed within the second liquid zone and offset from the plug.

Abstract: A rotor system for an aircraft includes an open rotor assembly comprising a plurality of rotor blades connected to a rotor mast via a yoke, wherein the rotor assembly is tiltable between a first position corresponding to an airplane mode and a second position corresponding to a helicopter mode; and a drive system for providing rotational energy to the open rotor assembly via the rotor mast, the drive system comprising at least one electric motor for providing rotational energy to a drive shaft and a gearbox connected to the drive shaft for receiving rotational energy from the at least one electric motor via the drive shaft and providing rotational energy to the rotor mast via a rotor shaft; wherein the drive system is rotatable relative to the wing about a tilt axis and the rotor shaft is coaxial with the drive shaft.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an aircraft includes a drive system, a main engine coupled to the drive system to provide first power, and a supplemental engine coupled to the drive system to provide second power additive to the first power. The aircraft also includes a control system to control the main engine and the supplemental engine to optimize usage of the supplemental engine. The control system is operable to maintain the supplemental engine in a reduced power state at least until a determination is made that supplemental power is needed to satisfy a total power demand of the drive system. The control system is also operable to determine that supplemental power is needed to satisfy the total power demand of the drive system. The control system is further operable to increase a power level of the supplemental engine in response to the determination that supplemental power is needed.

Abstract: A modular airfoil-shaped battery disposed in a wing of an aircraft is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a system configured to have batteries or battery modules stored and accessible through access openings in the forward wing spar. The access openings in the forward spar can provide access for battery insertion and removal, as well as electrical and thermal management connections. Such forward spar access openings can be a relatively small, as the access opening need to only be as large as the battery cross section. A battery can comprise one or more battery modules based on the application requirements. The aircraft battery can be distributed among more, smaller battery modules. The battery modules can be placed in different locations in the wing. For example, the battery modules can be placed proximate an aircraft fuselage to achieve a better center of gravity.

Abstract: A fluid pump system for an aircraft has a rotatable component having first and second fluid ports, each port in fluid communication with a selected interior portion of the component, the portions being spaced from each other. A valve controls allows a first flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a second flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a first angular orientation. The valve allows a third flow rate through the first fluid port and allows a fourth flow rate through the second fluid port when the component is in a second angular orientation.

Abstract: A compact battery module incorporating a dual-sided printed circuit board (PCB) bus is presented. The present disclosure provides for an increase in battery cells per given volume by utilizing both sides of a PCB bus. In one embodiment, a PCB bus can be configured to receive battery cell terminals on both sides of the PCB via one or more connectors, thereby providing for a more compact battery module that is simpler and eliminates interconnections. By having a single PCB disposed between battery cells having both the positive negative terminals on one side, a more compact design can be realized with fewer printed circuit boards and lower weight.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a fuel cell protection system comprising an aircraft fuselage having an inner surface and an outer surface, an attachment point mounted on the outer surface, an aircraft fuel cell spaced apart from the inner surface, and a plate positioned between the inner surface and the aircraft fuel system, the plate spaced apart from the inner surface to create a void space. The attachment point may be a cargo hook. The void space is configured to receive all or a portion of the cargo hook after a crash. The plate creating the void space may be a rigid material or may be a ballistic fabric material.

Abstract: An exemplary tiltrotor aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) flight mode and a forward flight mode includes tiltable rotors located at forward boom ends, tiltable ducted fans located at wings aft of the forward boom ends, and aft rotors located on aft boom portions.

Abstract: A rotorcraft has a drive system including a main rotor coupled to a main rotor gearbox to rotate the main rotor at a rotor speed, a main engine coupled to the drive system to provide a first power, a supplemental engine coupled, when a first clutch is engaged, to the drive system to provide a second power additive to the first power, and a control system operable to control the main engine and the supplemental engine to provide a total power demand, where the main engine is controlled based on variations in rotor speed and a power compensation command to produce the first power, and the supplemental engine is controlled to produce the second power in response to a supplemental power demand.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising an airframe having an engine compartment, an engine disposed within the engine compartment, at least one fire bottle configured to hold a fire extinguishing agent, at least one agent tube coupled to the fire bottle and configured to carry the fire extinguishing agent to the engine compartment, and a nozzle on the at least one agent tube, the nozzle positioned above the engine and oriented in a downward-facing direction. The nozzle has at least one opening and is configured to allow liquid to drain out of the at least one opening instead of allowing the liquid to flow into the at least one agent tube. The nozzle may have a chamfer opening that faces downward.