Abstract: An elastomeric bearing includes a first race having an axis of rotation, a second race coaxially arranged relative to the first race and spaced from the first race by a gap and a bearing body in the gap connecting the first race to the second race. The bearing body is formed from a first plurality of elastomeric laminae coaxial with the first race and a second plurality of carbon fiber laminae coaxial with the first race, and the elastomeric laminae and the carbon fiber laminae alternate in a direction from the first race to the second race. The carbon fiber laminae may each include multiple sheets of carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Abstract: A laminated elastomeric journal bearing has an outer sleeve having an inner surface, at least a portion of each end of the inner surface being a concave surface of revolution, and an inner sleeve having an outer surface, at least a portion of each end of the outer surface being a convex surface of revolution. Alternating layers of elastomer and metal are located between the sleeves, with adjacent surfaces of the layers and the sleeves being adhered to each other.

Abstract: A laminated elastomeric journal bearing has an outer sleeve having an inner surface, at least a portion of each end of the inner surface being a concave surface of revolution, and an inner sleeve having an outer surface, at least a portion of each end of the outer surface being a convex surface of revolution. Alternating layers of elastomer and metal are located between the sleeves, with adjacent surfaces of the layers and the sleeves being adhered to each other.

Abstract: An elastomeric bearing includes a first race having an axis of rotation, a second race coaxially arranged relative to the first race and spaced from the first race by a gap, a bearing body in the gap connecting the first race to the second race, the bearing body comprising a plurality of first laminae coaxial with the first race and a plurality of second laminae coaxial with the first race, the first laminae being formed from a different material than the second laminae, and a metal end cap connected to the first race or to the second race. The metal end cap includes an at least partially hollow interior and/or is formed by an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: An elastomeric bearing includes a first race having an axis of rotation, a second race coaxially arranged relative to the first race and spaced from the first race by a gap and a bearing body in the gap connecting the first race to the second race. The bearing body is formed from a first plurality of elastomeric laminae coaxial with the first race and a second plurality of carbon fiber laminae coaxial with the first race, and the elastomeric laminae and the carbon fiber laminae alternate in a direction from the first race to the second race. The carbon fiber laminae may each include multiple sheets of carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Abstract: An elastomeric bearing includes a first race having an axis of rotation, a second race coaxially arranged relative to the first race and spaced from the first race by a gap, a bearing body in the gap connecting the first race to the second race, the bearing body comprising a plurality of first laminae coaxial with the first race and a plurality of second laminae coaxial with the first race, the first laminae being formed from a different material than the second laminae, and a metal end cap connected to the first race or to the second race. The metal end cap includes an at least partially hollow interior and/or is formed by an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing including a socket, wherein the socket comprises a cross-sectional area, and a bearing cartridge disposed within the socket, wherein a cross-sectional area of the cartridge is less than the cross-sectional area of the socket. An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing having a socket, and a bearing cartridge positioned within the socket and comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to undergo compression when a load is applied to the drivelink, and wherein the second portion is configured to not be in tension when the load is applied to the drivelink.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing including a socket, wherein the socket comprises a cross-sectional area, and a bearing cartridge disposed within the socket, wherein a cross-sectional area of the cartridge is less than the cross-sectional area of the socket. An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing having a socket, and a bearing cartridge positioned within the socket and comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to undergo compression when a load is applied to the drivelink, and wherein the second portion is configured to not be in tension when the load is applied to the drivelink.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a bearing, a shim disposed within the bearing, and a component disposed within the shim. The shim comprises a first material, the component comprises a second material, and the first material has an elastic modulus value that is lower than an elastic modulus value of the second material. An apparatus comprises an elastomeric bearing, a fiberglass shim, and a steel spindle that is connected to the elastomeric bearing through the shim. A method for reducing strain in an adhesive layer that connects a bearing to a component comprises selecting a shim material having an elastic modulus value that is less than an elastic modulus value of the component and providing instructions to connect the component to the shim by placing the adhesive layer between an outer surface of the component and an inner surface of the shim.

Abstract: The bearing assembly includes one or more elastomeric members loaded in a precompression by a shim that includes a shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy is configured to generate the precompression in the elastomeric members upon a temperature change.

Abstract: A damper for a rotor hub for a rotorcraft can include a housing, a piston resiliently coupled to the housing with a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member, a plurality of conical members, a fluid, and an orifice.

Abstract: A tube form assembly includes an inner member and an outer member. Each of the inner and outer members has an offset which creates a cavity therebetween. During assembly of the tube form assembly, an adhesive is located in the cavity and squeezed out and through the adjacent bond lines between the inner member and outer member. The pressurization and flow of adhesive outward from the cavity facilitates removal of air bubbles, as well as prevents the introduction of air bubbles into the bond line.

Abstract: An aircraft component has an exterior surface and a protective nanocoating carried by the exterior surface. An aircraft has an engine, a fuselage, and a component having an exterior surface and a protective nano coating carried by the exterior surface. A method of protecting an aircraft component includes selecting at least one harmful environmental component and applying a protective nanocoating to the aircraft component, wherein the protective nanocoating is configured to protect the aircraft component from the selected harmful environmental component.

Abstract: The centrifugal force bearing includes a plurality of tapered metal shims such that the thicker end of each tapered metal shim near the inner portion of bearing. The bearing can include a plurality of tapered elastomeric members that are consequently tapered so that the inner portions are narrower than the outer portions. The tapered metal shims can increase the axial stiffness in the direction of the centrifugal force, thereby reducing the axial deflection under loading, as compared to non-tapered shims. Further, reducing axial deflection reduces clearance issues that may arise when the rotor blade is allowed to axial deflect significant distances. As such, the tapered metal shims can increase the capacity of the bearing. Tapering the metal shims can decrease the compression induced shear strain near the outer portions of the elastomeric member, where loads are typically higher.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotorcraft includes a body, a rotor system with a blade, and a component. The rotor system is coupled to the body of the rotorcraft. The component includes a metal portion, a temperature-sensitive portion adjoined to the metal portion, and a light-cured epoxy layer on the surface of the metal portion.

Abstract: A rotary system including a yoke having an opening forming a bridge for receiving a spoke extending therethrough. A rotor blade couples to the spoke and a pitch horn positioned outside the opening pitches the rotor blade during flight. A bearing assembly attaches the spoke and the pitch horn to the bridge and control blade forces exerted against the hub assembly during flight.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method comprises calendering an elastomeric material into an elastomeric layer having a thickness that is more uniform than the elastomeric material prior to the calendaring. After calendaring, the elastomeric layer is vulcanized to a composite shim comprising at least one reinforcement layer and at least one layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A damper for a rotor hub for a rotorcraft can include a housing, a piston resiliently coupled to the housing with a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member, a plurality of conical members, a fluid, and an orifice.

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: An aircraft component has an exterior surface and a protective nanocoating carried by the exterior surface. An aircraft has an engine, a fuselage, and a component having an exterior surface and a protective nano coating carried by the exterior surface. A method of protecting an aircraft component includes selecting at least one harmful environmental component and applying a protective nanocoating to the aircraft component, wherein the protective nanocoating is configured to protect the aircraft component from the selected harmful environmental component.