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 first 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: A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter flight mode and an airplane flight mode. The proprotor system includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms with inboard pockets. A centrifugal force and shear bearing assembly is disposed in each of the inboard pockets of the yoke. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to the yoke by one of the bearing assemblies such that each proprotor blade has a pitch change degree of freedom about a pitch change axis and a tilting degree of freedom about a focal point. Each bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing coupled to the yoke, a shear bearing coupled to the yoke and an inboard beam coupled between the centrifugal force bearing and the shear bearing. Each inboard beam is coupled to a respective proprotor blade.

Abstract: A folding rotor blade assembly for an aircraft a yoke, an inboard beam coupled to the yoke, an inboard centrifugal force bearing coupled to the inboard beam, a grip coupled to the inboard beam, an outboard bearing housing coupled to the grip, and a rotor blade pivotally coupled to the grip by a blade fold bolt that is positioned outboard of the outboard bearing housing.

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 link includes an outer composite portion substantially encircling at least two bearing pockets and a central substantially incompressible portion disposed between the at least two bearing pockets.

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 yoke split into separate, individual yoke arms permit rotor blade fold about inboard yoke arm bolts in a rotor blade assembly for rotorcraft and tiltrotor aircraft. 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.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft comprising a rotor blade pivotally connected to a yoke with dual concentric blade bolts having a common central axis providing a pivotal axis inboard of an outboard CF bearing and the yoke tip. 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 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 yoke comprising a bilateral center yoke pivotally connected to separate foldable 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 yoke with dual concentric blade bolts having a common central axis providing a pivotal axis inboard of an outboard shear bearing. In use, the compact folded arrangement of the rotor blades reduces folded aircraft dimensions in response to ever increasing restricted storage space parameters.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for measuring hysteretic heating or stress of one or more bearings of a craft comprising: one or more non-contact temperature sensors attached to the craft and directed toward the one or more bearings; and a computer connected to the one or more non-contact temperature sensors that measure the temperature, the stress, or both of the one or more bearings before, during, or after operation of the craft, wherein the one or more non-contact temperature sensors measure a change in temperature in the one or more bearings to monitor for heating or stress of the bearings.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for coupling a proprotor blade to a yoke in a proprotor system. The bearing assembly is positionable within an inboard pocket of a blade arm of the yoke. The proprotor system is operable for use on a tiltrotor aircraft having helicopter and airplane flight modes. The bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing and a shear bearing having an inboard beam coupled therebetween. The centrifugal force bearing has a mating surface, a lateral movement constraint feature and at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature. The inboard beam has a mating surface in a contact relationship with the mating surface of the centrifugal force bearing, a lateral movement constraint feature operably associated with the lateral movement constraint feature of the centrifugal force bearing and at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature that corresponds with the at least one radially extending anti-rotation feature of the centrifugal force bearing.

Abstract: A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter flight mode and an airplane flight mode. The proprotor system includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms with inboard pockets. A centrifugal force and shear bearing assembly is disposed in each of the inboard pockets of the yoke. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to the yoke by one of the bearing assemblies such that each proprotor blade has a pitch change degree of freedom about a pitch change axis and a tilting degree of freedom about a focal point. Each bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing coupled to the yoke, a shear bearing coupled to the yoke and an inboard beam coupled between the centrifugal force bearing and the shear bearing. Each inboard beam is coupled to a respective proprotor blade.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the tracking of one or more blades comprising: a blade tracking adjustment mechanism connected to one or more blades of an aircraft; a blade tracking measurement system that measures the tracking of the one or more blades; and a computer that receives an output from the blade tracking measurement system with tracking information for each of the one or more blades; wherein the computer outputs instructions for the blade tracking adjustment mechanism to change a pitch of one or more of the blades to correct blade tracking.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for measuring hysteretic heating or stress of one or more bearings of a craft comprising: one or more non-contact temperature sensors attached to the craft and directed toward the one or more bearings; and a computer connected to the one or more non-contact temperature sensors that measure the temperature, the stress, or both of the one or more bearings before, during, or after operation of the craft, wherein the one or more non-contact temperature sensors measure a change in temperature in the one or more bearings to monitor for heating or stress of the bearings.