Abstract: A rotor head is provided and includes a non-rotating frame, a rotating frame rotatable relative to the non-rotating frame and configured to impart motion to the rotating frame, a rotor hub assembly rotatable about a rotation axis and including a hub and blades extending outwardly from the hub and being pivotable about respective pitch axes thereof and rocker assemblies respectively associated with corresponding ones of the blades. Each rocker assembly is interconnected between the rotating frame and the corresponding one of the blades and configured to convert the motion imparted to the rotating frame into a pitching of one of the blades about the respective pitch axes and amplify the motion such that an angle of the pitching exceeds an angle that would be achieved if the corresponding one of the blades were connected directly to the rotating frame.

Abstract: A process is provided for making membrane-based sorbents with enhanced binding activity that are particularly useful for heavy metal sequestration. The process includes the step of selectively hydrolyzing a polyacetylated membrane in order to deacetylated a surface layer of said membrane including the pore surfaces and expose free hydroxyl groups. This is followed by the oxidizing of the hydroxyl groups to aldehyde groups. This is then followed by the attaching of a polycarboxylic acid such as a polyamino acid, polyalkenoic acid or polypeptide to the membrane through the aldehyde groups. Preferably, the hydrolyzing step is completed under alkaline conditions and the oxidizing step is completed using an aqueous solution of sodium periodate.

Abstract: A process is provided for making membrane-based sorbents with enhanced binding activity that are particularly useful for heavy metal sequestration. The process includes the step of selectively hydrolyzing a polyacetylated membrane in order to deacetylate a surface layer of said membrane and expose free hydroxyl groups. This is followed by the oxidizing of the hydroxyl groups to aldehyde groups. This is then followed by the attaching of a polycarboxylic acid such as a polyamino acid, polyalkenoic acid or polypeptide to the membrane through the aldehyde groups. Preferably, the hydrolyzing step is completed under alkaline conditions and the oxidizing step is completed using an aqueous solution of sodium periodate.

Abstract: A composite torque tube for a bearingless main rotor (BMR) assembly that is optimally fabricated to meet torsional stiffness, fatigue strength, and buckling strength design constraints at minimal unit weight. The composite torque tube includes a strengthened inboard section for mechanically coupling the torque tube in combination with the hub structure of the BMR assembly, a strengthened outboard section for mechanically coupling the torque tube in combination with a corresponding main rotor blade, and an intermediate section that is operative to accommodate the pitch, flapwise, and/or edgewise loads acting on the BMR assembly during operation thereof. The intermediate section of the torque tube has a constant wall thickness and is formed from continuous filament windings having a predetermined fiber orientation within a broad range of about +/-18.degree. to about +/-40.degree. and/or a narrow range of about +/-26.degree. to about +/-35.degree..