Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics formed with fiber blends that provide the requisite flame and thermal protection but that have improved durability. In some embodiments this is accomplished with the use of fiber blends that include relatively large percentages of FR nylon fibers in combination with cellulosic and inherently flame resistant fibers.

Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics formed with fiber blends that provide the requisite flame and thermal protection but that have improved durability. In some embodiments this is accomplished with the use of fiber blends that include relatively large percentages of FR nylon fibers in combination with cellulosic and inherently flame resistant fibers.

Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics that comply with applicable thermal requirements (e.g., char length, after flame, thermal shrinkage, etc.) but only include thermally stable fibers in yarns extending in a single fabric direction (warp or weft). The yarns extending in the other direction (warp or weft) are devoid of thermally stable fibers.

Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics formed with fiber blends that provide the requisite flame and thermal protection but that have improved durability. In some embodiments this is accomplished with the use of fiber blends that include relatively large percentages of FR nylon fibers in combination with cellulosic and inherently flame resistant fibers.

Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics formed with a combination of body yarns and stretch yarns that exhibit excellent physical and thermal properties. The body yarns are formed at least in part with flame resistant materials. The stretch yarns are corespun yarns having an elastic core surrounded by a fiber sheath formed at least in part with flame resistant materials. The fiber sheath protects the elastic core from direct exposure to heat and flame that would otherwise cause the core to degrade or melt.

Abstract: A method of constructing a cured composite assembly includes positioning a composite assembly within a bonding tool, wherein the composite assembly comprises an uncured composite spar and a skin and performing a curing cycle on the composite assembly to simultaneously cure the uncured composite spar and bond the skin to the cured composite spar.

Abstract: The present invention includes a rotor-blade span-balancing system, including a span-balance pocket in a surface of a rotor blade; a cover operably configured to cover the span-balance pocket, wherein the cover is operably configured to be substantially flush with the surface of the rotor blade surface when covering the span-balance pocket, and wherein the cover includes a cover boss for reacting centrifugal force of the cover into the rotor blade; and one or more span-balance weights attached to the cover to span-balance the rotor blade.

Abstract: The present invention includes a span-balance pocket in a surface of a rotor blade, the span-balance pocket including an inboard surface and an outboard surface; and one or more weights disposed in the span-balance pocket to span-balance the rotor blade; and at least one of one or more retention devices to retain the one or more weights against the outboard surface of the span-balance pocket or the span-balance pocket is machined or molded into a tip block of the rotor blade.

Abstract: A fabric includes base yarns and antistatic spun yarns located in discrete portions of the fabric such that the fabric dissipates static electricity by way of an inductive field and complies with one or more standards for static dissipation in fabric. The antistatic spun yarns may include inductive antistatic staple fibers, and may include less than 20% antistatic fiber. The fabric may be a woven fabric with the antistatic spun yarns inserted into the fabric in both the warp and filling directions in a ratio of antistatic spun yarns to base yarns of from 1:1 to 1:40. The fabrics may be flame resistant and comply with one or more standards for flame resistant fabrics and/or may comply with one or more standards for high visibility apparel. The fabric may have a total antistatic fiber content of less than about 1%.

Abstract: A fabric includes base yarns and antistatic spun yarns located in discrete portions of the fabric such that the fabric dissipates static electricity by way of an inductive field and complies with one or more standards for static dissipation in fabric. The antistatic spun yarns may include inductive antistatic staple fibers, and may include less than 20% antistatic fiber. The fabric may be a woven fabric with the antistatic spun yarns inserted into the fabric in both the warp and filling directions in a ratio of antistatic spun yarns to base yarns of from 1:1 to 1:40. The fabrics may be flame resistant and comply with one or more standards for flame resistant fabrics and/or may comply with one or more standards for high visibility apparel. The fabric may have a total antistatic fiber content of less than about 1%.

Abstract: The present invention includes a rotor-blade span-balancing system, including a span-balance pocket in a surface of a rotor blade; a cover operably configured to cover the span-balance pocket, wherein the cover is operably configured to be substantially flush with the surface of the rotor blade surface when covering the span-balance pocket, and wherein the cover includes a cover boss for reacting centrifugal force of the cover into the rotor blade; and one or more span-balance weights attached to the cover to span-balance the rotor blade.

Abstract: The present invention includes a span-balance pocket in a surface of a rotor blade, the span-balance pocket including an inboard surface and an outboard surface; and one or more weights disposed in the span-balance pocket to span-balance the rotor blade; and at least one of one or more retention devices to retain the one or more weights against the outboard surface of the span-balance pocket or the span-balance pocket is machined or molded into a tip block of the rotor blade.

Abstract: A method of constructing a cured composite assembly includes positioning a composite assembly within a bonding tool, wherein the composite assembly comprises an uncured composite spar and a skin and performing a curing cycle on the composite assembly to simultaneously cure the uncured composite spar and bond the skin to the cured composite spar.

Abstract: A method of constructing a cured composite assembly includes positioning a composite assembly within a bonding tool, wherein the composite assembly comprises an uncured composite spar and a skin and performing a curing cycle on the composite assembly to simultaneously cure the uncured composite spar and bond the skin to the cured composite spar.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect including an electrically conductive male interlock having a substantially flat base portion and a longitudinally extending locking member, and an electrically conductive female interlock having a first retention groove in a support member, the first retention groove for receiving and retaining the locking member on the support member. At least a portion of the locking member is disposed on a surface of the female interlock and slidably received in the first retention groove to form a first locked position so as to enable electrical conduction.

Abstract: A method of constructing a cured composite assembly includes positioning a composite assembly within a bonding tool, wherein the composite assembly comprises an uncured composite spar and a skin and performing a curing cycle on the composite assembly to simultaneously cure the uncured composite spar and bond the skin to the cured composite spar.

Abstract: A method of constructing a cured composite assembly includes positioning a composite assembly within a bonding tool, wherein the composite assembly comprises an uncured composite spar and a skin and performing a curing cycle on the composite assembly to simultaneously cure the uncured composite spar and bond the skin to the cured composite spar.

Abstract: The electrical harness system is configured for routing a harness between a rotor yoke and a rotor blade. A recess in an inboard cap member is configured to house a connector and an associated harness. As the recess extends along a radial path in the chordwise direction of the rotor blade, the harness is configured to lie within the recess. Operationally induced centrifugal forces promote positioning the slack of harness within the recess, while the slack in the harness remains available for relative dynamic movements between the rotor blade and the rotor yoke. Such a routing of the harness reduces aerodynamic drag and minimizes damage that could otherwise occur to the harness.

Abstract: A fabric includes base yarns and antistatic spun yarns located in discrete portions of the fabric such that the fabric dissipates static electricity by way of an inductive field and complies with one or more standards for static dissipation in fabric. The antistatic spun yarns may include inductive antistatic staple fibers, and may include less than 20% antistatic fiber. The fabric may be a woven fabric with the antistatic spun yarns inserted into the fabric in both the warp and filling directions in a ratio of antistatic spun yarns to base yarns of from 1:1 to 1:40. The fabrics may be flame resistant and comply with one or more standards for flame resistant fabrics and/or may comply with one or more standards for high visibility apparel. The fabric may have a total antistatic fiber content of less than about 1%.

Abstract: The rotor hub can include a rotor blade; a rotor yoke; a grip member having an inboard portion, an upper extension, and a lower extension; and a rotor blade having a root end coupled to the upper extension and the lower extension of the grip member with a first bolt, a second bolt, and a third bolt. The first bolt is located on a spanwise axis of the rotor blade. The second bolt is offset from the spanwise axis by a first chordwise distance and is offset from the first bolt by a first spanwise distance. The third bolt is offset from the spanwise axis by a second chordwise distance and is offset from the first bolt by a second spanwise distance.