Abstract: A spherical bearing which extends from and connects to a deformable component includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member is pivotable relative to the outer member about an axis. The inner member has an opening formed therein that defines a plurality of coplanar contact surfaces shaped to accommodate and contact the component. The plurality of contact surfaces are movable to accommodate deformation of the component positioned within the opening.

Abstract: A scissor link includes a first component defining a first bore and including first outer pads defining first and second holes and a first recession defining a first threaded hole, a second component defining a second bore and including second outer pads defining third and fourth holes and a second recession defining a second threaded hole, a shim disposable between the first and second outer pads of the first and second components, a stud to engage with each of the first and second threaded holes to tighten the first and second components about the shim and flanking bolts insertible through respective pairs of the first through fourth holes of the first and second components.

Abstract: A box frame hub arm structure is provided and includes a body having an outboard surface, which is disposable to abut with an inboard surface of an outboard arm of an aircraft rotor head, and lead/lag sides. The body is formed to define a first cavity, an aperture communicative with the first cavity through the outboard surface and second and third cavities. The second and third cavities extend outwardly in opposite lead/lag directions from the first cavity to the lead/lag sides.

Abstract: A swashplate of a blade pitch control assembly is provided including a metal component having one or more interfacing features. The metal component includes a hollow first cylinder having a first flange extending outwardly from a first end thereof and a second flange extending outwardly from a second end thereof. A sidewall extends between the first and second flanges such that a cavity is defined between the first flange, the second flange, and the sidewall. A plurality of connecting members is connected to a portion of the first flange and the second flange and is spaced about a periphery of the first cylinder. A tubular composite component is arranged at least partially within the cavity between adjacent pairs of the connecting members.

Abstract: A blade retention system includes a rotor hub including a plurality of radial arms, and a blade retention yoke associated with the rotor hub and one of the plurality of radial arms. The blade retention yoke is rotatable relative to the rotor hub and the radial arm. A tension torsion device connects the radial arm to the blade retention yoke to restrict radial movement of the blade retention yoke relative to the radial arm.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided and includes an airframe, a blade disk, which is rotatable relative to the airframe, including a plurality of rotor blades, a rotor shaft disposed to drive rotation of the blade disk relative to the airframe and a pitching of each of the rotor blades about corresponding pitch axes and a rotor assembly configured to form couplings by which each of the rotor blades is coupled to the rotor shaft. The rotor assembly includes a composite laminate arranged to resolve loading associated with the couplings in-plane of the composite laminate.

Abstract: A spherical bearing which extends from and connects to a deformable component includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member is pivotable relative to the outer member about an axis. The inner member has an opening formed therein that defines a plurality of coplanar contact surfaces shaped to accommodate and contact the component. The plurality of contact surfaces are movable to accommodate deformation of the component positioned within the opening.

Abstract: A bearing sleeve assembly includes a rigid inner element having a cylindrical inner diameter bore and an outer surface that is non-cylindrical. Also included is a rigid outer element spaced radially outwardly from the rigid inner element, the rigid outer element comprising a cylindrical member with a uniform cross-section that forms a ring with an inner-diameter surface and an outer-diameter surface, the outer element's inner-diameter surface and the non-cylindrical outer surface of the inner element defining a non-uniform annulus therebetween. Further included is an elastomeric core disposed between the rigid inner element and the rigid outer element within the non-uniform annulus, the elastomeric core having a first thickness at a first location and a second thickness at a second location, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A linkage assembly configured for use on a rotor blade having a first section and a second section, the second section being configured to rotate about a blade fold axis between an aligned position and a rotated position relative to the first section is provided. The linkage assembly includes a bracket having a first portion rotatably coupled to the first section about the blade fold axis and a second portion mounted to the second section. A spacer assembly is positioned between the bracket and an adjacent wall of the second section. The overall thickness of the spacer assembly is adjustable to control a distance between the second section and the bracket to adjust the rotated position.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for connecting a first surface to a second surface and for holding a first servo which moves an adjacent first component is provided including a leg. A first end of the leg is attachable to the first surface and a second end of the leg is attachable to the second surface. The leg is generally bent such that the first end of each leg is arranged at an angle to the second end of each leg so as to transmit forces between the first and second surface. A bracket connected to the leg includes a notch configured to receive the first servo. When the first servo is positioned within the first notch, a free end of the first servo is operably coupled to the adjacent first component and the leg reacts forces generated by the first servo into the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A scissor link is provided and includes a first component defining a first bore and including first outer pads defining first and second holes and a first recession defining a first threaded hole, a second component defining a second bore and including second outer pads defining third and fourth holes and a second recession defining a second threaded hole, a shim disposable between the first and second outer pads of the first and second components, a stud to engage with each of the first and second threaded holes to tighten the first and second components about the shim and flanking bolts insertible through respective pairs of the first through fourth holes of the first and second components.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided and includes an airframe, a main rotor assembly operably disposed at an upper portion of the airframe to provide lift, a propulsor assembly operably disposed at a tail portion of the airframe to provide thrust and a control system. The control system includes a mono-cyclic swashplate assembly that is translatable in a translation direction to execute collective control of the propulsor assembly and rotatable about an axis defined transversely with respect to the translation direction to execute cyclic control of the propulsor assembly.

Abstract: A box frame hub arm structure is provided and includes a body having an outboard surface, which is disposable to abut with an inboard surface of an outboard arm of an aircraft rotor head, and lead/lag sides. The body is formed to define a first cavity, an aperture communicative with the first cavity through the outboard surface and second and third cavities. The second and third cavities extend outwardly in opposite lead/lag directions from the first cavity to the lead/lag sides.

Abstract: A bearing sleeve assembly includes a rigid inner element having a cylindrical inner diameter bore and an outer surface that is non-cylindrical. Also included is a rigid outer element spaced radially outwardly from the rigid inner element, the rigid outer element comprising a cylindrical member with a uniform cross-section that forms a ring with an inner-diameter surface and an outer-diameter surface, the outer element's inner-diameter surface and the non-cylindrical outer surface of the inner element defining a non-uniform annulus therebetween. Further included is an elastomeric core disposed between the rigid inner element and the rigid outer element within the non-uniform annulus, the elastomeric core having a first thickness at a first location and a second thickness at a second location, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A swashplate of a blade pitch control assembly is provided including a metal component having one or more interfacing features. The metal component includes a hollow first cylinder having a first flange extending outwardly from a first end thereof and a second flange extending outwardly from a second end thereof. A sidewall extends between the first and second flanges such that a cavity is defined between the first flange, the second flange, and the sidewall. A plurality of connecting members is connected to a portion of the first flange and the second flange and is spaced about a periphery of the first cylinder. A tubular composite component is arranged at least partially within the cavity between adjacent pairs of the connecting members.

Abstract: A linkage assembly configured for use on a rotor blade having a first section and a second section, the second section being configured to rotate about a blade fold axis between an aligned position and a rotated position relative to the first section is provided. The linkage assembly includes a bracket having a first portion rotatably coupled to the first section about the blade fold axis and a second portion mounted to the second section. A spacer assembly is positioned between the bracket and an adjacent wall of the second section. The overall thickness of the spacer assembly is adjustable to control a distance between the second section and the bracket to adjust the rotated position.

Abstract: A swashplate apparatus is provided and includes a first swashplate including outer and inner bodies and an intermediate portion defining a major groove between the outer and inner bodies, a second swashplate disposable in the major groove to be rotatable relative to the first swashplate, the second swashplate including an interior facing surface radially separated from the inner body to define a minor groove and defining a recess in which the rod end is disposable, a connector disposable in the recess to pivotably couple the rod end to the second swashplate and a plate element disposable in the minor groove and affixable to the interior facing surface of the second swashplate and the connector.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided and includes an airframe, a blade disk, which is rotatable relative to the airframe, including a plurality of rotor blades, a rotor shaft disposed to drive rotation of the blade disk relative to the airframe and a pitching of each of the rotor blades about corresponding pitch axes and a rotor assembly configured to form couplings by which each of the rotor blades is coupled to the rotor shaft. The rotor assembly includes a composite laminate arranged to resolve loading associated with the couplings in-plane of the composite laminate.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for connecting a first surface to a second surface and for holding a first servo which moves an adjacent first component is provided including a leg. A first end of the leg is attachable to the first surface and a second end of the leg is attachable to the second surface. The leg is generally bent such that the first end of each leg is arranged at an angle to the second end of each leg so as to transmit forces between the first and second surface. A bracket connected to the leg includes a notch configured to receive the first servo. When the first servo is positioned within the first notch, a free end of the first servo is operably coupled to the adjacent first component and the leg reacts forces generated by the first servo into the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A swashplate apparatus is provided and includes a first swashplate including outer and inner bodies and an intermediate portion defining a major groove between the outer and inner bodies, a second swashplate disposable in the major groove to be rotatable relative to the first swashplate, the second swashplate including an interior facing surface radially separated from the inner body to define a minor groove and defining a recess in which the rod end is disposable, a connector disposable in the recess to pivotably couple the rod end to the second swashplate and a plate element disposable in the minor groove and affixable to the interior facing surface of the second swashplate and the connector.