Abstract: A spring clutch has an arbor, a spring, and a sleeve. The spring at least partially surrounds the arbor and has a first portion coupled to the arbor to confine relative rotation of the first portion and arbor about an axis. The sleeve at least partially surrounds the spring and cooperates with the spring. The cooperation is sufficient so that an initial relative rotation between the arbor and sleeve in a first direction about the axis tends to uncoil the spring and bias the spring into firmer engagement with the sleeve. The cooperation is sufficient such that relative rotation in an opposite direction tends not to uncoil the spring and maintains the clutch in a disengaged condition.

Abstract: A gear adapted to provide load sharing in a torque split transmission module wherein at least one spring element is disposed in combination with a torque driving shaft at one end thereof and in combination with a ring of torque transmitting gear teeth at the other end thereof. The spring element is radially stiff to center the ring of gear teeth about the shaft and is torsionally soft to permit relative rotational displacement between the gear teeth and the shaft.

Abstract: A spring clutch has an arbor, a spring, and a sleeve. The spring at least partially surrounds the arbor and has a first portion coupled to the arbor to confine relative rotation of the first portion and arbor about an axis. The sleeve at least partially surrounds the spring and cooperates with the spring. The cooperation is sufficient so that an initial relative rotation between the arbor and sleeve in a first direction about the axis tends to uncoil the spring and bias the spring into firmer engagement with the sleeve. The cooperation is sufficient such that relative rotation in an opposite direction tends not to uncoil the spring and maintains the clutch in a disengaged condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible bearing assembly for use in a transmission system. The flexible bearing assembly has a gear mounted to a first shaft, first and second pinions connected to a second shaft, and a flexible coupling element connected to the gear and the first pinion. The flexible coupling element is preferably formed by a flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A drive system for a variable diameter rotor (VDR) system includes a plurality of rotor blade assemblies with inner and outer rotor blade segments. The outer blade segment being telescopically mounted to the inner blade segment. The VDR retraction/extension system includes a drive housing mounted at the root of each blade. The housing supports a spool assembly, a harmonic gear set and an electric motor. The spool assembly includes a pair of counter rotating spools each of which drive a respective cable which extends through the interior of the inboard rotor blade section and around a pulley mounted to the outboard rotor blade section. In operation, the electric motor drives the harmonic gear set which rotates the counter rotating spools. Rotation of the spools causes the cables to be wound onto or off their respective spool consequently effecting retraction/extension of the pulley and the attached outboard rotor blade section relative the inboard rotor blade section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible bearing assembly for use in a transmission system. The flexible bearing assembly has a gear mounted to a first shaft, first and second pinions connected to a second shaft, and a flexible coupling element connected to the gear and the first pinion. The flexible coupling element is preferably formed by a flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A drive system for a variable diameter rotor (VDR) system includes a plurality of rotor blade assemblies with inner and outer rotor blade segments. The outer blade segment being telescopically mounted to the inner blade segment. The VDR retraction/extension system includes a drive housing mounted at the root of each blade. The housing supports a spool assembly, a harmonic gear set and an electric motor. The spool assembly includes a pair of counter rotating spools each of which drive a respective cable which extends through the interior of the inboard rotor blade section and around a pulley mounted to the outboard rotor blade section. In operation, the electric motor drives the harmonic gear set which rotates the counter rotating spools. Rotation of the spools causes the cables to be wound onto or off their respective spool consequently effecting retraction/extension of the pulley and the attached outboard rotor blade section relative the inboard rotor blade section.

Abstract: A drive system for a variable diameter rotor system includes a plurality of rotor blade assemblies with inner and outer blade segments. The outer blade segment being telescopically mounted to the inner blade segment. The VDR retraction/extension system includes a reeling system driven by a harmonic gear system. The reeling system includes a strap drum for winding and unwinding a strap attached to the outer blade segments. In operation, a control shaft drives the wave generator at a higher or lower rotational speed relative to a main rotor drive shaft assembly thereby causing the wave generator to rotate relative to the rotor hub assembly. In turn, the wave generator causes the external flex gear teeth to sequentially engage the ring gear internal gear teeth as the wave generator rotates within the flex gear. As the flex gear is mounted to the strap drum, the differential rotation between the flex gear and ring gear causes the strap drum to rotate relative the rotor hub assembly.