초록 ▼

The present invention comprises an apparatus for locking both rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft at a common point to form a rigid wing having a uniform bilateral aerodynamic response. In one embodiment of the present invention the rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft are locked together to form

The present invention comprises an apparatus for locking both rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft at a common point to form a rigid wing having a uniform bilateral aerodynamic response. In one embodiment of the present invention the rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft are locked together to form a rigid wing assembly. This is accomplished by locking the blades together by a locking mechanism that engages when the rotor speed drops below a certain threshold. With the rotor blades locked together, the wing assembly can then be locked in position with the appropriate pitch angle simply by securing the pitch link of the rotor blade that is oriented at the leading edge of the fixed wing. In another embodiment of the invention the blades are locked directly to the rotor by two locking mechanisms that engage the hub directly. By locking the rotor blades into a rigid assembly having a common control point, it is possible to provide a rotor/wing aircraft having a fixed wing with more predictable and controllable response to aerodynamic forces.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A rotor/wing apparatus comprising:a hub rotatable about an azimuthal axis;a first rotor blade attached to and extending radially outward from said hub, said first rotor blade being pivotable about a first pitch axis extending substantially radially outward from said hub;a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A rotor/wing apparatus comprising:a hub rotatable about an azimuthal axis;a first rotor blade attached to and extending radially outward from said hub, said first rotor blade being pivotable about a first pitch axis extending substantially radially outward from said hub;a second rotor blade attached to and extending radially outward from said hub, said second rotor blade being pivotable about a second pitch axis extending substantially radially outward from said hub, said second rotor blade comprising a lock engaging surface;a locking apparatus carried by said first rotor blade, said locking apparatus comprising a link and a resilient member, said resilient member urging said link into a first position in which said link engages said lock engaging surface to constrain said first rotor blade and said second rotor blade to pivot in unison about said first and second pitch axes, said link being moveable against said resilient member in response to centrifugal force about said azimuthal axis to move from said first position to a second position in which said link disengages said lock engaging surface, thereby permitting said first and second rotor blades to pivot independently about said first and second pitch axes.