Patent US3838940A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3838940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deployable rotor
Assignee: Kaman Aerospace Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-20
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1992-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A deployable stowed rotor having a rotor hub to which a pair of telescoping rotor blades are connected is foldable into a small package suitable for stowage prior to use. When the rotor is deployed, for example, as a lifting device for an ejection seat or space capsule, the hinge arrangement between the blades and the rotor hub induces rotor spin-up while the blades are aligned generally parallel to the rotor axis. The hinge arrangement also aids in controlling the rotor speed until the rotor and connected load are decelerated to a terminal descent rate. A restraining mechanism associated with the hinge arrangement is then released and permits the rotor to assume a different configuration more suited to autorotation during the terminal descent phase of flight.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hollrock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:46
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D19/00; B64D19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A deployable rotor having a plurality of rotor blades mounted on a rotor hub for movement between stowed and flight positions comprising: a plurality of connecting links, one for each of the plurality of blades, connected between the rotor hub and the respective rotor blades, each link forming an inner hinge at one end with the rotor hub and an outer hinge at the other end with a rotor blade, the outer hinge between the link and the blade providing flap-to-pitch coupling; restraining means including a cable interconnecting each of the connecting links to limit the coning angle of the links to an angle no less than a preselected value; and release means including a cable cutter operatively connected with the cable of the restraining means to sever the cable whereby the connecting links are permitted to assume the same coning angle as the blades and the coupling effect of the outer hinges is locked out.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A deployable rotor having a plurality of rotor blades mounted on a rotor hub for movement between stowed and flight positions comprising: a plurality of connecting links, one for each of the plurality of blades, connected between the rotor hub and the respective rotor blades, each link forming an inner hinge at one end with the rotor hub and an outer hinge at the other end with a rotor blade, the outer hinge between the link and the blade providing flap-to-pitch coupling; restraining means including a cable interconnecting each of the connecting links to limit the coning angle of the links to an angle no less than a preselected value; and release means including a cable cutter operatively connected with the cable of the restraining means to sever the cable whereby the connecting links are permitted to assume the same coning angle as the blades and the coupling effect of the outer hinges is locked out.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
192 words
A deployable rotor having a plurality of rotor blades mounted on a rotor hub for movement between stowed and flight positions comprising: a plurality of connecting links, one for each of the plurality of blades, connected between the rotor hub and the resPective rotor blades, each link forming an inner hinge at one end with the rotor hub and an outer hinge at the other end with a rotor blade, the outer hinge between the link and the blade providing flap-to-pitch coupling; restraining means connected with each of the connecting links for limiting the coning angle of the links to an angle no less than a preselected value; a slip ring assembly circumscribing the rotor hub and including rotating electrical contact members mounted on the hub; and release means including an electrically operated explosive member electrically connected to the rotating contact members of the slip ring assembly on the hub and operatively connected with the restraining means to render the restraining means inoperative upon the links whereby the connecting links are permitted to assume the same coning angle as the blades and the coupling effect of the outer hinges is locked out.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
192 words
A deployable rotor having a plurality of rotor blades mounted on a rotor hub for movement between stowed and flight positions comprising: a plurality of connecting links, one for each of the plurality of blades, connected between the rotor hub and the resPective rotor blades, each link forming an inner hinge at one end with the rotor hub and an outer hinge at the other end with a rotor blade, the outer hinge between the link and the blade providing flap-to-pitch coupling; restraining means connected with each of the connecting links for limiting the coning angle of the links to an angle no less than a preselected value; a slip ring assembly circumscribing the rotor hub and including rotating electrical contact members mounted on the hub; and release means including an electrically operated explosive member electrically connected to the rotating contact members of the slip ring assembly on the hub and operatively connected with the restraining means to render the restraining means inoperative upon the links whereby the connecting links are permitted to assume the same coning angle as the blades and the coupling effect of the outer hinges is locked out.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A deployable rotor as defined in claim 2 wherein the restraining means comprises a cable interconnecting each of the connecting links to limit the coning angle of the links.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A deployable rotor as defined in claim 1 further including spreading means connected to the links for urging the links toward a spread position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A deployable rotor as described in claim 4 wherein the spreading means comprises a spring member extending between two of the plurality of links.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A deployable rotor as in claim 1 wherein there are two connecting links associated respectively with two blades at diametrically opposite sides of the rotor hub and the inner hinges of the two links are interlocking hinges and thereby define the teetering axis of the rotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A deployable rotor in claim 6 wherein each of the two connecting links has a dog-leg configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A deployable rotor as defined in claim 6 wherein spreading means are provided between the two links and include a coil spring mounted concentrically of the teetering axis of the interlocking hinges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A deployable rotor as defined in claim 6 wherein the two connecting links are pivotable relative to the rotor hub and to each other into positions in which the rotor blades lie parallel to one another for stowing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |