Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A rotor apparatus comprising: a blade having a root portion and an airfoil portion; means for supporting said blade including a groove curved in a generally circular concave profile to receive the blade root, the blade root conforming partially to the same profile, such that the blade is permitted to rotate laterally within the groove; an inner flow path shroud extending generally laterally of the blade airfoil portion and laterally rotatable therewith; and an outer flow path shroud nonrotatable with respect to said supporting means and in general alignment with the inner flow path shroud when the blade is in an unrotated position; wherein said inner and outer shrouds are provided with a pair of complementary adjacent surfaces contoured to pass in relatively close-fitting relationship to each other when said blade is rotated laterally.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A rotor apparatus comprising: a blade having a root portion and an airfoil portion; means for supporting said blade including a groove curved in a generally circular concave profile to receive the blade root, the blade root conforming partially to the same profile, such that the blade is permitted to rotate laterally within the groove; an inner flow path shroud extending generally laterally of the blade airfoil portion and laterally rotatable therewith; and an outer flow path shroud nonrotatable with respect to said supporting means and in general alignment with the inner flow path shroud when the blade is in an unrotated position; wherein said inner and outer shrouds are provided with a pair of complementary adjacent surfaces contoured to pass in relatively close-fitting relationship to each other when said blade is rotated laterally.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotor apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said blade supporting means comprises a spindle for a variable pitch rotor apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rotor apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the blade primarily comprises a laminate of composite filament plies and the inner flow path shroud is bonded to the blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The rotor apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the blade primarily comprises a laminate of composite filament plies and the root portion includes an outsert partially surrounding the plies and contoured to conform generally to the profile of the groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rotor apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the inner shroud is formed integral with the outsert.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rotor apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein the inner shroud is bonded to the blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rotor apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said outer shroud comprises a pair of complementary shroud halves of generally circular periphery and contoured to circumscribe the inner shroud.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rotor apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said inner shroud is of generally rectangular profile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The rotor assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said outer shroud is formed integral with the spindle hub.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotor assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising sealing means for inhibiting fluid flow between said inner and outer shrouds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rotor assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said sealing means comprises a flexible seal bonded to the inner shroud, and underlying the outer shroud in rubbing contact therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The rotor assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said sealing means comprises a lateral extension of the inner platform forming an obtuse angle therewith, the extension underlying the outer shroud when the blade is in an unrotated position and contoured to pass in close-fitting relationship without contacting the outer shroud when the blade is rotated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The rotor assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the blade airfoil is segmented into a first portion which is laterally rotatable with the blade root and a second portion which is rigidly mounted upon the outer shroud, the first and second portions contoured to pass in relatively close-fitting relationship to each other when said blade is rotated laterally.