Method and apparatus for fiber strap termination

摘要

A variable diameter rotor blade assembly includes a rotor hub with multiple rotor blades each having an outboard blade section telescopically mounted to an inboard blade section. A reeling assembly includes a strap drum that extends and retracts a strap attached to each of the outboard blade sections to selectively change the diameter of the rotor blade assembly. The strap includes a body portion extending toward the drum and a termination portion attached to each of the outboard blade sections. The termination portion is made from a rigid fiber reinforced composite that has a higher rigidity than the body portion. A transition region is formed between the body portion and the termination portion and is made from a flexible matrix-fiber composite that has a higher rigidity than the body portion and a lower rigidity than the rigid fiber reinforced composite. The body portion is formed from layers of spanwise fibers and the termination portion is formed from alternating layers of spanwise fibers and angled fibers resulting in the termination portion having a greater thickness than the body portion. The orientation of the fibers in addition to the rigid fiber composite material increases the overall strength of the termination portion.