Solid lubricated blade pitch control system for use within a compressed airstream of a reaction driven rotorcraft

摘要

A rotor system is disclosed for a reactive drive rotary wing aircraft. Apparatus and methods are disclosed for maintaining the rigidity of the rotor and eliminating play between flight controls and the rotor by mounting swashplate actuators to a flange rigidly secured to the mast. Methods are disclosed for modulating the temperature of oil pumped over one or more of the mast bearing, swashplate bearing, and spindle bearing. The temperature of air passively or actively drawn through rotor may also be modulated to maintain bearing temperature within a predetermined range. Structures for reducing pressure losses and drag on components due to air flow through the rotor are also disclosed. A rotor facilitating thermal management by oil and air flow is also disclosed. Surfaces interfacing between the swashplate and the mast and between control rods and the swashplate or pitch horn may bear a solid lubricant layer.

主权项

1. A rotor system comprising
a mast adapted to mount to an airframe of a rotorcraft; a shroud surrounding the mast, the mast and shroud defining an air channel; a hub mounted to the mast and defining a hub cavity in fluid communication with the air channel; a plurality of blades each defining a blade duct, the plurality of blades being coupled to the hub having the blade ducts thereof in fluid communication with the hub cavity; a plurality of blade actuators; a swashplate engaging the mast; a plurality of actuator rods coupling the plurality of actuators to the swashplate; a plurality of pitch control rods coupling the swashplate to the plurality of blades; and a layer of solid lubricant, fused to at least one surface, the at least one surface located at at least one of an interface between the swashplate and the mast, an interface between the swashplate and the plurality of actuator rods, an interface between the swashplate and the plurality of pitch control rods, and an interface between the plurality of pitch control rods and the plurality of blades; a compressed air source in fluid communication with the air channel; wherein the swashplate is positioned within the air channel and the plurality of pitch control rods extend from the swashplate into the hub cavity such that the swashplate and pitch control rods are exposed to air flow from the compressed air source through the air channel and hub cavity.