APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING A HELICOPTER MAIN ROTOR BLADE

摘要

Apparatus and methods for fabricating a helicopter main rotor blade (100) include a compaction fixture (10) for assembling and compacting blade subassembly components and a sheath spreading/insertion apparatus (50) for spreading and inserting a leading-edge sheath (120) onto the blade subassembly during the compaction process. The compacti on fixture includes a lower assembly (12) having a contoured upper airfoil nest (14) mounted in combination with a support structure and an upper assembly (30) having a pressure bag (32) affixed in sealed combination to a contoured backplate affixed in combinatio n to a structural support truss (36). With the upper and lower assemblies in locked combinatio n, the pressure bag is pressurized to compact the assembled blade subassembly components. Th e sheath spreading/insertion apparatus (50) includes a movable stanchion (52), upper (60U) and lower (60L) elongate carriage members mounted in synchronized movable combination with the stanchion, and a row of suction cups (66) mounted in combination with each carriage member. A vacuum source (68) is pneumatically interconnected to the suction cups (66) to generate suction forces to cause the leading-edge sheath to be spread apart. Movement of the movable stanchion causes the spread-apart leading-edge sheath to be inserted onto the blade subassembly during compaction thereof.