Blade lock system for variable diameter rotor systems

摘要

A VDR blade lock system includes a set of blade pins that are rigidly mounted into the outboard blade section and a set of mount pins that are rigidly mounted to a rotor mount assembly. A resilient bushing at least partially surrounds each pin to provide high-energy absorption, impact resistance and low compressive modules. Should the outboard rotor blade section become free, centrifugal force will cause the outboard rotor blade section to rapidly telescope radially outward over the inboard blade section. The lock system prevents full extension of the outboard rotor blade section while the bushings act as a series of springs to reduce the deceleration rate of the outboard rotor blade section to minimize an impact force experienced by the VDR system.