Split torque helicopter main rotor drive including an elastomeric torsional vibration damper.

摘要

The elastomeric torsional isolator comprises one or more elastomer layers (36) disposed between a spur gear (29), having a pair of sloped surfaces, and a pair of rims (30, 31) having corresponding surfaces. The rims (30, 31) are attached to a flange (26) extending from a shaft (21) which has pinions (22, 23) for engaging a driven gear. By preloading the elastomer layers (36), the spur gear (29) is frictionally connected to the flange (26) and shaft (21), rather than mechanically engaged. The preloaded elastomer layers (36) act as an elastomeric torsional isolator which accommodates variations in mechanical tolerances to balance the torque loading in a split torque drive system. Using elastomer layers (36) for balancing the torque loading between a pair of torque splitting gear assemblies reduces the number of bearings required, increasing reliability and reducing part complexity.