A PITCH ACTUATION SYSTEM RESTRAINT DEVICE FOR A HELICOPTER BLADE FOLDING SYSTEM

摘要

A pitch actuation system restraint (PASR) device (10) that provides protection for the pitch actuation system of a helicopter having a main rotor assembly configured for main rotor blade folding operations. The PASR device (10) includes permanent adapter brackets (12) that are permanently mounted in combination with the rotor hub arms (108) and temporary adapter bracket (14) and quick release pins (16) for each main rotor blade to be folded. Prior to implementing blade folding operations, a temporary adapter bracket (14) is secured in combination with the pitch control horn (126) of each main rotor blade and the permanent adapter bracket (12) of the adjacent rotor hub arm (108) by means of the quick release pins (16). Each temporary adapter bracket (14) and permanent adapter bracket (12) functions as a rigid structural interconnection that effectively locks the pitch control horn (126) in position during blade folding operations such that displacements induced in the main rotor blade during blade folding operations cannot be coupled into the pitch actuation system.