VARIABLE DIAMETER ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM

摘要

A drive system for varying the diameter of a variable diameter rotor has a gear assembly associated with a single coaxial shaft (13) lower end which includes a gear set for increasing the speed of rotation of the central shaft (13) relative to the rotor drive shaft (2) to change the diameter of the variable diameter blades. A pair of brakes are used, one (37) to slow the coaxial shaft relative to the drive shaft and another (25) to lock the rotor shaft (2) and coaxial shaft (13) together for corotation during constant diameter flight conditions. Utilizing a lower gear assembly reduces hub complexity and allows the variable diameter rotor drive system to be adapted to gimballed rotors which require shaft flexibility. Since only a single shaft extends through the rotor drive shaft, hub complexity is reduced.