Richard R Ferraro

US Patent:

61967963, Mar 6, 2001

Filed:

Apr 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/296737

Inventors:

Steven A. Lozyniak - South Windsor CT
Peter Frederick Lorber - Coventry CT
Fred W. Kohlhepp - Hamden CT
Lee A. Hoffman - Vernon CT
Robert Morton - Stafford Springs CT
Richard B. Ferraro - Northford CT

Assignee:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - Stratford CT

International Classification:

B64C 900

US Classification:

416 24

Abstract:

An actuation system for pivoting a flap on a helicopter rotor blade to reduce the interaction of the blade with the preceding blade vortex. The actuation system includes a fluid supply which is connected to first and second fluid supply lines. The fluid supply lines convey flows of pressurized fluid from the fluid supply to an actuator. The actuator includes a housing mounted within the rotor blade and having a channel formed in it. A butterfly shaft is pivotally mounted within the channel and has laterally extending arms which separate the channel into four lobes. A first port connects the first fluid supply line with two diametrically opposed lobes in the channel. A second port connects the second fluid supply line with the other two diametrically opposed lobes in the channel. A torque coupling is attached to the butterfly shaft and engaged with the flap such that rotation of the torque coupling produces concomitant rotation of the flap. The pressurization of the first fluid supply line causes the torque coupling to rotate in a first direction.