Dec. 28, 1948, A. M.

YOUNG 2,457,429
ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT
Filed May 9, 1945 2. Sheets-Sheet l

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INVENTOR
ARTHUR M. Young
BY

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Dec. 28, 1948. A. M, YOUNG 2,457,429
ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT
Filed May 9, 1945 2. Sheets-Sheet 2

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NVENTOR
ARTHUR M. Youne
BY

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 Patented Dec. 28, 1948
2457,429

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEROTARY WING ARCRAFT

Arthur M. Young, Buffalo, N.Y., assignor to Bell
Aircraft Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y.
Application May 9, 1945, Serial No. 592,823
- 1.
8 Claims. (CI. 170-160,26)
This invention relates to aircraft, and more balanced and freely pivotable 2
particularly aircraft of rotary wing type and to and to permit the blades
hub to rock freely
improvements in rotor mechanisms therefor of extending generally longitudinallyas a unit about an axis
the type such as disclosed in my issued U. S. of the dual
Patent 2,256,918. - 5
blade unit for what may be termed "feathering'
It is an object of the present invention to of the rotor, for the purpose of tipping the vertical
provide improvements in rotor blade mount and axis of the rotor. This operation procures dif
control systems of the general type disclosed in ferential changes in the blade angles of attack
my aforesaid patent, whereby to prevent rotor which in turn produce tilting of the virtual axis
blade "coning' effects from undesirably impress 0 of the rotor for control of the horizontal flight
of the aircraft. A primary object of the inven
ing varying torque forces upon the rotor blade
pitch control system. tion covered by my aforesaid Patent 2,256,918
Another object of the invention is to provide was to functionally separate the mechanisms of
rotor feathering and pitch change, while the pres
an improved dual, bladed rotor mounting and ent invention goes still further and provides for
pitch control arrangement in rotative wing type 5 vertical separation of the axes of feathering and
aircraft.
Another object of the invention is to provide pitch change for the following purposes.
an improved rotor blade mount and control ar It is a characteristic of the type rotor referred
rangement in "pre-coned' type rotor blade sys to in my aforesaid patent that during fight op
tems for rotative wing aircraft. 20
erations the rotor blades cone (as illustrated in
Another object of the invention is to provide Fig. 4 herein) and that this coning effect in com
bination with torque forces of different degrees
an improved rotor blade mount and control ar on the two blades of the rotor introduces undesir
rangement for rotative wing type aircraft, for able forces into the rotor feathering control sys
use in conjunction with either pre-coned blade
arrangements or with flexible blade arrangements 25 aten.rotor
For illustration, Fig. 4 herein represents
of which the blades are shown in a coned
which inherently involve coning, effects under attitude and the rotor blade torque forces are
fight conditions. assumed to be acting upon the blades as at cen
Other objects and advantage of the invention ters P1-P2. Thus, it will be understood that
will appear from the specification hereinafter.
In the drawings: 30 whenever the torque forces on the two blades
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan of a rotor blade ofare unequal (and if the universal joint device
mount and control arrangement of the invention; the rotor hub is centered on an axis as shown
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism of at A-A as in the case of my aforesaid patent)
Fig. there will then be a couple around the axis A-A
Fig. 3 is a section as along line II-III of 35 tending to rotate the rotor as a unit about an
Fig. 2; axis in the direction of extension of the blades,
Fig. 4 is a generalized diagrammatic view of which will in turn throw a force into the feather
ing control system.
a rotor in side elevation, illustrating the coning The present invention contemplates raising of
effect herein referred to; and the hub universal joint to an elevated level, as
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section as along line
V-W of Fig. 1.
40 along the line B-B in Fig. 4 which may be de
The invention is illustrated in conjunction with fined as a line through the points P1-Pa; and it
a rotative wing aircraft rotor mount and con will now be apparent that any difference in the
trol arrangement which is generally of the type torque forces at P1-P2 will not tend to rotate
disclosed in my issued Patent 2,256,918. That is, the hub because such force difference would have
- the arrangement comprises a pair of oppositely no lever arm. The center of mass of the rotor
extending blades Carried upon a central hub which is thereby brought into coincidence with the cen
is of such construction that the blades may turn ter of pivotation of the rotor; and therefore the
individually about their long axes for what I present invention distinguishes from arrange
term "pitch change' or vertical flight control, 50
ments such as shown in my aforesaid patent in
against relatively heavy bearing surfaces so as that it contemplates that the pitch change and
to Successfully withstand the centrifugal forces feathering axes be arranged in vertically offset
incidental to rotor operation. The hub itself is relationship instead of in vertically coincident
pivotally mounted upon the upper end of the air relationship, and also in that the "pitch change'
craft mast or drive shaft so as to be delicately 55 type rotations of the rotor blades upon their
mounts be controlled in different manner.
 2,457,429
3 4.
With the above stated objects and purposes clinable relative thereto and connected to rotor
in mind, the invention may be illustrated as in blade pitch control crank arms such as are illus
the accompanying drawing in conjunction with trated herein at 40-40 through a differential
a pair of opposite'y extending rotor blades 0-0 linkage system comprising struts 42, 44 and 46
which are carried by means of a novel hub as ill carried upon opposite arms of a rotating inertia
lustrated generally at 2 upon a rotating drive device as illustrated at 50. As explained in my
shaft or mast 4. The hub device 2 comprises a aforesaid patents, such an inertia device may be
generally annular member 5 which encircles the pivotally mounted as at 52 herein (Fig. 3) upon
drive shaft 4 in freely spaced relation therefrom the mast 4 so as to be caused to rotate therewith
and is pivotally mounted as by means of a pair th while being vertically rockable thereon about an
of diametrically extending stub shaft and bear axis extending parallel to the direction of the
ing devices, 6-6 lipon corresponding rotor blade pitch change axes of the rotor blades and so con
yokes 8-8 so that the yokes 8-8 are free nected to the rotor blade pitch control arms as to
to rotate relative to the hub annulus fs about provide automatic stability of the aircraft while
aligned axes as indicated at A-A (Figs. 2 and 4) in flight. Also, as explained therein, simultane
directed parallel to the direction of extension of ous upward or downward displacements of the
said rotor blades. The yokes 8-8 are illus control for similar actuation of the links 46-46
trated to terminate in clevis portions 20-20 which will procure collective pitch change effects in the
receive the rotor blade roots and connect thereto rotor blades for vertical ascent and descent con
as by bolts 22-22. Diagonal struts 24-24 con 20 trol, while differential vertical displacements of
nect to the blades 0-0 through means of bolts the control links 46-46 will procure "feathering'
26 adjacent the trailing edges of the blades and or cyclic pitch change effects in the rotor blades
to the blade yokes 8-8 as by connections at for horizontal flight control purposes. In any
28-28 to brace the blades relative to their root case the inertia device 50 is free to function at
yokes and to provide the blades and yokes to be 25 all times independently of pilot imposed control
rotatable as units upon the hub bearings 6-6, forces to :uperpose cyclic pitch change effects
while the centrifugal loads on the blades 0-0 upon the rotor blade pitch adjustment system for
are transmitted in apposition through the bear stability purposes as referred to hereinabove and
ings 6- 6 and the annular hub 5. as explained in more detail in my Patent No.
To provide the hub and blade assembly to be 30 2,368,698. However, it is to be understood that
rotatable as a unit relative to the mast 4 about control devices such as the swash plate and
an axis extending in the direction of extension of inertia means for superposed pilot control and
the rotor blade unit, the hub 5 is provided with inherent stability characteristics just referred to
upstanding bearing blocks 30-39 which mount Comprise no part of the present invention al
though it is particularly, adapted to be employed
inWardly extending bearing pins. 32-32 rotata in conjunction therewith; but that the present
bly engaging within socketed portions of a ring invention may be employed in conjunction with
34 which also encircles in freely spaced relation any other suitable manual or automatic control
the upper end of the mast 4. The ring 34 is dis system.
posed at an elevation above the annulus 5, and 0 In order to insure that the rotor blades. 0-0
thus the rotor blade and hub unit is mounted upon rotate simultaneously relative to the hub 5, a .
the ring 34 so as to be "underslung' at B-B which motion Synchronizing mechanism is employed to
is parallel to the axis A-A but sufficiently there interconnect corresponding horns 60-60 which
above to cause the axis B-B to substantially are illustrated to extend substantially vertically
Coincide with the centers of drag of the blades. 45 from each of the blade brackets 8-8. As illus
The ring 34 is pivotally mounted upon the trated in the drawing, the sychronizing mechan
mast f4 as by means of axially aligned pivot pins ism may comprise a rocker arm 62 centrally
36-35, the axes of which extend in a horizontal pivoted as at 65 upon the rotor hub 5 and piv
direction at right angles to the direction of the otally connected at its opposite ends to short
axis B-B, whereby the ring 34 is mounted to be
links 6-64 which in turn extend into corre
freely rotatable upon the mast 4 about an axis 50 sponding
at right angles to the axis of rocking of the rotor pivotal connections at 66-66 with the
blade unit relative to the ring 34. This provides upper ends of the horns 60-60. Thus, it will be
the equivalent of a freely hinged or flapping type understood that only coincidental pitch change
rotor System. positional adjustments of the rotor blades 0-0
Thus, an arrangement is provided whereby in 55 relative to the hub f5 will be permitted and that .
Order to control the aircraft embodying the in such adjustments will always occure to equal de
vention so as to alter the lift effects of the rotor, grees but in opposite directions. Without such
as in connection with climbing or descending a device to synchronize the blade pitch change
flight operations, the rotor blades may be ad motions there would be an undesirable freedom
justed as to pitch relative to the hub annulus 5; 60 in the pitch control mechanism permitting the
while for feathering effects in order to procure hub to get of center and out of balance relative
horizontal flight control, the blade and hub to the mast by sidewise displacements of the hub.
assembly may be pivoted as a unit relative to Such displacements would not be restrained by
the mast 4 through the universal joint type con the control linkage alone because they would
nection furnished by the pivot devices 32-36. It 65 occur without changes of the blade angles (either
is of course contemplated that any suitable means in pitch or in feathering). It will of course be
for positionally adjusting the rotor blades and understood that any other suitable means for .
the rotor blade hub unit relative to the mast Synchronizing the blade pitch motions may be
for the above stated purposes may be employed. employed, such as bevel gears; cables; vertically
For example, the rotor mechanism may be air disposed levers, or the like. The pitch equalizer
ranged to be controlled as in the case of my issued also has advantageous application to any rotor in
U. S. Patents 2,256,918 and 2,368,698 which dis which the blades feather themselves by aero
close the use of a "swash-plate' device, or the dynamic action. For example, a rotor in which
like to be mounted to encircle the mast 4 while the blades are free to feather themselves by aero
being vertically displaceable and universally in dynamic action such as in Bleecker Patent No.
 5
2,457,429
1,819,863 is open to the objection that in trans 3.
verse flow of air such as when the aircraft is mov hub in a plane perpendicular to said main axis,
ing horizontally, the blades tend to maintain means rotatably journalling said blades upon said
equal angles with respect to the relative wind. hub, means for rocking said hub and blades as a
Due to the difference in velocity of the incident unit about one of said pivot axes for feathering
wind against retreating and advancing blades, of said rotor, means for individually rotating said
however, they do not maintain equal lifts even blades upon their journalling means with respect
with the feathering action which the flapping to said hub for blade pitch changes, and means
hinge normally provides, as discussed in my issued carried solely by the hub and movable bodily
Patent No. 2,082,674. Application of the pitch O therewith and interconnecting said hub and said
equalizer of the present invention to such a rotor incrementscausing
blades for
with
said blades to rotate by equal
respect to said hub.
prevents differential self-adjustment of the 4. In an aircraft of the rotary wing type the
blades, and hence minimizes unbalancing effects . . combination which comprises a body, a support
upon the blades from transverse airflow. This having a main axis mounted on said body, a hub
is accomplished because the pitch equalizer con 5 arranged to rotate about said main axis, a uni
trols the blades simultaneously in response to ver versal joint mounting for said hub on said axis, a
tically directed airflow forces thereon while still source of power mounted in said body and con
leaving the cyclic control in the hands of the pilot. nected to deliver torque to rotate said hub, two
It will also be understood that whenever the in blades extending in opposite radial directions
vention is used in conjunction with preconed type 20 from
rotors the underslung hub further improves the main said axis
hub in a plane perpendicular to said
and rotatably journalled in said hub
rotor operation, and particularly the rotor start for pitch change adjustments, means for rocking
ing operation because when the invention is en said hub and blades as a unit about the lengths
ployed the balance point of the rotor is placed of said blades for feathering, means for indi
close to or above the elevation of the mass of the vidually rotating said blades about their lengths
blades. Without such placement of the rotor bal with respect to said hub for pitch change, and
ance point it would be difficult to bring the rotor means carried solely by the hub and movable bod
up to operative speed because the rotor would be ily therewith and interconnecting said blades for
dynamically unstable; having its mass at an ele equalizing pitch change motions thereof with re
vation above its point of pivoting upon the air 30 spect to said hub.
craft.
Although only one form of the invention has comprisesaircraft
5. An sustaining rotor assembly which
a support defining a principal axis, a
been shown and described in detail it will be ap universal joint mounted to rotate on said sup
parent to those skilled in the art that the inven port, a liftscrew mounted on said universal joint
tion is not so limited but that various changes 5 to rotate about said support in a plane normally
may be made therein without departing from the perpendicular to said principal axis but freely
spirit of the invention or the scope of the ap inclinable in any direction therefrom, said lift
pended claims. screw comprising a hub and two blades extend
claim: . ing in opposite directions from said hub in a
1. In an aircraft of the rotary wing type the 40 plane disposed below the plane of said universal
combination which comprises a support having a joint, means for constraining said two blades to
main axis, a rotor comprising a hub arranged to execute cyclic changes of angle of attack to
rotate about said main axis, a universal joint gether as a unit about an axis in said blades in
mounting for said hub relative to said axis, said synchronism with the rotation of the liftscrew,
joint defining transverse pivot axes, two blades and means for adjusting at Will and controlling
extending in opposite radial directions from said the magnitudes of said changes of angle.
hub in a plane perpendicular to said main axis 6. An aircraft sustaining rotor assembly which
and below the plane of said transverse pivot axes, comprises a Support defining a principal axis, a
means rotatably journalling said blades upon said universal joint mounted to rotate on said sup
hub, means for rocking said hub and blades as port, a liftscrew mounted on said universal joint
a unit about one of said pivot axes for feathering to rotate about said support in a plane normally
of said rotor, and means for individually rotating perpendicular to said principal axis but freely in
said blades upon their journalling means with re clinable in any direction therefrom, said liftscrew
spect to said hub for blade pitch changes. comprising a hub and two blades extending in
2. In a rotor, the combination which comprises, opposite directions from Said hub in a plane dis
a support having a main axis, a hub arranged to posed below the plane of said universal joint,
rotate about said main axis, a universal joint means interconnecting said two blades for con
mounting for said hub on said axis, two blades ex straining said two blades to execute cyclic
tending in opposite radial directions from Said changes of angle of attack together as a unit
hub in a plane perpendicular to said main axis 50 about an axis in said blades in synchronism with
and rotatably journalled in said hub for pitch the rotation of the liftscrew and for equalizing
change adjustments about axes disposed below pitch change motions of said two blades, and
the elevation of the axes of rotation of Said uni Ameans for adjusting at Will and controlling the
versal joint device, means for rocking said hub magnitudes of Said changes of angle and for
and blades as a unit about the lengths of said 65 separately altering the blade angles in like
blades for feathering, and means for individually amounts for pitch change.
rotating said blades about their lengths with re 7. In an aircraft of the rotary wing type, a
spect to said hub for pitch change. body, a rotor support extending from said body
3. In an aircraft of the rotary wing type the in fixed relation thereto, a rotor comprising a hub
combination which comprises a support having mounted upon said support to rotate thereon and
a main axis, a rotor comprising a hub arranged to for universal inclination thereon about transverse
rotate about said main axis, a universal joint axes defining a plane intersecting said hub, and
mounting for said hub relative to said axis, said rotor blades rooted upon said hub below the ele
joint defining transverse pivot axes, two blades vation of said plane and extending radially from
extending in opposite radial directions from said, said hub,
 a.487,429
7
8. In an aircraft of the rotary wing type, a REFERENCEs CITED
rotary wing comprising a hub, means mounting The following references are of record in the
said hub upon the aircraft permitting universal file of this patent:
tilting of said hub relative to the aircraft, rotor UNITED STATES PATENTs
blades mounted upon said hub to be adjustable 5
relative to theehub for pitch change purposes, Number Name Date
control means, means connecting said control 2,023,105 Smith -------------- Dec. 3, 1935
means to each of said rotor blades for feathering 2,156,334 Bothezat.------------ May 2, 1939
and collective pitch adjustments of said blades 2,256,918 Young ------------ Sept. 23, 1941
in response tomanipulation of said control means, () 2,352,404 Pitcairn ----------- June 27, 1944
and means interconnecting said hub and said 2,369,048 Hays ---------------- Feb. 6, 1945
blades constructed and arranged to suppress FOREIGN PATENTS
blade movements with respect to said hub except Number Country Date
equal pitch changing movements of said blades
in the same sense of pitch change angle with re- 5 767,068. France ------------- Apr. 23, 1934
spect to said hub.
ARTHUR, M, YOUNG..