Semi-automatic rotor blade fold mechanism
A blade-fold bushing system includes a splined bushing comprising a first plurality of teeth, a castellated bushing comprising a second plurality of teeth and a shaft portion configured to coaxially fit within the splined bushing, and a lock bushing coaxially aligned with the castellated bushing. A support tool for use with a blade-fold bushing system includes an outer head comprising a third plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the first plurality of teeth of the splined bushing, and an inner head comprising a fourth plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the second plurality of teeth of the castellated bushing.
1. A blade-fold bushing system comprising:
a splined bushing comprising a first plurality of teeth;
a castellated bushing comprising a second plurality of teeth and a shaft portion configured to coaxially fit within the splined bushing;
a lock bushing coaxially aligned with the castellated bushing; and
wherein:
the lock bushing is configured to engage the castellated bushing and extend through a grip coupled to a rotor blade;
the shaft portion of the castellated bushing comprises an extended portion; and
the lock bushing comprises a recess configured to receive the extended portion and prevent rotation of the castellated bushing relative to the lock bushing.
2. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 1 , wherein the splined bushing further comprises a support tab configured to connect to the rotor blade.
3. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 1 , wherein the splined bushing further comprises a sloped face configured to work with a v-band clamp.
4. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 1 , wherein the castellated bushing further comprises blade-fold bolt teeth that are configured to mesh with teeth of a blade-fold bolt.
5. A blade-fold bushing system comprising:
a splined bushing comprising a first plurality of teeth;
a castellated bushing comprising a second plurality of teeth and a shaft portion configured to coaxially fit within the splined bushing;
a lock bushing coaxially aligned with the castellated bushing;
a support tool comprising:
an outer head comprising a third plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the first plurality of teeth of the splined bushing; and
an inner head comprising a fourth plurality of teeth configured to mesh with the second plurality of teeth of the castellated bushing; and
wherein;
the lock bushing is configured to engage the castellated bushing and extend through a grip coupled to a rotor blade;
the shaft portion of the castellated bushing comprises an extended portion; and
the lock bushing comprises a recess configured to receive the extended portion and prevent rotation of the castellated bushing relative to the lock bushing.
6. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 5 , wherein the outer head is configured to rotate in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.
7. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 5 , wherein the inner head and the outer head are configured to rotate in opposite directions.
8. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a v-band clamp;
wherein the splined bushing comprises a sloped face configured to mate with the v-band clamp; and
wherein the outer head comprises a sloped face configured to mate with the v-band clamp.
9. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 5 , wherein the splined bushing further comprises a support tab configured to connect to the rotor blade.
10. The blade-fold bushing system of claim 5 , wherein the castellated bushing further comprises blade-fold bolt teeth that are configured to mesh with teeth of a blade-fold bolt.
11. A method of assembling a blade-fold bushing system, the method comprising:
securing a splined bushing in a blade tang, the splined bushing comprising a first plurality of teeth;
securing a lock bushing in a grip, the lock bushing being coaxially located with the splined bushing; and
inserting a castellated bushing into the splined bushing;
wherein:
the castellated bushing engages the lock bushing and comprises a second plurality of teeth and a shaft portion configured to coaxially fit within the splined bushing;
the castellated bushing comprises an extended portion on a bottom of the shaft portion; and
the lock bushing comprises a recess configured to receive the extended portion and prevent rotation of the castellated bushing relative to the lock bushing.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising inserting a blade-fold bolt into the castellated bushing to secure the castellated bushing to the lock bushing.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the splined bushing further comprises a support tab configured to connect to a rotor blade.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the splined bushing further comprises a sloped face configured to work with a v-band clamp.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the castellated bushing further comprises blade-fold bolt teeth that are configured to mesh with teeth of a blade-fold bolt.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the lock bushing is secured to the grip via adhesive.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the splined bushing is secured to the blade tang via adhesive.