Tension-torsion strap
A tension-torsion strap, for example for a rotor aircraft, including a continuous length of carbon fiber tow arranged in multiple loops to form an elongated member extending between opposing ends and a flexible cover encasing the carbon fiber tow.
1. A tension-torsion strap couplable between a rotor blade and a hub assembly of a rotor aircraft, the tension-torsion strap comprising:
A single carbon fiber tow that forms an elongated member;
a fastener at each of two opposing ends of the elongated member to couple the tension-torsion strap between the rotor blade and the hub assembly;
a flexible cover encasing the elongated member; and
wherein the single carbon fiber tow consists of a single continuous length of carbon fiber.
2. The tension-torsion strap of claim 1 , wherein the flexible cover is constructed of urethane.
3. The tension-torsion strap of claim 1 , wherein the continuous length of carbon fiber tow is arranged in multiple loops to form the elongated member.
4. The tension-torsion strap of claim 3 , wherein the flexible cover is constructed of urethane.
5. The tension-torsion strap of claim 3 , wherein the carbon fiber tow consists of a single continuous length of carbon fiber tow.
6. The tension-torsion strap of claim 1 , wherein each of the fasteners is an aperture.
7. The tension-torsion strap of claim 3 , wherein the multiple loops are arranged parallel to one another.
8. The tension-torsion strap of claim 3 , wherein the multiple loops form two parallel extending legs that are laterally separated by a gap, each of the legs are separately encased in the flexible cover.
9. The tension-torsion strap of claim 8 , further comprising a web extending across the gap and interconnecting the two parallel extending legs.
10. A tension-torsion strap for a rotor aircraft, the tension-torsion strap comprising:
a single continuous length of carbon fiber tow arranged in multiple loops to form an elongated member extending between opposing ends;
a flexible cover encasing the carbon fiber tow, the flexible cover constructed of urethane;
wherein each of the opposing ends comprises a fastener; and
wherein the fastener is an aperture.
11. The tension-torsion strap of claim 10 , wherein the multiple loops form two parallel extending legs that are laterally separated by a gap, each of the legs are separately encased in the flexible cover.
12. The tension-torsion strap of claim 11 , further comprising a web extending across the gap and interconnecting the two parallel extending legs.
13. A rotor system for a rotor aircraft, comprising:
a rotor blade;
a hub assembly; and
a tension-torsion strap coupled to the hub assembly and coupled to the rotor blade,
wherein the tension-torsion strap comprises:
a continuous length of carbon fiber tow arranged in multiple loops to form an elongated member extending between opposing ends; and
a flexible cover encasing the carbon fiber tow.
14. The rotor system of claim 13 , wherein the multiple loops are arranged parallel to one another.
15. The rotor system of claim 13 , wherein the carbon fiber tow consists of a single continuous length of carbon fiber tow.
16. The rotor system of claim 13 , wherein the carbon fiber tow consists of a single continuous length of carbon fiber tow; and
the multiple loops are arranged parallel to one another.
17. The rotor system of claim 16 , wherein the multiple loops form two parallel extending legs that are laterally separated by a gap, each of the legs are separately encased in the flexible cover.