LOW-DRAG ROTOR BLADE EXTENSION
A rotorcraft includes a rotor hub coupled to a mast and a plurality of rotor extensions. Each rotor extension is configured to secure a rotor blade to the rotor hub and includes a first connector configured to attach the rotor extension to a rotor blade, a second connector configured to attach the rotor extension to the rotor hub; a shaft disposed between the first and second connectors, and a damper mount attached to the second connector. The rotorcraft also includes a fairing enclosing the damper and at least a portion of the rotor hub.
1 . A rotor extension for a rotorcraft, the rotor extension comprising:
a first connector configured to attach the rotor extension to a rotor blade;
a second connector configured to attach the rotor extension to a rotor hub of the rotorcraft;
a shaft disposed between the first and second connectors; and
a damper mount attached to the second connector.
2 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is hollow.
3 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is a tongue and the second connector is a clevis.
4 . The rotor extension of claim 3 , wherein the tongue comprises a mounting hole configured to receive a fastener to secure the rotor blade to the rotor extension.
5 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , comprising an extension fairing disposed on the shaft.
6 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are disposed on the shaft at angle relative to one another to introduce an amount of blade twist to the rotor blade.
7 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connector are aligned relative to each other so that no blade twist is introduced by the rotor extension.
8 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a circular cross-section.
9 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is configured to fit within an opening of an end of the rotor blade.
10 . The rotor extension of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is configured to attach to an outer portion of the rotor blade.
11 . A rotorcraft comprising a low-drag rotor extension, the rotorcraft comprising:
a rotor hub coupled to a mast;
a plurality of rotor extensions, each rotor extension configured to secure a rotor blade to the rotor hub, each rotor extension comprising:
a first connector configured to attach the rotor extension to a rotor blade;
a second connector configured to attach the rotor extension to the rotor hub;
a shaft disposed between the first and second connectors; and
a damper mount attached to the second connector; and
a fairing enclosing at least a portion of the rotor hub.
12 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the shaft is hollow.
13 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the first connector comprises a tongue and the second connector comprises a clevis.
14 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the first connector comprises a mounting hole configured to receive a fastener to secure the rotor blade to a rotor extension of the plurality of rotor extensions.
15 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , comprising an extension fairing disposed on a portion of the shaft located outside the fairing.
16 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are set at an angle relative to each other to add an amount of blade twist to a rotor extension of the plurality of rotor extensions.
17 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are aligned relative to each other so that no blade twist is introduced by a rotor extension of the plurality of rotor extensions.
18 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the shaft comprises a circular cross-section.
19 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the first connector is configured to fit within an opening of an end of the rotor blade.
20 . The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the first connector is configured to attach to an outer portion of the rotor blade.