Helicopter rotor
A rotor for a helicopter, having a drive shaft rotating about a first axis; a hub angularly integral with the drive shaft about the first axis; and at least two blades projecting from the hub, on the opposite side to the first axis, and extending along respective second axes crosswise to the first axis; each blade is movable with respect to the hub and the other blades about a respective fourth axis parallel to the first axis, about the respective second axis, and about a respective third axis crosswise to the first and respective second axis; the rotor also has a number of first dampers for damping vibration associated with at least oscillation of the relative blades about the respective fourth axes; the first dampers are connected to one another and each to a relative blade; and, in a radial direction with respect to the first axis, at least one first damper is located between the first axis and the fourth axis of the relative blade.
1. A rotor for a helicopter, comprising:
a drive shaft rotating about a first axis;
a hub angularly integral with said drive shaft about said first axis;
at least two blades projecting from said hub, on the opposite side to said first axis, and extending along respective second axes crosswise to said first axis; each said blade being movable with respect to said hub and the other said blades about a respective fourth axis parallel to said first axis, about the respective said second axis, and about a respective third axis crosswise to said first and respective second axis; and
a number of first dampers for damping vibration associated with at least oscillation of the relative said blades about the respective said fourth axes; said first dampers being connected to one another and each to a relative blade;
said blades rotating, in use, collectively about said first axis together with said hub;
characterized in that at least one said first damper is located between said first axis and said fourth axis of the relative blade, in a radial direction with respect to said first axis;
said rotor further comprising a second damper interposed between said hub and at least one said first damper.
2. A rotor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that at least one said blade comprises a connecting member hinged to said hub to move about the respective said second, third, and fourth axis; and a shank defining a radially inner end of the blade with respect to said first axis, and cooperating with the relative said first damper.
3. A rotor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said first dampers define respective arms of a ring surrounding said first axis.
4. A rotor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of said first dampers comprises a tooth engaging a slot defined by said hub.
5. A rotor as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that each said first damper comprises an elastomeric member fitted through at least partly with said shank of the relative said blade; and a body made of rigid material and defining a cavity housing said elastomeric member.
6. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 1 .
7. A helicopter comprising an antitorque tail rotor; and a main rotor as claimed in claim 1 .
8. A rotor as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that said first dampers define respective arms of a ring surrounding said first axis.
9. A rotor as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that at least one of said first dampers comprises a tooth engaging a slot defined by said hub.
10. A rotor as claimed in claim 3 , characterized in that at least one of said first dampers comprises a tooth engaging a slot defined by said hub.
11. A rotor as claimed in claim 6 , characterized in that each said first damper comprises an elastomeric member fitted through at least partly with said shank of the relative said blade; and a body made of rigid material and defining a cavity housing said elastomeric member.
12. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 2 .
13. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 3 .
14. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 4 .
15. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 5 .
16. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 8 .
17. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 9 .
18. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 10 .
19. A helicopter comprising a main rotor; and an antitorque tail rotor as claimed in claim 11 .