Main rotor blades at Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. have traditionally been balanced using a dedicated balance fixture for each rotor blade model. These individual fixtures use MarvelTM arbors to support a blade cradle, which includes a counterweight that is 'tuned' to match the weight of a master rotor blade. Two bubble levels attached near the pivot point at the center of the balance fixture are used to indicate the blade balance in the spanwise and chordwise directions. The levels indicate when the blade is in tolerance to the master blade. A new system of balancing all rotor blade models on the same fixture was developed to increase balance accuracy, provide written documentation of balance operation, and reduce the amount of floor space required in the balance area. The new balance technology was developed using high-capacity, high-precision scales, placed on air bearings to enhance reading accuracy. The weight readings from the scales are transferred through an interface to a computer equipped with Windows 95TM and Lotus 1-2-3TM. Within Lotus 1-2-3TM, a balance program is written for each blade model to be balanced.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Universal balancing equipment for main rotor blades


    Contributors:
    Gunnell, J. (author)


    Publication date :

    1998


    Size :

    7 Seiten


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    CONTROL METHOD FOR DYNAMIC BALANCING OF HELICOPTER MAIN AND STEERING ROTOR BLADES

    BARABUSHKA ALEKSANDR SERGEEVICH / ISAEV SERGEJ ALEKSANDROVICH / KUZNETSOV OLEG YUREVICH et al. | European Patent Office | 2017

    Free access

    Blades, Main or Tail Rotor

    Online Contents | 1994


    Method of assembling and balancing rotor blades

    LEAHY KEVIN P / CAPUTO FRANK | European Patent Office | 2017

    Free access

    METHOD FOR REMOVING MAIN ROTOR BLADES FROM MAIN ROTOR HUB YOKE

    KNOTT KEVIN MATTHEW | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access

    Design Study of Repairable Main Rotor Blades

    P. F. Maloney / C. R. Akeley | NTIS | 1972