DESIGN: UniCopter ~ Rotor - Hub - ARR - An Idea

Drawing: This drawing requires major changes or elimination

• Spindle: Look at ABC method of mounting blade and feathering bearings in Technical document ~ Advancing Blade Concept (ABC) Development.
• Top Plate: This can have a slip fit spline in the middle for rotating the rotor. It can and also serve as the retainer for the upper bearing.
• Ground Transport: It would be desirable to have in-plane hinges to 'bundle' blades for ground transportation.
• Collective Movement: The amount of collective movement in the 'swashplate' will probable be quite normal. This means that the 'swashplate' will move up and down the normal amount but the maximum 'tipping' angle for cyclic will be small. If the intent is to have a high performance helicopter then the collective pitch range should be considerably greater than normal; from negative for inverted flying to large positive for high climb rates
• Cyclic Movement: The amount of cyclic movement it the 'swashplate' will probable be quite small. This means that the 'swashplate' will move up and down the normal amount but the maximum 'tipping' angle will be small. Remember - I believe that the first ABC crashed because it did not have enough cyclic.
• Adjustment of Pitch Link Rod End Bearings: At the current location of the pitch link bearings 1" of movement give a change of 16º. The thread on a 1/4" rod end is 28-UNF. If a female was mated with a male, then rotating the male 180º will change the angle 16 / (.5 * 28) = 0.2857º. Increasing the pitch by 0.2857 will increase the lift by (70 lbs. / 6 blades) = 11 lbs., for the 2-seat helicopter. The 1-seat helicopter will be about 6 lbs. Is this a fine enough adjustment?

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