US 12,459,638 B2
Pitch drop friction brake
Tyler Christian Kane, Fairfield, CT (US); and Kevin A. Laitenberger, Beacon Falls, CT (US)
Assigned to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed on Sep. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/369,751.
Prior Publication US 2025/0091712 A1, Mar. 20, 2025
Int. Cl. B64C 27/48 (2006.01); B64C 27/32 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 27/48 (2013.01) [B64C 27/322 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotor system of a rotary wing aircraft, the rotor system comprising:
a rotor hub comprising a hub arm;
a rotor blade coupling;
at least one bearing positioned around an inboard end of the rotor blade coupling to enable rotation of the rotor blade coupling relative to the hub arm about a longitudinal axis of the hub arm; and
a first brake assembly comprising a rod coupled to the rotor blade coupling and a first brake shoe coupled to the rod, the first brake shoe configured to apply a force on the hub arm,
wherein an axial position of the rod is adjustable to vary the force of the first brake shoe on the hub arm.