The aerodynamic and mechanical characteristics of the tail rotor have a substantial
impact upon the operation of the
Arlton Gyro
stabilizer. The actuating power of a
purely mechanical gyro stabilizer is determined by the rotational speed, size and
mass of the gyro paddles and gyro hub. Given a particular tail rotor rotational speed,
high actuation forces require large diameter and/or heavy gyro paddles. Tail rotor
blade actuation forces, therefore, must be kept low to minimize the size and weight of
the gyro.
Undercambered airfoils can greatly increase the thrust of the tail rotor, but the
pitching forces generated by undercambered airfoils can also exert high loads on the
tail rotor blade pitch-control linkages, and consequently on the gyro. The tail rotor
blades on the
Model 110
helicopter are aerodynamically and centrifugally balanced
to operate in conjunction with the
Arlton Gyro
stabilizer. Small weights are provided
at the root of each blade for fine tuning the pitching forces. If the blades are not
completely pitch-balanced, the gyro will tilt slightly even when the helicopter is not
turning. In this case, the small weights should be replaced with lighter or heavier
weights until the gyro no longer tilts noticeably.
The
Arlton Gyro
stabilizer on the
Model 110
is only one member of a family of simple
mechanical gyros. Over 20 variations have been developed to suit various helicopter
configurations. With certain modifications to the structure of the helicopter, the gyro
may be located on either side of the tail rotor, on the gearbox opposite the tail rotor, or
elsewhere on the helicopter. Since the gyro can be adapted to produce a thrust force
like that produced by the tail rotor, some configurations have multiple rotors, while
others omit the tail rotor entirely and have only a single gyro-rotor. All of these
variations, along with the other unique features of Lite Machines helicopters, are
patented in the United States and countries all over the world.
Op er a tor's Guide
How Helicopters Work
8-12
LITE MA CHINES
