Lightweight and maintenance-free pillow block bearings in the rotor head for ultralight gyrocopters

• What was needed: iglidur ®-friction bearing, igubal ®-pillow block bearing
• Requirements: A lightweight and reliable bearing for the rotor head and brake lever was sought.
• Industry: Aerospace, aviation industry
• Success for the customer: The decision in favour of the bearings resulted from several reasons: They are particularly vibration-damping, insensitive to dust, low-maintenance, compact and especially light. They also have high strength values and impressed the customer with their low cost.

Schwarz Industrieservice was looking for a suitable bearing for the rotor head of this ultra-light gyroplane. The rotor blades rotate dynamically at approx. 400 revolutions per minute and perform oscillating movements at max. 30°. A lubrication device for grease lubrication is provided for this purpose. The gimbal-mounted rotor head can be steered around the longitudinal and transverse axes. Only occasional control movements occur. Initial filling with grease is sufficient. A rotor brake must slow the rotor speed from approx. 200 revolutions per minute to a standstill. The rotary movement of the brake lever must also be supported.

Four plain bearings and thrust washers made of the material iglidur® G were chosen for the bearing of the longitudinal and transverse axis of the rotor head. Two iglidur ® plain bearings were also used for the rotary movement of the brake lever for the rotor brake. The braking torque is absorbed by two iglidur ® thrust washers. Two igubal ® pillow block bearings are used for the control system of the rotor head, which are vibration-damping and compensate for misalignment.
The decision in favour of the bearings resulted from several reasons. They are particularly vibration-damping, insensitive to dust, low-maintenance, compact and particularly light. They also have high strength values. Finally, the favourable costs for the choice of the iglidur® G bearings were also convincing.