Textron Inc.
Selectively engageable aircraft driveshaft using friction plates

Abstract:

Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a fuselage and a wing assembly rotatable relative to the fuselage about a stow axis between a flight position and a stowed position. The aircraft includes an engine reduction gearbox ("ERGB") having a retractable driveshaft assembly with an actuation shaft and a first friction plate. Actuation of the retractable driveshaft assembly by the actuation shaft causes the first friction plate to selectively engage and disengage a second friction plate associated with a mid-wing gearbox ("MWGB") via axially translatable motion of the retractable driveshaft assembly along its rotation axis. When the friction plates are engaged, rotation of the retractable driveshaft assembly imparts rotation to at least one rotor assembly. When the friction plates are disengaged, the wing assembly is capable of selectively rotation with respect to the fuselage about the stow axis between the flight position and the stowed position.