To: All and Nick if you are monitoring the thread
I contacted the Sikorsky service department (203-386-3407) and asked them about centrifugal forces were more important than centripetal forces in the design of the rotorhead. He told me that there was a very good explanation in the Blue Bible of centrifugal forces and how these forces effected the operation of the rotorhead.. I laughed and told him that Nick Lappos indicated that I was technically unsophisticated in referencing the Blue Bible when discussing an engineering problem and then he laughed. He suggested that I send an email to the department and they would get an answer.
Here is the email message:
Gentlemen:
I have a technical question. I participate in a technical forum dealing with helicopters and on several occasions I referenced the Sikorsky Helicopter Flight Theory for Pilots and Mechanics and the subject matter dealt with gyroscopic precession and the use of the term centrifugal force. One of your test pilots also participates on this forum and he chided me saying that I was technically unsophisticated for using this book in a discussion of engineering principles. I spoke with Mr. Robert McFarland of your organization and he suggested I send the request via email.
My question is, when Sikorsky engineers design a rotorhead are they more concerned with centripetal forces in calculating stress levels on the head or, are they more concerned with centrifugal forces?
I would appreciate a rapid response if possible, as this is an ongoing discussion on the forum.