Blade Inspection Method
Encyclopedia
Blade Inspection Method is a system to detect cracks in the main rotor blade
s. The method involved pressurizing the interior cavity of the rotor blades. If a crack is present, pressure is lost and a red indicator on the rotor blade tip was tripped. Later, the BIM system was connected to a cockpit display. BIM allowed only flawed rotor blades to be swapped out. This method has been used on Sikorsky
's S-61 series
and some later helicopter
models.
Helicopter rotor
A helicopter main rotor or rotor system is a type of fan that is used to generate both the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and thrust which counteracts aerodynamic drag in forward flight...
s. The method involved pressurizing the interior cavity of the rotor blades. If a crack is present, pressure is lost and a red indicator on the rotor blade tip was tripped. Later, the BIM system was connected to a cockpit display. BIM allowed only flawed rotor blades to be swapped out. This method has been used on Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
's S-61 series
Sikorsky S-61
The Sikorsky S-61L and S-61N are civil variants of the successful SH-3 Sea King helicopter. They are two of the most widely used airliner and oil rig support helicopters built.-Design and development:...
and some later helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
models.