Helicopter drip pan

Abstract

A drip pan apparatus for a “M” model BLACK HAWK® helicopter and the like includes an expanded corner structure for accommodating an access port also positioned further outwardly in the corner than in prior drip pan apparatuses, facilitating filter viewing while retaining peripheral o-ring seal. An expanded corner of the airframe skirt is accommodated by the expanded corresponding corner of a frame, which also defines a small radius internal curve. The removable pan has a small radius curve cooperating with the small radius curve of the frame and is sealed thereto by the peripheral o-ring seal sealing the entire pan to the frame. Physical access to the filter is enhanced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drip pan for cooperation with a frame secured to a depending skirt, which defines an access opening for access to a rotor transmission of a helicopter, the frame having an inwardly-facing peripheral surface, said drip pan comprising:
 a member having an outwardly-facing peripheral surface, said outwardly-facing peripheral surface being adapted to cooperate with the inwardly-facing peripheral surface of the frame and defining a first pan corner and at least one other pan corner, wherein said first pan corner differs in curvature to said at least one other pan corner.   
     
     
         2 . The drip pan of  claim 1  wherein said member is removably received within the frame in a single orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The drip pan of  claim 1  wherein said first pan corner is defined by a first pan corner radius and said at least one other pan corner is defined by a pan corner radius that is larger than said first pan corner radius. 
     
     
         4 . The drip pan of  claim 1  wherein said outwardly-facing peripheral surface defines a second pan corner having a second pan corner radius and a third pan corner having a third pan corner radius, said second pan corner radius being substantially the same as said third pan corner radius. 
     
     
         5 . The drip pan of  claim 1  wherein an oil filter is attached to the rotor transmission and wherein said member defines an access port for permitting access to the oil filter.