801results about "Drag reduction" patented technology

The present disclosure relates to an aircraft including two or more propulsive devices, and a fuselage integrated with a pair of wings to create a Blended Wing Body (BWB) structure, wherein an orientation of the fuselage and the pair of wings change based on a transition of the aircraft from a vertical position to a horizontal position. Further, each wing of the pair of wings includes a lower winglet and an upper winglet that are identical and coupled to each other at a wing tip. The aircraft further includes a plurality of elevons controlled by two or more propellers associated with the two or more propulsive devices.

An aircraft wing is disclosed having a fixed wing with a tip, and a wing tip device rotatably mounted on a hinge at the tip of the fixed wing, such that the wing tip device is rotatable about the hinge, and an actuation system for rotating the wing tip device about the hinge. The actuation system includes a motor, at least one geared rotary actuator, a reduction gearbox, a clutch for selectively decoupling rotation of the motor from rotation of the geared rotary actuator, the geared rotary actuator is driveable by the motor and arranged to convert rotary motion into a different rotary motion and is arranged to rotate the wing tip device relative to the tip of the fixed wing. The clutch is coupled to the geared rotary actuator by a shaft and the shaft is fixed in rotation to a mass disposed radially outwardly from the shaft.

An aircraft is disclosed having a device and an aircraft wing. The aircraft wing includes a main wing element and a movable wing tip device attached to a tip end of the main wing element. The movable wing tip device includes an accumulator configured to store energy and the movable wing tip device can move relative to the main wing element to vary a span of the aircraft wing. The accumulator is configured to transmit power to the device. The accumulator enables energy to trickle between the main wing element and the movable wing tip device whilst still providing a suitable power source to the device. Additional embodiments include a method of maintenance, and a method of operating the aircraft wing to store energy in the movable wing tip device.

An aircraft has a boom, a propulsion assembly coupled to a first end of the boom, and a first wing coupled to a second end of the boom. The propulsion assembly is coupled to the boom by a rotating joint. A second wing is optionally coupled to the rotating joint. The first wing is coupled to the boom by a rotating joint. The first wing is coupled to the rotating joint by a hinge. A vehicle with roll, pitch, and yaw maneuverability able to mirror the aircraft movements may be coupled to the second end of the boom. The vehicle body may be picked up with a vehicle chassis disconnected from the vehicle body. The boom houses an energy source to power the propulsion assembly. A rudder is coupled to the second end of the boom. A paddle is disposed between the propulsion assembly and the boom.

An aircraft wing has a leading edge, a fixed wing portion and a leading-edge spoiler device. The spoiler device is hingedly mounted relative to the fixed wing portion adjacent the leading edge, moveable between retracted and deployed positions. In the retracted position a spoiler surface forms a continuous surface with a fixed wing portion upper aerodynamic surface, and in the deployed position the spoiler surface is rotated relative to the upper aerodynamic surface. In the retracted position the spoiler surface has a first portion forward of the hinge and a second portion aft of the hinge. A center of pressure of the local wing section acts on the spoiler surface providing a moment about the hinge in a first direction to bias the spoiler device to the retracted position and providing a moment about the hinge in a second, opposite direction, rotating the spoiler device to the deployed position.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are contemplated for electric powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Such are craft are engineered to carry safely carry at least 500 pounds (approx. 227 kg) using a few (e.g., 2-4) rotors, generally variable speed rigid (non-articulated) rotors. It is contemplated that one or more rotors generate a significant amount of lift (e.g., 70%) during rotorborne flight (e.g., vertical takeoff, hover, etc), and tilt to provide forward propulsion during wingborne flight. The rotors preferably employ individual blade control, and are battery powered. The vehicle preferably flies in an autopilot or pilotless mode and has a relatively small (e.g., less than 45′ diameter) footprint.

An aircraft wing is provided having a fixed wing with a gulled wing tip rotatably mounted at the tip thereof, the gulled wing tip extending below a wing plane defined by the end of the fixed wing such that the centre of gravity of the gulled wing tip is located below the wing plane. Lowering the centre of gravity of the gulled wing tip has been found to reduce the onset of flutter. The gulled wing tip may be gulled about a hinge axis where it meets the fixed wing, or may be otherwise folded or curved to lower the centre of gravity of the gulled wing tip.

Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft of the fixed-wing type, comprising a centre section defining a centreline of the aircraft, and a pair of wings, arranged on either side of the centre section, wherein the wings extend longitudinally from the centre section away from and mutually symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry extending through the centreline, wherein each wing comprises a main wing section extending longitudinally from the centre section, wherein the main wing section is configured for generating lift in an upward direction, a wingtip section extending longitudinally from the main wing section in a downwards sloping manner with respect to the main wing section, and a control surface provided in the wingtip section.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are contemplated for electric powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Such are craft are engineered to carry safely carry at least 500 pounds (approx. 227 kg) using a few (e.g., 2-4) rotors, generally variable speed rigid (non-articulated) rotors. It is contemplated that one or more rotors generate a significant amount of lift (e.g., 70%) during rotorborne flight (e.g., vertical takeoff, hover, etc), and tilt to provide forward propulsion during wingborne flight. The rotors preferably employ individual blade control, and are battery powered. The vehicle preferably flies in an autopilot or pilotless mode and has a relatively small (e.g., less than 45′ diameter) footprint.

An aircraft wing includes a wing root having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a distal end. The wing also includes a wing tip and a wing-tip hinge that pivotally couples the wing tip to the wing root and defines a wing-tip axis that is perpendicular to a folding plane. The wing tip is pivotable about the wing-tip axis, within the folding plane, between, and inclusive of, an extended position and a retracted position, relative to the wing root. When in the extended position, the leading edge of the wing tip extends from the leading edge of the wing root in a spanwise direction of the wing root. When in the retracted position, the leading edge of the wing tip extends from the leading edge of the wing root in a chordwise direction of the wing root.

A morphing airfoil includes a dynamic flexible skin system that is capable of carrying high level aerodynamic (or fluid) pressure loads over a structural surface. The structural surface can morph and bend in response to control inputs to change a lift force without separate movable control surfaces. A plurality of standoff mounts are attached to an inner surface of anisotropic skin. The standoff mounts include through apertures for receiving a flexible stringer. The anisotropic skin is attached to underlying structure through the flexible stringers. The flexible stringers interface with actuated position control ribs and passive compliant support ribs. A control system causes the underlying support structure to move to a desired location which in turn causes the skin to bend and / or flex without exceeding a stress threshold and thus vary the lift and drag distributions along a span of the airfoil without separate control surfaces.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having wings stowed against a fuselage of the UAV in a first arrangement is disclosed. Methods and systems for deploying the wings into a second arrangement are disclosed. For example, after a launch of the UAV, the UAV monitors for at least one precondition. The at least one pre-condition being a pre-condition associated with deploying wings of the UAV into the second arrangement. Upon detecting the at least one precondition, the wings of the UAV are deployed into a second arrangement. Deploying the wings comprises activating, in response to detecting the at least one precondition associated with the UAV, a gearbox configured to transition the wings from the first arrangement to the second arrangement. Roll control may be maintained throughout launch and deployment.

The present invention relates to a winglet which is provided at a spanwise outer side of a wing of a fixed-wing aircraft and comprises: a support structure which supports the winglet; the skin is attached to the supporting structure and comprises an upper skin body arranged on the upper portion of the supporting structure and a lower skin body arranged on the lower portion of the supporting structure, and a leading edge skin body is formed at the position where the upper skin body and the lower skin body are connected; the piezoelectric device is attached to the inner surface of at least one of the upper skin, the lower skin and the leading edge skin, and the piezoelectric device can be driven to deform, so that the skin deforms along with deformation of the piezoelectric device. By means of the arrangement, the wing shape of the winglet can be changed according to expectation, and therefore the winglet with the high-low-speed aerodynamic performance is achieved in an active flow control mode. In addition, the invention also relates to a fixed-wing aircraft and a method for controlling an airfoil of a winglet.

Provided are computer-implemented methods for autonomously controlling an aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capabilities and folding wings that includes controlling a plurality of thrust producing components of an aircraft to cause the aircraft to rise vertically when wings of the aircraft are in a first folded configuration, where when the wings of the aircraft are in the first folded configuration, a leading edge of each wing is oriented in a vertical direction setting motor controller gains based on the wings of the aircraft being in the first folded configuration, and causing the aircraft to align with a direction of airflow when the wings of the aircraft are in the first folded configuration, and controlling thrust producing components and control surfaces and internal articulation mechanisms of the aircraft to cause the aircraft to transition from folded wing configuration to unfolded wing configuration. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

The invention relates to an air system for an aircraft, that includes air consumers; air sources and a network of ducts and associated control valves controlled by a control unit. The air system is characterized in that: the network of ducts and associated valves includes at least one isolation valve, arranged between an air bleed device and an air duct connecting an air conditioning pack and an auxiliary power unit; the control unit is configured to be able to determine an ideal configuration of the control valves according to the identified requirements of each consumer and a degraded configuration that makes it possible to supply air to predetermined air consumers from the available air sources when the ideal configuration is not attainable.

An active winglet includes a body portion substantially parallel to a wing of an aircraft, as if it were an extension of the wing. The body portion is attachable to an aircraft wing and includes a controllable airflow modification device coupled thereto. By virtue of having a controllable airflow modification device, the winglet is capable of adjusting a control surface of the controllable airflow modification device in response to in-flight conditions, to reduce wing loads, increase range, and / or increase efficiency.

Systems, devices, and methods for an aircraft having a fuselage; a wing extending from both sides of the fuselage; a first pair of motors disposed at a first end of the wing; and a second pair of motors disposed at a second end of the wing; where each motor is angled to provide a component of thrust by a propeller attached thereto that for a desired aircraft movement applies a resulting torque additive to the resulting torque created by rotating the propellers.

An aircraft has a boom, a propulsion assembly coupled to a first end of the boom, and a first wing coupled to a second end of the boom. The propulsion assembly is coupled to the boom by a rotating joint. A second wing is optionally coupled to the rotating joint. The first wing is coupled to the boom by a rotating joint. The first wing is coupled to the rotating joint by a hinge. A vehicle with roll, pitch, and yaw maneuverability able to mirror the aircraft movements may be coupled to the second end of the boom. The vehicle body may be picked up with a vehicle chassis disconnected from the vehicle body. The boom houses an energy source to power the propulsion assembly. A rudder is coupled to the second end of the boom. A paddle is disposed between the propulsion assembly and the boom.

An aircraft wing is disclosed having a fixed wing with a tip, and a wing tip device rotatably mounted on a hinge at the tip of the fixed wing, such that the wing tip device is rotatable about the hinge, and an actuation system for rotating the wing tip device about the hinge. The actuation system includes a motor, at least one geared rotary actuator, a reduction gearbox, a clutch for selectively decoupling rotation of the motor from rotation of the geared rotary actuator, the geared rotary actuator is driveable by the motor and arranged to convert rotary motion into a different rotary motion and is arranged to rotate the wing tip device relative to the tip of the fixed wing. The reduction gearbox is positioned between the clutch and the geared rotary actuator along a drive train between the motor and the geared rotary actuator.

Systems, devices, and methods for an aircraft having a fuselage; a wing extending from both sides of the fuselage; a first pair of motors disposed at a first end of the wing; and a second pair of motors disposed at a second end of the wing; where each motor is angled to provide a component of thrust by a propeller attached thereto that for a desired aircraft movement applies a resulting torque additive to the resulting torque created by rotating the propellers.

The invention discloses a wing end standing vortex lift augmentation device which comprises a device upper surface, a device lower surface, a leading edge surface and a wing profile, a wing upper wing surface extends outwards to form the device upper surface, a wing lower wing surface extends outwards to form the device lower surface, and the extension length of the device upper surface is larger than that of the device lower surface. A distance exists between the upper surface and the lower surface of the device, and wingtips do not coincide with each other; the device upper surface, the device lower surface, the front edge surface and the airfoil profile jointly form a semi-closed cavity, when incoming flow exists in the semi-closed cavity, a wing end standing vortex rotating in the direction away from the central axis of the fuselage is formed in the semi-closed cavity, and the rotating direction of the wing end standing vortex is opposite to that of a wingtip vortex. According to the three-dimensional wing, airflow on the lower wing surface of the wing is prevented from flowing to the upper wing surface of the wing through the wing end standing vortex in the semi-closed cavity, so that the trend that the airflow on the lower wing surface of the wing is reversed upwards can be inhibited under the condition of not depending on physical obstruction, the lift force of the three-dimensional wing is effectively increased, and the induced resistance is reduced.

Fluid systems are described. An example fluid system includes a body and a housing. The body has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first portion, and a second portion attached to the first portion. The second portion is moveable relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position. The housing extends from the first portion to the second portion and is configured to move as the second portion moves relative to the first portion. The housing is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The housing is in the first configuration when the second portion is in the first position and is in the second configuration when the second portion is in the second position. The housing has a first length when in the first configuration and a second length when in the second configuration that is greater than the first length.

An active wing extension includes a body portion substantially parallel to a wing of an aircraft, as if it were an extension of the wing. The body portion is attachable to an aircraft wing and includes multiple controllable airflow modification devices coupled thereto. By virtue of having multiple controllable airflow modification devices, the wing extension is capable of adjusting control surfaces of the multiple controllable airflow modification devices in response to in-flight conditions, to reduce wing loads, improve wing fatigue characteristics, increase range, reduce torsional loads, alleviate flutter, and / or increase efficiency.

A method for reducing aerodynamic loads on an aircraft located on the ground includes moving a wing tip relative to a fixed wing to an on-ground configuration in which the span of the wing is reduced. The wing tip includes an airflow channel, which is in an open configuration in which airflow through the channel between upper and lower surfaces of the wing tip is enabled, when the wing tip is in the on-ground configuration. This has been found to reduce aerodynamic loads on the wing tip and / or parts of the aircraft connected thereto during this phase of the aircraft's use.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are contemplated for electric powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Such are craft are engineered to carry safely carry at least 500 pounds (approx. 227 kg) using a few (e.g., 2-4) rotors, generally variable speed rigid (non-articulated) rotors. It is contemplated that one or more rotors generate a significant amount of lift (e.g., 70%) during rotorborne flight (e.g., vertical takeoff, hover, etc), and tilt to provide forward propulsion during wingborne flight. The rotors preferably employ individual blade control, and are battery powered. The vehicle preferably flies in an autopilot or pilotless mode and has a relatively small (e.g., less than 45′ diameter) footprint.

A wing assembly for an aircraft is disclosed having an actuation assembly configured to move a wing tip device between a flight configuration and a ground configuration. The actuation assembly includes at least two linear actuation devices mounted within the wing assembly. A wing and a wing tip device for the wing assembly, and an aircraft comprising the wing assembly, wing or wing tip, are also disclosed.

A safe, quiet, easy to control, efficient, and compact aircraft configuration is enabled through the combination of multiple vertical lift rotor assemblies, tandem wings, and forward thrust propellers. The vertical lift rotor assemblies, in combination with a front and rear wing, permits a balancing of the center of lift with the center of gravity for both vertical and horizontal flight. This wing and multiple rotor system has the ability to tolerate a relatively large variation of the payload weight for hover, transition, or cruise flight while also providing vertical thrust redundancy. The propulsion system uses multiple lift rotor assemblies and forward thrust propellers of a small enough size to be shielded from potential blade strike and provide increased perceived and real safety to the passengers. Using multiple independent rotor assemblies provides redundancy and the elimination of single point failure modes that can make the vehicle non-operable in flight.

A wing designed to pass through a fluid medium is provided, the wing having a plurality of alternating protrusions and valleys along a trailing edge thereof. The described wing uses the plurality of protrusions and valleys to counteract noise that is a function of wind speed and chord length. In an alternative variant, instead of or in addition to cancelling noise, the plurality of protrusions and valleys are adapted to generate or correct noise such that the noise is generated in a desired frequency band. In this variation, the plurality of protrusions and valleys are configured such that the generated noise is in the desired frequency band based at least on a frequency band that repels various types of animals given a specified local wind speed. In another variation, the plurality of protrusions and valleys are adapted to improve the aerodynamic performance of the wings, whether in the context of separate use or with multiple wings working together within the system.

An aircraft wing is disclosed having a fixed wing with a tip, and a wing tip device rotatably mounted on a hinge at the tip of the fixed wing, such that the wing tip device is rotatable about the hinge, and an actuation system for rotating the wing tip device about the hinge. The actuation system includes a motor, at least one geared rotary actuator, a reduction gearbox, a clutch for selectively decoupling rotation of the motor from rotation of the geared rotary actuator, the geared rotary actuator is driveable by the motor and arranged to convert rotary motion into a different rotary motion and is arranged to rotate the wing tip device relative to the tip of the fixed wing. The clutch is coupled to the geared rotary actuator by a shaft and the shaft is fixed in rotation to a mass disposed radially outwardly from the shaft.

A wing assembly for an aircraft including a fixed wing and a wing tip device rotatable about a joint assembly. The wing assembly is configurable between a flight configuration for use during flight and a ground configuration for use during ground-based operations. The wing assembly includes joint-bordering structure located adjacent the joint assembly, the joint-bordering structure having a rib, an upper cover and a lower cover. The joint assembly includes a moveable panel. The panel includes a first hard stop element, and the joint-bordering structure includes a second hard stop element. The first hard stop element is integrally formed in the panel, and the second hard stop element is integrally formed in one of the rib, the upper cover or the lower cover of the joint-bordering structure. The hard stop elements may be configured to self-align.