2161results about "Propellers" patented technology

A wind energy plant with a nacelle, a rotor, which features at least one rotor blade adjustable in its blade pitch angle, a central control device for controlling the wind energy plant and a control unit disposed in the rotor for controlling the blade pitch angle of the at least one rotor blade, wherein the central control device and the control unit in the rotor can exchange data with each other via a data link, which comprises at least one first sending and receiving device at the nacelle side and at least one second sending and receiving device at the rotor side, wherein a wireless network connection with a safety-oriented communication protocol is provided between the at least one first sending and receiving device and the at least one second sending and receiving device, and that one monitoring- and communication device at a time is associated to the first and / or the second sending and receiving device, which can monitor the function of the sending and receiving device and initiate a predetermined action in the case of an error.

An engine for aeromechanical instability abatement includes a sensor configured to capture data from rotating blades of the engine system, a airflow effector device, and an engine controller. The engine controller is configured to control the airflow effector device according to a nominal schedule, detect, based on a signal from the sensor indicating a vibration amplitude of the rotating blades within a frequency band, an incipient instability condition, in response to the incipient instability condition being present, determine a modified control parameter for at least one of the airflow effector device, and control the airflow effector device according to the modified control parameter, deviating from the nominal schedule.

A land to air vehicle with lower extendable wings and upper extendible wings, a body, a front hood fan, a rear fan and wheels. The wheels include wheel bases, exterior tires circumscribing the wheel bases, and a fan wheel assembly within each wheel base. The wheel assembly includes extendible fans, a rotor outer rim with teeth for holding a stator inner rim, a propeller shroud configured to house a variety of fan blades, at least one fan within the propeller shroud, a hinge fixedly attached to the outer rotor rim and the propeller shroud, a wheel motor platform and a wheel motor. The hinge is structured to allow the propeller shroud with fans to extend distally from the wheel base interior to navigate the land to air vehicle.

A blade pitch detection apparatus for an aircraft having a lower rotor hub assembly and an upper rotor hub assembly, the upper rotor hub assembly including a blade pitch adjustment linkage configured to maintain the rotor blades at a first blade pitch while a rotational velocity of the upper rotor hub assembly is below a threshold and to maintain the rotor blades at a second blade pitch while the rotational velocity is above a threshold. The pitch detection apparatus includes a magnet coupled to a component of the blade pitch adjustment linkage and a sensor coupled to a component of the lower rotor hub assembly and configured to generate a signal in the presence of the magnet. Processing circuitry in communication with the sensor can determine whether the plurality of rotor blades are at the first blade pitch or the second blade pitch based on the signals.

A tilt propeller for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft includes a linked low pitch stop (LLPS). The LLPS serves as a secondary pitch control system that is activated when a primary pitch control system fails. The LLPS may include a pitch rod coupled to a propeller blade yoke, and a mechanical coupling that correlates the tilt angle of the propeller with a pitch angle setting of the LLPS. The pitch rod may be separated by a gap from the mechanical coupling during normal operation. If the primary pitch control fails, the pitch rod is forced into contact with the mechanical coupling to close the gap and form a load-bearing path to control the pitch angle.

The present disclosure is generally related to aircraft having one or more unducted fan propulsors at locations within specific regions relative to an airfoil, such as a wing or horizontal stabilizer. More specifically, the specific regions are located where there is a relatively higher pressure air flow beneath the wings or above a horizontal stabilizer. That higher pressure air flow can be utilized to provide increased thrust from the unducted fan propulsor.

The present disclosure is generally related to aircraft having one or more unducted fan propulsors at locations within specific regions relative to an airfoil, such as a wing or horizontal stabilizer. More specifically, the specific regions are located where there is a relatively higher pressure air flow beneath the wings or above a horizontal stabilizer. That higher pressure air flow can be utilized to provide increased thrust from the unducted fan propulsor.

A rotor system for electrically powered rotorcraft is described, providing the benefits of fast thrust response, depending on rotor inertia. The rotor system includes a rotor hub and two or more rotor blades, and an electric motor driving the rotor hub. The rotor hub includes a mechanism which adapts the collective pitch of the rotor blades in response to the torque applied by the electric motor. When there is significant torque over a threshold, the rotor hub biases the blades to a higher collective pitch, which supports greater thrust, thus avoiding the lag in rotor thrust that would occur through RPM control.

The present disclosure is generally related to aircraft having one or more unducted fan propulsors at locations within specific regions relative to an airfoil, such as a wing or horizontal stabilizer. More specifically, the specific regions are located where there is a relatively higher pressure air flow beneath the wings or above a horizontal stabilizer. That higher pressure air flow can be utilized to provide increased thrust from the unducted fan propulsor.

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.

Systems and methods for controlling a variable-pitch propeller of an aircraft are provided. A method for controlling the variable-pitch propeller includes using a feedback controller, operating the variable-pitch propeller at a current operating condition including a current rotational speed, determining a speed error between the current rotational speed of the variable-pitch propeller and a set point rotational speed for the variable-pitch propeller, determining a gain for the feedback controller based on a power coefficient and an advance ratio of the variable-pitch propeller. Using the feedback controller, a propeller pitch command is determined based on the speed error and using the gain. The pitch of the variable-pitch propeller is adjusted according to the propeller pitch command to reduce the speed error.

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 propeller controller (62) for a variable-pitch propeller (24) of an aircraft (12) is provided. The controller (62) is configured to determine a requested oil flow (WOREQ) for delivery to a hydraulic actuator (40) of the variable-pitch propeller (24) based on a speed error (E) between an actual rotational speed (NP) of the variable-pitch propeller (24) and a set point rotational speed (NPREF) for the variable-pitch propeller (24), determine a requested oil flow (WOREQ) for delivery to the hydraulic actuator (40) based on the speed error (E), determine a trimmed oil leakage rate (WOL) out of the hydraulic actuator (40) by multiplying an estimated oil leakage rate (LEST) out of the hydraulic actuator (40) by a leakage trim multiplier (KLEAK) based on the speed error (E), and combine the trimmed oil leakage rate (WOL) with the requested oil flow (WOREQ) to generate a commanded oil flow (WOCMD). The commanded oil flow (WOCMD) is delivered to the hydraulic actuator (40) to adjust the pitch of the variable-pitch propeller (24).

A system and a method for controlling a propulsor assembly of an electric aircraft. The system may include an electric motor, wherein the electric motor may include a rotor and a stator, a propulsor driven by the electric motor configured to propel an electric aircraft. The propulsor may include a propeller. The propeller may include a blade. The system may include a cyclic control assembly configured to deflect the blade. The cyclic control assembly may include an actuator and a push rod mechanically connected to the actuator and the propulsor. The system may include a flight controller. The flight controller may be configured to receive sensor datum from at least a sensor communicatively connected to the electric aircraft, generate a deflection command as a function of the sensor datum and actuate the cyclic control assembly as a function of the deflection command.

A fan section of an aeronautical propulsion system includes a fan rotor including seventeen blades to twenty blades and having a solidity strictly less than 1.0. The solidity is equal to a ratio between a chord at the blade tip and an inter-blade pitch at the blade tip. The fan section has a hub-tip ratio greater than or equal to 0.22 and less than or equal to 0.32, a pressure ratio greater than or equal to 1.05 and less than or equal to 1.5, and a peripheral speed at the blade tip greater than or equal to 260 m / s and less than or equal to 400 m / s. The pressure ratio and the peripheral speed are measured at cruising speed.

The invention relates to a paddle clamp device which comprises a paddle clamp provided with a pin shaft bin; the two paddle bodies are respectively connected with the paddle clamp, so that the two paddle bodies are symmetrically arranged along the first axis; a torsion angle is formed from the blade tip to the root of the blade body; the fixed seat is provided with a pin shaft hole; the connecting pin shaft penetrates through the pin shaft bin and the pin shaft hole, so that the paddle clamp is rotationally connected with the fixed seat; and the axis of the connecting pin shaft is crossed with the first axis, so that the torsion angle is increased when the paddle body deflects downwards. The blade body can be driven to be automatically corrected in the direction opposite to the deflection direction, the flapping degree is reduced, and the stability in the flight process is improved.

An assembly for an aircraft propulsion system includes an open propulsor rotor and an open guide vane structure. The open propulsor rotor is rotatable about a rotational axis. The open guide vane structure is axially next to and downstream of the open propulsor rotor. The open guide vane structure includes a plurality of open guide vanes arranged circumferentially about the rotational axis. The open guide vanes include a first open guide vane. The first open guide vane includes a camber line, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a leading edge section and a trailing edge section. The first guide vane extends longitudinally along the camber line from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The leading edge section is configured to pivot about a pivot axis. The trailing edge section is configured to move relative to the leading edge section to change a camber of the first open guide vane.

The invention discloses a propeller hub assembly, a propeller and an aircraft, and relates to the technical field of propellers, the propeller hub assembly comprises a mounting seat, a propeller hub and a flapping hinge, the mounting seat is in driving connection with the output end of a power device, the propeller hub is used for mounting blades of the propeller, and the flapping hinge comprises an elastic bearing; and the propeller hub is rotationally connected to the mounting seat through the elastic bearing. According to the technical scheme, the maintenance difficulty and the maintenance cost of the propeller can be reduced.

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.

An electric propulsion system includes a fan rotor assembly having a first fan portion and a second fan portion. A fan cowling defines a first flow passage and a second flow passage. An electric drive mechanism drives the fan rotor assembly. An electric drive cooling system includes a liquid coolant that provides cooling to at least a part of the electric drive mechanism, and a heat exchanger through which the liquid coolant flows is arranged within the second flow passage. The first fan portion provides a first flow of air through the first flow passage to provide at least one of a lifting force or a thrust force to the electric propulsion system, and the second fan portion provides a second flow of air through the second flow passage to provide a flow of cooling air therethrough that is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger.

An electric propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft having a heat exchanger to cool fluids used in an electrical engine, the electric propulsion system comprising at least one electrical engine mechanically connected directly or indirectly to a fuselage of the VTOL aircraft and electrically connected to an electrical power source. The electrical engine may comprise an electrical motor having a stator and a rotor; a gearbox assembly comprising a sun gear; at least one planetary gear; a ring gear; and a planetary carrier. The electric engine may include an inverter assembly comprising a thermal plate and an inverter assembly housing; an end bell assembly that is connected to the thermal plate of the inverter assembly; and a heat exchanger comprising an array of cooling fins and tubes.

A method for controlling a variable-pitch propeller (24) of an aircraft (12) includes using a feedback controller (62, 76), operating the variable-pitch propeller (24) at a current operating condition including a current rotational speed (NPf), determining a speed error (E) between the current rotational speed (NPf) of the variable-pitch propeller (24) and a set point rotational speed (NPref) for the variable-pitch propeller (24), determining a gain (Kp, Kd) for the feedback controller (62, 76) based on a power coefficient (Cp) and an advance ratio (J) of the variable-pitch propeller (24). Using the feedback controller (62, 76), a propeller pitch command (Co) is determined based on the speed error (E) and using the gain (Kp, Kd). The pitch of the variable-pitch propeller (24) is adjusted according to the propeller pitch command (Co) to reduce the speed error (E).

An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This assembly includes a first propulsor rotor, a powerplant and a propulsion system housing. The powerplant is configured to drive rotation of the first propulsor rotor about an axis. The propulsion system housing includes an inner structure and an outer structure with a bypass flowpath radially between the inner structure and the outer structure. The bypass flowpath is downstream of the first propulsor rotor and extends axially along the inner structure and the outer structure within the propulsion system housing. The inner structure extends axially along and circumferentially around the powerplant. The outer structure extends axially along and partially circumferentially about the first propulsor rotor to cover an outer periphery of a first circumferential sector of the first propulsor rotor. A remaining second circumferential sector of the first propulsor rotor is open to an environment outside of the propulsion system housing.

An assembly for an aircraft propulsion system (20) includes a propulsor rotor (38) and a guide vane structure (66). The propulsor rotor (38) is configured to rotate about an axis (22). The guide vane structure (66) includes a plurality of guide vanes (100) arranged circumferentially about the axis (22). The guide vane structure (66) is axially next to and downstream of the propulsor rotor (38). The guide vanes (100) include a first guide vane (100). The first guide vane (100) includes a camber line (108), a leading edge (110), a trailing edge (112), a leading edge section (116) and a trailing edge section (118). The first guide vane (100) extends longitudinally along the camber line (108) from the leading edge (110) to the trailing edge (112). The leading edge section (116) forms the leading edge (110). The trailing edge section (118) forms the trailing edge (112). The leading edge section (116) is configured to move longitudinally along the camber line (108) relative to the trailing edge section (118) to change a camber of the first guide vane (100).

The invention relates to an open type fan component of an open type rotor engine, the open type rotor engine and a noise reduction method. The open-type fan component comprises a stator, a plurality of fan blades and a plurality of fan blades, the rotor comprises rotor blades which are connected to a rotating shaft, and the rotor blades rotate along with the rotation of the rotating shaft; wherein the stator blade is located at the upstream of the rotor blade; the base is connected with the stator fixing force bearing device through the hydraulic executing mechanism. The open type fan component has a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state, the radial position where the radial outer end of the stator blade is located is the first position; and in the second state, the radial position where the radial outer end of the stator blade is located is a second position, and the second position is located on the radial inner side relative to the first position. By the adoption of the fan component, the advantage of low oil consumption of the engine is reserved, and the problem that BPF noise of the engine near an airport is too large is solved.

The hybrid aircraft power plant can have a load, a thermal engine coupled to drive the load via a clutch, and coupled to drive a first lubricant pump, an electric motor coupled to drive the load and a second lubricant pump. In a first mode, the clutch is in an engaged configuration, and the thermal engine drives the load via the clutch and drives the first lubricant pump. In a second mode, in which the clutch is in the disengaged configuration and in which the thermal engine may be inoperative, the electric motor is operated to drive the load and the second lubricant pump.

The invention discloses a vertical take-off and landing aircraft with improved linked wing tilting ducted fan layout, and belongs to the technical field of pneumatic and power systems of vertical take-off and landing aircrafts. The aircraft comprises an improved joined wing structure layout and a tilting ducted fan system integrally designed with the improved joined wing structure layout. The improved joined wing structure layout comprises a front wing, a rear wing, a vertical connecting wing surface, a vertical stabilizer and a fuselage. The front wing is divided into a front wing inner side wing surface and a front wing outer side wing surface by a vertical connecting wing surface, and adopts a sweepback wing belt dihedral structure; two ends of the rear wing are respectively arranged above the front wing through a vertical connecting wing surface, the middle part of the rear wing is arranged above the tail part of the fuselage through a vertical stabilizer, and the rear wing adopts a forward swept wing structure; the tilting ducted fan system comprises a front wing integrated ducted fan flap 7, a rear wing integrated ducted fan lifting control surface 9 and a tail propelling ducted fan 16. The core problems that pitching of a traditional connected wing is out of control, the weight of a tilting structure is large, and the energy efficiency is low are solved.

A flying vehicle includes a first rotor assembly, a second rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly pylon arranged to mount the second rotor assembly to the remainder of the flying vehicle. The first rotor assembly and the second rotor assembly are located so that they are spaced in a longitudinal direction of the flying vehicle and so they are substantially on a vertical plane that is parallel to a vertical plane aligned with a longitudinal axis of the flying vehicle. The first rotor assembly includes a tilt-rotor arranged to tilt between delivery of substantially vertical flight thrust and substantially conventional flight thrust. The second rotor assembly includes a stacked plurality of substantially vertical thrust rotors mounted to the pylon so as to be substantially to the same side of the pylon.

A blade spar for a rotor blade for a rotor of an aircraft or vessel, preferably wherein the rotor is a propeller, the blade spar comprising a laminate structure, the laminate structure comprising a plurality of plies of fibres in a matrix, wherein the blade spar has generally a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal axis extending along a radial direction of the rotor, wherein the blade spar comprises at least a portion that is curved from the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of plies comprises a first ply comprising a plurality of first fibres, wherein an alignment of the first fibres varies along the longitudinal direction to align the first fibres to the curved blade spar.