Ducted fan assembly and aircraft

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ducted fan arrangement (10-1; 10-2) comprising: a ducted fan (1) with a flow housing (1.1) defining a flow channel (1.2), and with a fan (1.3) arranged within the flow channel (1.2), and a cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) coupled to the ducted fan (1) via a mechanical connection (3-t, 3-b; 3) such that the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) can be moved between a cover position, in which an inflow cross-section (1.2.1) and / or an outflow cross-section (1.2.2) of the flow channel (1.2) is at least partially covered by the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2), and a release position, in which the inflow cross-section (1.2.1) and / or the outflow cross-section (1.2.2) of the flow channel (1.2) is not covered by the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2), can be moved, wherein the mechanical connection (3-t, 3-b; 3) is a rigid coupling member (3-t.1, 3-b.1; 3.1) and an articulated coupling member (3-t.2, 3-b.2; 3.2). The present invention also relates to an aircraft (100), wherein a ducted fan arrangement (10-1; 10-2) according to the present invention is arranged on a wing (11) such that the flow channel (1.2) extends vertically through the wing (11).

Description

The present invention relates to a ducted blower arrangement, which comprises: a ducted blower having a flow housing which defines a flow channel, and having a blower which is arranged within the flow channel, and a cover element which is coupled to the ducted blower via a mechanical connection in such a way that the cover element can be moved between a covering position in which an inflow cross section and / or an outflow cross section of the flow channel is at least partially covered by the cover element and a release position in which the inflow cross section and / or the outflow cross section of the flow channel is not covered by the cover element. The present invention also relates to an aircraft having such a ducted fan arrangement.An aircraft with a ducted fan arrangement of the type described at the beginning is known, for example, from US 2017 / 0197711 A1, wherein the mechanical connection is relatively complex and has a plurality of displaceably mounted components.It is an object of the present invention to provide an aircraft with a ducted fan arrangement of the type mentioned at the beginning which is relatively simple to install and maintain.According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a ducted fan arrangement having the features of claim 1 and by an aircraft having the features of claim 9.The ducted blower assembly according to the present invention includes a ducted blower forming a flow housing defining a flow channel and a blower disposed within the flow channel. Such ducted fans are sufficiently known in the prior art and are also referred to as ducted propellers, ducted propellers or ducted rotors. The flow housing is also referred to as a duct or casing and forms an aerodynamic ring, within which the fan is arranged.The flow housing is preferably formed in one piece, but can also have a plurality of housing parts which are fastened to one another. The flow channel preferably has a circular cylindrical shape, wherein the flow channel can widen in a funnel-shaped manner at its ends, i.e. at its inflow region and its outflow region. The blower is usually arranged concentrically within the flow channel, i.e. arranged such that an axis of rotation of the blower lies on a central axis of the flow channel. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades, typically attached to a central fan hub, the fan hub typically being covered by a fan hub cover to optimize airflow. The fan hub cover may be fixed or rotatable with the propeller.The ducted blower arrangement according to the present invention further comprises a cover element which is coupled to the ducted blower via a mechanical connection in such a way that the cover element can be moved between a covering position in which an inflow cross section and / or an outflow cross section of the flow duct is at least partially covered by the cover element and a release position in which the inflow cross section and / or the outflow cross section of the flow duct is not covered by the cover element.The cover element is preferably formed in one piece, but can also consist of several parts which are fastened to one another. The cover element is designed such that, when positioned in the covering position, it covers a substantial part of the inflow cross section and / or of the outflow cross section and, when positioned in the release position, it substantially completely releases the inflow cross section and / or the outflow cross section.The mechanical connection has a plurality of rigid coupling elements which are articulated and articulated in a defined manner in order to achieve a defined movement of the covering element between the covering position and the release position. The coupling elements can in principle have any desired shape, but typically have a straight, elongate shape. The coupling elements can be, for example, a rod, a rod or a plate. The coupling elements are preferably connected via relatively simple hinges, but can also be connected via more complex joints, such as a ball joint.According to the present invention, the mechanical connection comprises at least one rigid coupling member and at least one articulated coupling member. The rigid coupling member preferably comprises a single coupling element of the type described above, but may also comprise a plurality of rigid elements which are fastened to one another. In any case, the rigid coupling member is a rigid unit which has neither a hinge nor a flexible part. The articulated coupling member preferably has exactly two coupling elements of the type described above, which are connected via a simple hinge, but can also have more than two coupling elements of the type described above or other rigid elements or another type of hinge. In any case, the articulated coupling member comprises at least two rigid elements connected to each other by at least one articulation.The mechanical connection according to the present invention makes it possible to realize a type of lateral displacement movement of the cover element, which is often advantageous for aerodynamic reasons without any displaceably mounted components having to be provided for this purpose. This enables the implementation of a ducted blower arrangement which is relatively simple to install and maintain, and thus the implementation of an aircraft with such a ducted blower arrangement which is relatively simple to install and maintain.In a preferred embodiment, the rigid coupling member and the articulated coupling member are each articulated to the ducted blower and to the cover element, i.e. the rigid coupling member and the articulated coupling member are each connected via a hinge to the ducted blower and via a hinge to the cover element. This enables the implementation of a ducted blower arrangement which is particularly simple to install and maintain. Preferably, the rigid coupling member and the articulated coupling member are each directly connected to the ducted blower and directly to the cover element.Preferably, the rigid coupling member and the articulated coupling member are each articulated on the ducted blower and on the cover element in such a way that hinges are fixed in place with respect to the ducted blower or the cover element, that is to say the positions of the joints are fixed on the ducted blower or on the cover element.In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical connection comprises two rigid coupling members and two articulated coupling members arranged on opposite sides of the cover element, wherein a rigid coupling member and an articulated coupling member are arranged on each of the opposite sides of the cover element. This enables a stable and tilt-proof movement of the cover element.Preferably, the cover element completely covers the inflow cross section and / or the outflow cross section of the flow channel when it is positioned in the covering position, i.e. the cover element has a diameter which is equal to or greater than a diameter of the inflow cross section and / or of the outflow cross section of the flow channel.In a preferred embodiment, the ducted blower arrangement has two cover elements, each of which is coupled to the ducted blower via a mechanical connection according to the present invention, that is to say via a mechanical connection which has at least one rigid coupling member and at least one articulated coupling member, wherein one of the two cover elements is arranged on an inflow side of the ducted blower and is designed such that it covers the inflow cross section of the flow duct at least partially, preferably completely, when it is positioned in the covering position, and wherein the other of the two cover elements is arranged on an outflow side of the ducted blower and is designed such that it covers the outflow cross section of the flow duct at least partially, preferably completely, when it is positioned in the covering position. The two cover elements are preferably substantially plate-shaped, more preferably substantially plate-shaped, i.e. plate-shaped with circular cross-section. Preferably, the two cover elements and / or the mechanical connections of the two cover elements are mechanically coupled, so that the two cover elements can be moved simultaneously.Preferably, the ducted blower comprises an actuator which is mechanically coupled to each of the two cover elements or to the respective mechanical connection and is designed for simultaneously moving the two cover elements. The actuator may be any type of actuator, for example an electric motor, an electromagnetic actuator, a hydraulic actuator or a pneumatic actuator, and may be configured for any type of actuation, for example linear actuation or rotary actuation.In an alternative preferred embodiment, the cover element extends from the inflow side of the ducted fan to the outflow side of the ducted fan and covers the inflow cross section and the outflow cross section of the flow duct at least partially when it is positioned in the covering position.The aircraft according to the present invention is preferably suitable for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and comprises a ducted blower arrangement according to the present invention as described above, wherein the ducted blower arrangement is arranged on a wing of the aircraft such that the flow duct extends vertically through the wing such that vertical thrust can be generated by the ducted blower. For the reasons described above, the ducted fan assembly according to the invention enables the implementation of an aircraft which is relatively simple to assemble and maintain.In a preferred embodiment, the aircraft comprises a ducted fan arrangement having a cover element which, when positioned in the covering position, at least partially covers both the inflow cross section and the outflow cross section of the flow duct, wherein the cover element is provided with a type of U-shaped cross section and extends from an upper side of the wing around a front edge of the wing to an underside of the wing. Preferably, the cover element is aerodynamically optimized and shaped according to the wing such that the cover element, when positioned in the covering position, abuts the wing.In an alternative preferred embodiment, the cover element of the ducted blower arrangement is substantially plate-shaped, preferably substantially disk-shaped, and the mechanical connection is formed such that the cover element is aligned substantially parallel to a surface of the blade during the entire movement of the cover element between the cover position and the release position. As a result, the mechanical load on the cover element and the mechanical connection as well as the air resistance caused by the cover element during the movement of the cover element can be minimized.Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a portion of an aircraft according to the invention, FIG. 2 schematically shows a plan view of a ducted fan arrangement according to the present invention of the aircraft from FIG. 1 with cover elements arranged in a release position, FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross section of the ducted fan arrangement from FIG. 2, but without a fan, FIG. 4 shows the ducted blower arrangement shown in FIG. 3, but with cover elements arranged in a covering position, FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to that of FIGS. 3 and 4 of an alternative ducted fan arrangement according to the present invention for the aircraft of FIG. 1, wherein cover elements are arranged in a release position, and FIG. 6 shows the ducted blower arrangement shown in FIG. 5, but with cover elements arranged in a covering position.Figure 1 illustrates a portion of an aircraft 100 according to the invention comprising a plurality of substantially identical ducted fan assemblies 10-1 according to the invention arranged in a wing 11 of the aircraft 100.FIGS. 2-4 illustrate various views of one of the ducted fan assemblies 10- 1 of the aircraft 100.The ducted fan arrangements 10- 1 each have a ducted fan 1 with a flow housing 1.1, which defines a flow duct 1.2 extending vertically through the blade 11, and with a fan 1.3 rotatably arranged within the flow duct 1.2, wherein the fan 1.3 is not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for better understanding.The blower 1.3 has a plurality of blower blades 1.3.1 and a blower hub cover 1.3.2.The ducted blower arrangements 10- 1 further comprise an upper-side cover element 2- tarranged on an upper side of the blade 11 and coupled to the ducted blower 1 via an upper-side mechanical connection 3- t, and a lower-side cover element 2- barranged on a lower side of the blade 11 and coupled to the ducted blower 1 via a lower-side mechanical connection 3- b, wherein the upper-side cover element 2- tand the lower-side cover element 2- bare both substantially disk-shaped.As shown in FIG. 2 for the upper side mechanical connection 3- t, the upper side mechanical connection 3- tand the lower side mechanical connection 3- brespectively include coupling members disposed on opposite sides of the upper side cover member 2- tand the lower side cover member 2- b, the opposite sides opposing each other in a transverse direction Y of the aircraft 100 that is perpendicular to a flight direction X of the aircraft 100.As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for one of the opposite sides, the upper-side mechanical connection 3- tand the lower-side mechanical connection 3- beach have a rigid coupling member 3- t.1, 3- b.1and an articulated coupling member 3- t.2, 3- b.2per opposite side, wherein the upper-side mechanical connection 3- tand the lower-side mechanical connection 3- bare each formed substantially symmetrically with respect to the two opposite sides.The rigid coupling members 3- t.1, 3- b.1 and the articulated coupling members 3- t.2, 3- b.2 are each articulated to a carrier element 1.4 of the duct blower 1, which is fastened within the flow channel 1.2, and to the upper-side cover element 2- tor to the lower-side cover element 2- bvia hinges 4, wherein the respective hinges 4 are each stationary with respect to the carrier element 1.4, the upper-side cover element 2- tor the lower-side cover element 2- b.The articulated coupling members 3- t.2, 3- b.2 each have two rigid coupling elements 3- t.2.1, 3- t.2.2, 3- b.2.1, 3- b.2.2, which are articulated via an articulation 3- t.2.3, 3- b.2.3.The upper-side cover element 2- tand the upper-side mechanical connection 3- tare configured such that the upper-side cover element 2- tcan be moved between a release position in which an inflow cross section 1.2.1 of the flow channel 1.2 is not covered by the upper-side cover element 2- t, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a covering position in which the inflow cross section 1.2.1 of the flow channel 1.2 is completely covered by the upper-side cover element 2- t, as illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the upper-side cover element 2- tis moved substantially parallel to the flight direction X of the aircraft 100 and is aligned substantially parallel to an upper-side surface 11.1 of the wing 11 during the entire movement.The lower-side cover element 2- band the lower-side mechanical connection 3- bare configured such that the lower-side cover element 2- bcan be moved between a release position in which an outflow cross section 1.2.2 of the flow channel 1.2 is not covered by the lower-side cover element 2- bas illustrated in FIG. 3 and a covering position in which the outflow cross section 1.2.2 of the flow channel 1.2 is completely covered by the lower-side cover element 2- bas illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the lower-side cover element 2- bis moved substantially parallel to the flight direction X of the aircraft 100 and is aligned substantially parallel to a lower-side surface 11.2 of the wing 11 during the entire movement.The ducted blower arrangements 10- 1 further comprise an actuator 5 coupled to the upper-side mechanical connection 3- tand to the lower-side mechanical connection 3- band configured to actuate the upper-side mechanical connection 3- tand the lower-side mechanical connection 3- bsuch that the upper-side cover element 2- tand the lower-side cover element 2- bare simultaneously moved between the respective cover position and the respective release position.FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate various views of an alternative ducted fan assembly 10- 2 according to the invention for the aircraft 100, wherein the reference numerals of FIGS. 1 to 4 are used for features that are known in an identical or similar manner from the ducted fan assembly 10- 1.The ducted blower arrangement 10- 2 differs from the ducted blower arrangement 10- 1 in that the ducted blower arrangement 10- 2 has only a single cover element 2 and thus only a single mechanical connection 2.The cover element 2 has a substantially U-shaped cross section and extends from an upper side 11.3 of the wing 11 around a front edge 11.4 of the wing 11 to a lower side 11.5 of the wing 11.The cover element 2 is designed such that it does not cover the inflow cross section 1.2.1 or the outflow cross section 1.2.2 of the flow channel 1.2 when it is positioned in the release position, as shown in FIG. 5, and that it partially covers the inflow cross section 1.2.1 and the outflow cross section 1.2.2 of the flow channel 1.2 when it is positioned in the cover position, as shown in FIG. 6.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedUS 2017 / 0197711 A1

[0002]

Claims

A ducted blower arrangement (10-1; 10-2), comprising: a ducted blower (1) having a flow housing (1.1) defining a flow channel (1.2), and having a blower (1.3) arranged within the flow channel (1.2), and a cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) coupled to the ducted blower (1) via a mechanical connection (3-t, 3-b; 3) in such a way that the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) is at least partially connected to the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) between a covering position in which an inflow cross section (1.2.1) and / or an outflow cross section (1.2.2) of the flow channel (1.2) is at least partially connected by the cover element (2-t, 2-b; The device according to the invention is also provided in a movable manner, for example, in a closed position, in which the inflow cross section (1.2.1) and / or the outflow cross section (1.2.2) of the flow channel (1.2) is not covered by the covering element (2-t, 2-b; 2), and a release position, in which the mechanical connection (3-t, 3-b; 3) has a rigid coupling member (3-t.1, 3-b.1; 3.1) and an articulated coupling member (3-t.2, 3-b.2; 3.2).The ducted blower assembly (10-1; 10-2) according to claim 1, wherein the rigid coupling member (3-t.1, 3-b.1; 3.1) and the articulated coupling member (3-t.2, 3-b.2; 3.2) are respectively articulated to the ducted blower (1) and to the cover member (2-t, 2-b; 2).Ducted fan arrangement (10-1; 10-2) according to claim 2, wherein the rigid coupling member (3-t.1, 3-b.1; 3.1) and the articulated coupling member (3-t.2, 3-b.2; 3.2) are each articulated to the ducted fan (1) and to the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) such that hinges (4) are each stationary with respect to the ducted fan (1) and the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2), respectively.Ducted fan arrangement (10-1; 10-2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical connection (3-t, 3-b; 3) comprises two rigid coupling members (3-t.1, 3-b.1; 3.1) and two articulated coupling members (3-t.2, 3-b.2; 3.2) arranged on opposite sides of the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2), wherein on each of the opposite sides of the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) a rigid coupling member (3-t.1, 3-b.1; 3.1) and an articulated coupling member (3-t.2, 3-b.2; 3.2) are arranged.Ducted fan arrangement (10-1; 10-2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (2-t, 2-b; 2) completely covers the inflow cross section (1.2.1) and / or the outflow cross section (1.2.2) of the flow duct (1.2) when it is positioned in the covering position.Ducted fan arrangement (10-1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two cover elements (2-t, 2-b), each of which is coupled to the ducted fan (1) via a mechanical connection (3-t, 3-b) according to claim 1, wherein one cover element (3-t) is formed such that it at least partially covers the inflow cross section (1.2.1) of the flow duct (1.2) when it is positioned in the covering position, and the other cover element (3-b) is formed such that it at least partially covers the outflow cross section (1.2.2) of the flow duct (1.2) when it is positioned in the covering position.The ducted blower assembly (10-1) according to claim 6, comprising an actuator (5) configured to move the two cover members (3-t, 3-b) simultaneously.Ducted fan arrangement (10-2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (3) at least partially covers the inflow cross section (1.2.1) and / or the outflow cross section (1.2.2) of the flow duct (1.2) when it is positioned in the covering position.Aircraft (100), characterized in that the ducted fan arrangement (10-1; 10-2) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged on a wing (11) in such a way that the flow duct (1.2) extends vertically through the wing (11).The aircraft (100) of claim 9, comprising a ducted fan assembly (10-2) of claim 8, wherein the cover element (2) extends from a top side (11.3) of the wing (11) around a leading edge (11.4) of the wing (11) to a bottom side (11.5) of the wing (11).Aircraft (100) according to claim 9, wherein the cover element (2-t, 2-b) is substantially plate-shaped, and wherein the mechanical connection (3-t, 3-b) is formed such that the cover element (2-t, 2-b) is aligned substantially parallel to a surface (11.1, 11.2) of the wing (11) during the entire movement of the cover element (2-t, 2-b) between the cover position and the release position.

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