Torque-Compensated Gyroplane Rotor for Vertical Flight

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional helicopters are mechanically complex, expensive, and demanding for pilots, while gyroplanes are simpler but limited in vertical flight capabilities, lacking the ability for efficient vertical takeoff and hovering with reduced pilot workload and safety.

Innovation Solution

A compact personal aircraft based on a gyroplane configuration with a torque-compensated main rotor system using coaxial counter-rotating rotors or electronically controlled thrusters, enabling vertical takeoff and landing with a hybrid power system for efficient autorotation during cruise flight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional helicopters use a fixed driven main rotor with collective and cyclic controls to achieve vertical takeoff and hovering, then vertical flight capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical flight capabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the rotor system into two separate coaxial rotors that rotate in opposite directions. Each rotor is independently controlled, allowing one rotor to provide lift while the other compensates for torque. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex tail rotor mechanisms and enables vertical flight without the mechanical complexity of conventional helicopters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of lift generation and torque compensation into a single integrated coaxial rotor system. By combining two counter-rotating rotors on the same axis, the system achieves both vertical lift capability and torque balance without requiring separate tail rotor assemblies or complex mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional helicopters use mechanically-coupled variable-pitch tail rotor for torque compensation, then torque control is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque compensationVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a second rotor rotating in the opposite direction to counterbalance the torque produced by the first rotor. This counter-rotating mechanism naturally compensates for torque effects without requiring mechanically-coupled variable-pitch tail rotors or complex transmission systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The coaxial counter-rotating rotor system serves multiple functions simultaneously: generating vertical lift, compensating for torque, and providing directional control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated torque compensation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If gyroplanes use a freely turning main rotor in autorotation for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but vertical takeoff and hovering capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical simplicityVSAvoidvertical flight capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the previously static rotor system dynamic by enabling independent control of each rotor's pitch and rotation speed. This allows the rotors to transition between autorotation and powered flight modes, enabling vertical takeoff and hovering while maintaining the mechanical simplicity of gyroplane architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a safer, simpler, and less expensive aircraft with reduced pilot demands, achieving efficient vertical takeoff and hovering while maintaining the operational simplicity of gyroplanes, with enhanced safety features and reduced mechanical complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a torque-compensated main rotor system which can be driven during flight to allow Vertical TakeOff, Landing and Hovering (VTOLH) flight operations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAutorotation:

Implementation Method 2

a freely turning main rotor operating in autorotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLift:

Implementation Method 3

Torque compensation is via a coaxial counter-rotating (CACR) rotor system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque compensation: Torque

Data Source

PatentUS11433093B2Compact gyroplane employing torque compensated main rotor and hybrid power train

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 GEORGE JOHN STEVENS

AI summary

A gyroplane employing torque compensated main rotor and hybrid power train is disclosed. The invention incorporates a torque-compensated main rotor system with a common Collective pitch control, which can be driven transiently during flight to allow Vertical Take-Off, Landing and Hovering (VTOLH) flight operations. Torque compensation is via a coaxial counter-rotating (CACR) rotor system, or alternatively using a single rotor in conjunction with one or more electronically-controlled, fixed-pitch, thruster motors. The use of electric motors for lift and torque compensation facilitates electronic and potentially autonomous control of all phases of vertical flight.