Helicopter Pivotable Fan Anti-Torque Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helicopter anti-torque systems face inefficiencies as forward speed reduces the perpendicular thrust requirement, leading to suboptimal power utilization and limited attitude control during flight modes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pivotable fans mounted on a tail boom, allowing fan axes to change orientation from horizontal to upright, enabling thrust redirection for pitch and roll control, and utilizing electrically-driven fans for independent thrust vector management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tail rotors are driven at high angular velocities to provide adequate aerodynamic responses, then anti-torque performance is improved, but power utilization becomes suboptimal when forward speed reduces the perpendicular thrust requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The fan assembly is made dynamically reconfigurable through a pivot mechanism that allows the fan axis to change orientation between horizontal (for anti-torque) and vertical/upright (for pitch and roll control). This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize power utilization across different flight conditions by redirecting thrust vectors according to actual aircraft needs
Solution Approach 2:
The fan assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: providing anti-torque when oriented horizontally, and enabling pitch and roll control when oriented vertically. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address multiple control requirements, improving overall power utilization efficiency
2Reliability
If tail rotors are oriented with thrust vector perpendicular to longitudinal axis to provide restoring moment, then anti-torque control is improved, but attitude control capability (pitch and roll) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism enables the fan assembly to dynamically change its thrust vector orientation between horizontal and vertical positions, allowing the system to adapt between providing anti-torque control and enabling pitch/roll attitude control based on flight conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-plane (horizontal) thrust vector control to three-dimensional thrust vector control by enabling vertical orientation of the fan axis, thereby adding pitch and roll control dimensions to the traditional yaw control function
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
This solution optimizes power utilization by redirecting thrust during reduced anti-torque requirements, enhancing attitude control and overall aircraft performance by allowing for pitch and roll adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
having fan blades rotatable about a fan axis... different fans of the plurality of fans operable to generate thrust to provide anti-torque to the helicopter
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-torque assembly for a helicopter includes a plurality of fans pivotably mountable to a tail boom. The fans have fan blades rotatable about a fan axis. One or more of the fans is pivotable relative to the tail boom to a first configuration. The fan axes in the first configuration have an upright orientation and the fans are operable to one or both of pitch and roll the helicopter. Different fans are operable to generate thrust to provide anti-torque to the helicopter. A method of providing anti-torque and method of changing an attitude of a helicopter are also provided.