Rotor Blade Fluid Flow Altering Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotor blade systems face challenges in optimizing fluid flow management during transitions between hover and forward flight, particularly in efficiently altering fluid flow over the blades to enhance performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a moveable fluid flow altering surface on the rotor blades, enabled by an expandable member that changes positions between two states, using sensors and controllers to adjust its position based on the blade's angular position, and utilizing a flexible material capable of expanding and contracting to affect airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fixed flap is attached to the trailing edge of the rotor blade, then the aerodynamic performance is improved for a specific flight condition, but the adaptability to different flight conditions (hover and forward flight) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic performanceVSAvoidadaptability to different flight conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flap is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to change position dynamically. The expandable member enables the flap to transition between retracted and extended positions, adapting the aerodynamic characteristics to match different flight conditions such as hover and forward flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the flap is varied to change aerodynamic parameters. By adjusting the flap position through the expandable member, the system optimizes lift and drag characteristics for different flight regimes, improving overall aerodynamic performance across varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a movable flap is implemented to adapt to different flight conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different flight conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An expandable member (pneumatic or hydraulic actuator) is used to move the flap between positions. This provides a compact and efficient mechanism for achieving flap movement without complex mechanical linkages, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable member utilizes flexible materials that can expand and contract to drive flap movement. This flexible membrane approach simplifies the actuation mechanism compared to rigid mechanical systems, reducing complexity while enabling adaptive flap positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If an expandable member is used to move the fluid flow altering surface, then the ease of operation is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidweight of the rotor blade

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable member uses pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to move the flap, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical actuators, motors, and linkages. This lightweight actuation system improves ease of operation while minimizing weight increase compared to traditional mechanical actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable member employs thin flexible membranes that can expand and contract with minimal mass. This approach provides effective flap actuation with significantly reduced weight compared to rigid mechanical systems, maintaining ease of operation while minimizing impact on rotor blade weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 improves fluid flow management by dynamically altering the aerodynamic characteristics of the rotor blades, enhancing performance during flight transitions and maintaining efficiency across different flight speeds.

Implementation Method 1

an expandable member, wherein the expandable member has a first volume when the fluid flow altering surface is in the first position and the expandable member has a second volume when the fluid flow altering surface is in the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion and contraction:

Data Source

PatentUS11618559B2Rotor blade system

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 LEONARDO UK LTD

AI summary

A rotor blade system having a plurality of rotor blades, wherein at least one of the rotor blades includes an outer surface having generally opposing first and second surfaces, the rotor blade including a fluid flow altering surface positioned relative to one of the first or second surfaces which is moveable between first and second positions, wherein movement of the fluid flow altering surface is effected by an expandable member.