Aircraft Rotor Inductive Power Transmission Without Slip-Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotor systems for hovering aircraft, such as helicopters, face challenges in efficiently transmitting electric power to rotating components like the mast, hub, and blades, particularly in anti-torque tail rotors, which are prone to wear and require complex and costly slip-rings for power transmission, and lack effective monitoring of operational status.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electric generator using a magnetic field source and an electric circuit coupled with an epicyclic gear train, which induces electromotive force and current in the rotor components, allowing for de-icing or anti-icing systems and monitoring through sensors to detect back electromotive force, enabling efficient power transmission and operational status monitoring without the need for slip-rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If slip-rings are used to transmit electric power to rotating components, then electric power can be supplied to the rotor, but the system becomes complex to manufacture and maintain and is easily subjected to wear effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the slip-ring component from the system by using electromagnetic induction to generate electricity directly in the rotating components. The magnetic field source and electric circuit are positioned to induce current without mechanical contact, eliminating the wear-prone slip-ring entirely while maintaining power transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical slip-ring contact system with an electromagnetic field-based power transmission system. By using a magnetic field source that rotates with the rotor and induces electromotive force in stationary electric circuits, the system substitutes mechanical electrical contact with field-based energy transfer, eliminating wear and improving reliability
2Use of energy by moving object
If slip-rings are used to transmit electric power to rotating components, then electric power can be supplied to the rotor, but the manufacturing and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex slip-ring assembly from the rotor system. Instead, it uses a magnetic field source integrated with the rotating components and stationary electric circuits positioned to receive induced electromotive force, significantly simplifying both manufacturing and maintenance while achieving the same power transmission function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanically complex slip-ring system with a simpler electromagnetic induction system. The magnetic field source and stationary electric circuits create a contactless power transfer mechanism that reduces manufacturing steps and eliminates maintenance requirements associated with mechanical contact and wear
3Use of energy by moving object
If slip-rings are used in anti-torque tail rotors, then electric power can be supplied, but the wear effect is exacerbated due to higher rotation speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical slip-ring system with an electromagnetic induction system specifically suited for high-speed rotation. The magnetic field source rotates with the tail rotor components while stationary electric circuits receive induced electromotive force, eliminating mechanical contact and wear effects that are exacerbated by high rotation speeds
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 provides a reliable, low-cost, and efficient method for powering rotor components, reducing wear and maintenance needs, while enabling real-time monitoring of operational status to ensure safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a support element (36), which supports a source (30) of magnetic field Bs and is driven in rotation about axis A with a rotational speed w1; and an electric circuit (32), which is operatively connected to mast (11) and is driven in rotation at a rotational speed w2 different from first rotational speed w1, electric circuit 32 being electromagnetically coupled with source 30, so that an electromotive force emfR is magnetically induced
Implementation Method 2
a sensor (58), which is adapted to detect a quantity associated to the back electromotive force bemfC induced on support element 36 and associated to current iR flowing on electric circuit 32
Implementation Method 3
the electric power can be used for activating a de-icing or anti-icing system formed by a plurality of electric conductors embedded in the blades and adapted to heat the relative blades by Joule effect
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a rotor for an aircraft capable of hovering, comprising: a stator; a rotatable element, which is rotatable about an axis with respect to stator; a blade, which is connected with element; a support element, which supports a source of a magnetic field and is either stationary or driven in rotation at a first rotational speed; and a first electric circuit, which is angularly integral with element and can be driven in rotation at a second rotational speed different from first rotational speed; first electric circuit being electromagnetically coupled with source so that an electromotive force is magnetically induced in first electric circuit and an first electric current flows in first electric circuit; rotor further comprises a second electric circuit which is either stationary or driven in rotation at a first rotational speed, and a sensor generating a signal associated to a back electromotive force induced on second electric circuit.