Rotorcraft Blade Collision Warning System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rotorcraft rotor blades have a high potential to collide with the airframe during ground operations such as taxiing and takeoffs, posing a significant risk that existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A rotor blade collision warning system that includes sensors providing operating parameters and a controller module to estimate the total rotor flapping value relative to the rotor shaft, comparing it to a flapping limit, and sending a warning signal to alert crew members of potential collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rotorcraft performs ground operations such as taxiing and takeoffs, then operational capability is improved, but risk of rotor blade collision with airframe increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational capabilityVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of total rotor flapping before collision occurs by estimating flapping values based on current operating conditions and comparing them against predetermined limits. This advance calculation allows the crew to take corrective action before the actual collision happens during ground operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback to the crew by sending warning signals when calculated flapping values exceed safe limits. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and adjustment of rotorcraft operations to prevent blade collision while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If rotor blade flapping is monitored and restricted to prevent collision, then safety is improved, but flight control flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidflight control flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors changes in operating parameters such as rotor azimuth and calculates total rotor flapping based on these parameter variations. By tracking parameter changes rather than imposing fixed restrictions, the system maintains safety while allowing flexible flight control within calculated safe operating envelopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The warning system dynamically adjusts safety monitoring based on current operating conditions rather than applying static restrictions. The system calculates flapping limits in real-time based on actual rotorcraft state, enabling adaptive safety management that preserves flight control flexibility while preventing collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11345483B2Rotorcraft-mounted rotor blade collision warning system and method for alerting a rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of a rotor blade

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method is provided for alerting a rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of a rotor blade of the rotorcraft having a rotor shaft and a rotor azimuth. The method comprises estimating a total rotor flapping value associated with the rotor blade during an operating condition of the rotorcraft. The estimated total rotor flapping value is relative to the rotor shaft as a function of the rotor azimuth. The method also comprises comparing the estimated total rotor flapping value to a rotor flapping limit value during the operating condition of the rotorcraft. The method further comprises sending a warning signal to a warning device when the estimated total rotor flapping value lies outside of the rotor flapping limit value to alert the rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of the rotor blade of the rotorcraft.