Electric Rotorcraft Cyclic Control via Limited-Angle Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotorcraft designs, particularly electrically propelled ones, face inefficiencies in cyclic control due to rapid angular acceleration and deceleration of motors, leading to heat loss and reduced efficiency, and often require complex mechanisms with high reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a limited-angle electric motor system that adjusts the pitch of rotor blades through a shared common pitch-angle shaft, utilizing a controller system informed by angular position encoders to provide cyclic control, reducing the number of motors needed and minimizing torque and power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If rapid angular acceleration and deceleration of motors is used for cyclic control, then cyclic control responsiveness is improved, but heat loss increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by separating collective control (overall blade pitch) from cyclic control (individual blade pitch variations). This is achieved through a swashplate mechanism that translates pilot inputs into independent collective and cyclic movements, allowing each function to be optimized separately and reducing unnecessary motor stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a swashplate as an intermediary mechanism between the pilot's control inputs and the rotor blades. The swashplate converts control stick movements into precise blade pitch variations without requiring rapid motor acceleration and deceleration, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining control responsiveness.
2Measurement precision
If complex control mechanisms are used for cyclic control, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The swashplate mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables both collective and cyclic control, provides mechanical advantage for precise control inputs, and acts as a signal transmission medium between the pilot's controls and the rotor blades. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex mechanisms while maintaining high control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The swashplate mechanism automatically translates pilot inputs into the appropriate blade pitch variations without requiring additional complex control systems. The mechanical geometry of the swashplate inherently provides the necessary control precision and coordination, making the system self-regulating and reducing overall device complexity.
3Force
If multiple motors are used for cyclic control, then control authority is improved, but power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple actuators into a single swashplate mechanism that controls all rotor blades through a common structure. This consolidation maintains full control authority over all blades while significantly reducing the total power requirements compared to using individual motors for each blade or blade group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical motor actuation with a mechanically-driven swashplate system. The swashplate uses mechanical leverage and geometric transformation to amplify pilot control inputs, providing sufficient control authority without the high power demands of multiple electric motors. This mechanical substitution is particularly effective in applications where power weight and energy consumption are critical concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved electrically powered rotorcraft is of the type having a rotor including a rotor hub and a pair of rotor blades mounted to the rotor hub on opposite sides thereof, the rotor being rotatably mounted on a primary drive shaft, and a rotary electric motor coupled to the drive shaft. In this rotorcraft, the improvement includes a common pitch-angle shaft coupled to each of the blades; a limited-angle electric motor, mechanically coupled to the common pitch-angle shaft, and configured to cause rotation of the common pitch angle shaft and therefore adjustment of pitch of the pair of rotor blades; and a controller system in communication with the limited-angle electric motor, configured to provide cyclic control of pitch of the pair of rotor blades.