Swashplateless Coaxial Rotor with Individual Blade Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional swashplate systems in rotary wing aircrafts are large, heavy, complex, and prone to failure, requiring frequent maintenance and having higher failure rates due to mechanical and hydraulic components.

Innovation Solution

A dual, contra-rotating main rotor system with individual blade control systems (IBCS) that adjust the pitch of each blade independently, using slip rings to transmit electrical power and control signals, eliminating the need for a swashplate and incorporating redundant components for reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a swashplate system is used for blade pitch control, then collective and cyclic control can be achieved, but the system becomes large, heavy, and complex with higher failure rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade pitch control capabilityVSAvoidswashplate system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the traditional swashplate system into multiple independent pitch control mechanisms, one for each blade. Each mechanism independently controls the pitch of its associated blade, eliminating the need for a complex interconnected swashplate assembly with multiple rings and linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical swashplate system with an electrical control system. Electric motors drive the pitch control mechanisms, and electrical signals transmitted through slip rings replace the mechanical linkages and hydraulic systems, significantly reducing mechanical complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a swashplate system is used for blade pitch control, then pitch control can be achieved, but the system becomes large and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch control capabilityVSAvoidrotor system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the heavy swashplate assembly from the rotor system. By removing this substantial mechanical component and replacing it with lighter electric motors and control mechanisms, the overall weight of the rotor system is significantly reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes heavy mechanical components with lighter electrical systems. Electric motors and control electronics replace the massive swashplate, bearings, and mechanical linkages, reducing the weight of moving parts while maintaining pitch control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If mechanical and hydraulic systems are used in the swashplate, then pitch control can be achieved, but failure rates increase and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitch control capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical and hydraulic systems with electrical systems. Electric motors with electronic control replace hydraulic actuators and mechanical linkages, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid, seals, and complex mechanical assemblies that are prone to failure and require maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical control system with individual pitch control mechanisms allows for easier monitoring and maintenance. The system can detect and respond to individual blade conditions, and components can be more easily accessed and replaced compared to the integrated swashplate system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration reduces the aircraft's weight and drag, improves efficiency, and enables better stability and health monitoring of the rotors, while providing redundancy for increased reliability and reduced maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

At least one slip ring is configured to transmit electrical power and/or a control signal to the at least one IBCS

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9248909B2Swashplateless coaxial rotary wing aircraft

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP

AI summary

A main rotor system of an aircraft is provided including a first rotor coupled to a transmission and configured to rotate about an axis in a first direction. A second rotor is similarly coupled to the transmission and is configured to rotate about the axis in a second direction. At least the first rotor includes an individual blade control system (IBCS) configured to adjust a pitch of each of a plurality of blade of the first rotor independently. A standpipe is fixedly attached to the aircraft. The standpipe is arranged such that the first rotor and the second rotor rotate relative to the standpipe. At least one slip ring is configured to transmit electrical power and/or a control signal to the at least one IBCS.