Compound Helicopter Tiltable Jet Engine Thrust Vectoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auxiliary propulsion systems for compound helicopters, such as linear jet engines, often result in excessive fuel consumption, making them inefficient for use as auxiliary propulsion systems.
Innovation Solution
A compound helicopter design incorporating a tiltable jet engine as a secondary power generator, which can rotate 360 degrees to provide thrust in various directions, including parallel and perpendicular to the primary thrust force, allowing for balanced torque and efficient propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a linear jet engine is used as an auxiliary propulsion system, then forward speed can be increased, but fuel consumption becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The jet engine is made tiltable/rotatable to change the direction of thrust dynamically. This allows the engine to provide thrust in directions other than purely forward, enabling the helicopter to achieve forward speed through a combination of thrust vectoring and rotor tilt, thereby improving fuel efficiency while maintaining speed capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the jet engine by allowing it to rotate through 360 degrees about at least one axis. This parameter change enables the engine to provide thrust in multiple directions (including parallel and perpendicular to the primary thrust force), allowing for optimized fuel consumption at different flight conditions while achieving the desired forward speed
2Productivity
If a tiltable jet engine is added to provide auxiliary thrust, then propulsion efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tiltable jet engine serves multiple functions: it provides forward thrust, can generate lift component, and can balance torque from the main rotor. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by eliminating the need for separate systems to perform these functions, thereby improving overall propulsion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The jet engine thrust is extended from a single linear dimension to three-dimensional space through 360-degree rotation capability. This allows the thrust vector to be directed in any orientation, providing both forward propulsion and vertical lift components, thus improving propulsion efficiency without requiring separate propulsion systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the jet engine is made rotatable to provide thrust in multiple directions, then versatility of propulsion improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jet engine mounting is designed with dynamic rotation capability about at least one axis, allowing the engine to pivot and change thrust direction. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides versatile thrust direction control while using a relatively simple rotational joint rather than complex multi-axis mechanisms
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
The tiltable jet engine system enhances fuel efficiency by optimizing thrust direction and balancing torque, enabling faster forward speeds while reducing drag and main rotor size, thus improving overall cruise efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The second power generator may be a jet engine that is a turbofan jet, a turboprop jet, an axial jet, etc.
Implementation Method 2
The engine arrangement may balance the force of torque from the primary power source by providing a balancing torque
Data Source
AI summary
In an implementation, the compound helicopter may include at least one rotary wing system, at least one first power generator and at least one second power generator. The at least one first power generator may rotate the at least one rotary wing blade to provide lift and a primary thrust force in a first direction to the helicopter. The at least one second power generator may be connected to the helicopter and may provide lift and a secondary thrust force in a direction that is independent of a direction of the primary thrust force and may also provide a secondary thrust force in a direction that is substantially parallel to the primary thrust force.