Variable Pitch Continuous Tilt Rotor Mechanism for VTOL Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fixed wing VTOL UAVs face performance compromises in both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and horizontal flight modes due to competing requirements, and existing systems either have inefficient propulsion or require separate systems for different flight regimes.
Innovation Solution
A variable pitch and continuous tilt apparatus that allows simultaneous rotor pitch and tilt adjustments, enabling optimized rotor pitch and tilt for all flight regimes, including VTOL, hover, and forward flight, using a single propulsion system with a mechanism that includes a rotor tilt adjustment actuator, motor tilt linkage, rotor pitch adjustment actuator, and dual pivot linkage for efficient thrust vector orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed pitch rotors are used in fixed wing VTOL UAV, then the design is simple, but control authority and maneuverability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable pitch rotors that can dynamically adjust their blade angle during flight operations. The pitch adjustment mechanism allows the rotor blades to rotate and change their angle of attack, enabling the system to optimize thrust and control authority for different flight regimes (VTOL, hover, forward flight) without compromising design simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotor tilt adjustment is added to provide continuous tilt capability, then flight mode transition is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotor tilt adjustment mechanism with the existing motor mount and housing structure. The tilt adjustment actuator is integrated into the motor mount assembly, and the linkage system connects directly to the rotor holder, merging multiple functions (motor mounting, tilt adjustment, and rotor attachment) into a unified structure that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor mount assembly serves multiple functions: it mounts the motor, provides tilt adjustment capability through the actuator and linkage mechanism, and attaches the rotor holder. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing system complexity while enabling continuous tilt capability for flight mode transitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable pitch rotors are used to improve control authority, then maneuverability is improved, but transmission complexity between rotor and motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pitch adjustment function from a complex transmission system and implements it through a direct linkage mechanism. The pitch adjustment actuator connects directly to the rotor holder through a simple linkage that allows the rotor blades to rotate independently of the motor, eliminating the need for complex gear trains or variable geometry mechanisms while maintaining full pitch control authority.
4Device complexity
If the entire aircraft must tilt for forward flight instead of rotor tilt, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flight efficiency and maneuverability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tilt function from the entire aircraft structure and applies it locally to the rotor assembly. The rotor tilt adjustment actuator and linkage mechanism enable only the rotor to tilt independently, while the aircraft body remains stable. This segmentation allows the rotor to be optimized for forward flight efficiency without requiring the entire aircraft to tilt, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while improving flight efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus providing continuous tilt and variable pitch for rotors on a fixed wing VTOL aircraft. An actuator on a housing rotates a first pivot point on a motor mount to tilt a motor to horizontal and vertical positions. Simultaneously, an actuator on the motor mount rotates a fork on a second pivot point on the motor mount to adjust the pitch of the rotors attached to a free end of the motor's drive shaft. A lower swash plate on the drive shaft is attached to the fork. An upper swash plate on the drive shaft is attached to the rotors. The swash plates are attached to each other with a shaft bushing attached to a shaft ball bearing. The shaft bushing allows both swash plates to move linearly along the shaft when the fork is rotated. The shaft ball bearing allows the upper swash plate to rotate with the drive shaft while the lower swash plate remains stationary.