Vectoring Tail Propeller for Compound Helicopter Yaw Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compound helicopters face performance degradation due to high weight and part count, leading to reduced fuel economy and suboptimal yaw control, particularly in coaxial pusher-prop designs.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft tail assembly with a drivable propeller and a secondary empennage that can pivot, utilizing a gearbox to transmit power and enable cyclic control of propeller blades, allowing the propeller to assume pusher-prop and tail rotor configurations, and featuring a lock system for adjustable motion control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple propellers or ducted fans are added to a compound helicopter, then lift and thrust generation is improved, but weight and part count increase leading to reduced fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The single propeller is designed to perform multiple functions: generating lift during hover, providing thrust during forward flight, and enabling yaw control through vectoring. This eliminates the need for separate lift-generating devices while maintaining compound helicopter performance benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple propulsion devices into a single integrated propeller system with vectoring capability. The propeller combines lift generation, thrust production, and yaw control functions that were previously distributed across multiple separate components
2Power
If multiple propellers or ducted fans are added to a compound helicopter, then lift and thrust generation is improved, but part count increases leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The single propeller system is designed to perform multiple functions: generating lift during hover, providing thrust during forward flight, and enabling yaw control through vectoring. This eliminates the need for separate lift-generating devices while maintaining compound helicopter performance benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple propulsion devices into a single integrated propeller system with vectoring capability. The propeller combines lift generation, thrust production, and yaw control functions that were previously distributed across multiple separate components
3Volume of moving object
If a coaxial pusher-prop design is used, then compact configuration is achieved, but yaw control capability becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller's rotational plane is made dynamically adjustable through vectoring capability, allowing the thrust direction to be changed in real-time. This enables effective yaw control in a compact coaxial configuration by tilting the propeller disk to generate horizontal thrust components for rotation control
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 enhances maneuverability and speed while reducing weight, improving fuel efficiency and yaw control capabilities, allowing the aircraft to transition seamlessly between hover and forward flight modes.
Implementation Method 1
a propeller drivable to rotate and a secondary empennage on which the propeller is supportable
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a gearbox to transmit power and enable cyclic control of propeller blades
Implementation Method 3
a secondary empennage on which the propeller is supportable and which is aerodynamically pivotable with respect to the first member
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft assembly is provided and includes a first member extending from an aircraft airframe, a propeller, which is drivable to rotate and a secondary member on which the propeller is supportable and which is aerodynamically pivotable with respect to the first member.