Circumferentially-driven propulsion mechanism

US10160541B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Brian C. Beckman · Newcastle, US
• Menashe Haskin · Palo Alto, US
• Atishkumar Kalyan · Seattle, US
• Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III · Seattle, US
• Michael Rolnik · Afula, IL
• Ricky Dean Welsh · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2015
• Grant date: Dec 25, 2018
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Described is an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that includes a lifting propulsion mechanism that is circumferentially-driven and includes a propeller assembly and a propeller rim enclosure. The propeller assembly includes a plurality of propeller blades that extend radially and are coupled to an inner side of a substantially circular propeller rim that encompasses the propeller blades. Permanent magnets are coupled to an outer side of the propeller rim. The propeller rim and the magnets are positioned within a cavity of the propeller rim enclosure such that the propeller rim will rotate within the propeller rim enclosure. Also within the cavity of the propeller rim enclosure are electromagnets that are used to cause the propeller rim to rotate.