Rotorcraft variable thrust cross-flow fan systems
US10279900B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2220/90
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In some embodiments, a rotorcraft includes a fuselage, a tailboom, a drive system and a variable thrust cross-flow fan system. The cross-flow fan system includes a cross-flow fan assembly that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft and operable to rotate with the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis. The cross-flow fan assembly includes first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween. The blades are disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis and have a generally circular path of travel when the cross-flow fan assembly rotates about the longitudinal axis. The blades are moveable between a plurality of pitch angle configurations. A control assembly is coupled to the blades. The control assembly is operable to change the pitch angle configuration of the blades to generate variable thrust at a substantially constant rotational speed of the cross-flow fan assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.