Variable pitch rotor assembly for electrically driven vectored thrust aircraft applications

US11511854B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Textron Systems Corporation · US

Inventors

• Sean Marshall Baity · Westminster, US
• David D. Billingsley · Hanover Junction, US
• Brad S. Galloway · Hanover Junction, US
• Richard M. Chapman · Fort Mill, US
• Daniel Thomas Otradovec · Forest Hill, US
• Graham Schill · Upperco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 26, 2019
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2022
• Expiry date: May 13, 2041

Classification

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

Abstract

An aircraft employs articulated, variable-position electric rotors having different operating configurations and transitions therebetween, as well as variable-pitch airfoils or blades, for generating vectored thrust in the different configurations. Control circuitry generates rotor position signals and blade pitch signals to independently control rotor thrust, rotor orientation and rotor blade pitch of the variable-position rotors in a manner providing (i) the transitions among the operating configurations for corresponding flight modes of the aircraft, which may include both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) mode as well as a forward-flight mode, and (ii) commanded thrust-vectoring maneuvering of the aircraft in the different configurations, including tailoring blade pitch to optimize aspects of aircraft performance.