Electric propulsor with folding propeller
US12344365B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2024 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C27/54
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an electric propulsor. The electric propulsor has a propeller having a hub and blades extending from the hub. The blades are movable along respective flapping axes between a deployed position and a stowed position. The electric propulsor also has an actuator and an electric motor coupled with the hub and arranged to rotatably drive the propeller. Further, the electric propulsor has one or more processors configured to: receive an input indicating an azimuthal position of the blades; control the electric motor to align the blades with a target azimuthal position based at least in part on the input; and with the blades of the propeller arranged at the target azimuthal position, cause the actuator to translate a control rod coupled thereto and with the hub to actively fold or unfold the blades along the respective flapping axes of the blades.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.