Aircraft component longevity
US12377975B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2021 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D2045/0085
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In an embodiment, proprotor pitch ranges used during nominal cruise flight may be varied. By selecting ideal combinations of proprotor pitch angle and proprotor rpm, instead of the proprotor blade pitch bearing spending most of its time in a first range, multiple ranges may be alternated between. Additionally, in an aircraft with multiple proprotors, the portion of total thrust produced by each individual proprotor may be varied over time in order to allow for proprotor blade pitch angle to be varied without varying proprotor rpm. By properly cycling between different blade pitch ranges, bearing life can be significantly increased.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.