Propeller system with electronically controlled cyclic and collective blade pitch
US4648345A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H3/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A plurality of blades extend radially from a hub which is rotated by a motor about a drive axis. Each blade has a root which is rotatably connected to the hub so that it can be independently twisted to vary the pitch thereof relative to the drive axis. A plurality of electromagnets are annularly positioned adjacent the hub so that permanent magnets connected to the roots of corresponding blades can be attracted and/or repelled to induce twisting motion in the blades as the hub rotates about its drive axis. A control circuit receives input commands for a manual control device and causes predetermined electrical signals to be applied to the electromagnets for simultaneously varying the pitch of the blades. The pitch of the blades can be varied cyclically and collectively in accordance with any real continuous function, and not just sinusoidally as in the case of prior mechanical linkages employing swash plates. A vessel equipped with the propeller system at the fore and aft ends thereof can be precisely maneuvered in six degrees of freedom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.