Patent · US Expired

Convertible aircraft with tilting rotors

US6607161B1 · kind B1 · utility

93Cited by
13References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 14, 2002
Grant dateAug 19, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 14, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/30
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Improving convertible aircraft of the aforementioned type mainly in terms of the active control of vibrations, while at the same time avoiding the addition of significant additional masses for essentially countering the excitations caused by the rotors and, secondarily, of making such an aircraft easier to control in terms of roll in airplane mode. In this secondary objective, these improvements aim to allow simplifications to the maneuvering and command means for controlling the aircraft in terms of roll in airplane mode and preferably, at the same time, a simplification of the command and maneuvering means performing the functions of augmenting lift and reducing offsetting power. The invention also relates to improvements made to the convertible aircraft of the aforementioned type to give them the ability to land in airplane mode (without converting beforehand from airplane configuration to helicopter configuration). This possibility makes it possible to reduce the critical nature of the rotor tilt mechanisms in that landing remains possible without damage to the aircraft, whatever the position of the rotors. Furthermore, if both engines fail in airplane mode it is advantageous, …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.