Patent · US Active

Tilt actuation for a rotorcraft

US7871033B2 · kind B2 · utility

56Cited by
17References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 10, 2009
Grant dateJan 18, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 10, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64C27/52
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An aircraft is equipped with hingeless rotors on tilting nacelles, and the tilt angles of the nacelles are controlled using either or both of an actuator and a mast moment generated by a hingeless rotor. An aircraft with two or more rotors on tilting nacelles can achieve control of yaw orientation by differential tilt of its nacelles or masts. Hingeless rotors can be manipulated to control a tilt angle of a mast by changing the rotor blade pitch to produce a mast moment. The rotor and nacelle tilt of a tiltrotor rotorcraft can be controlled and effected in order to manipulate the yaw orientation and flight mode of a rotorcraft such as a tiltrotor. The use of mast moment to control nacelle tilt angle can reduce tilt actuator loads and allows for the control of nacelle tilt even in the event of an actuator failure.

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