A variable-pitch bladed disc including a plurality of blades, each at a variable pitch in relation to a rotation axis of the blade and each having a root, the plurality of blades including at least one first blade and at least one second blade, a plurality of rotor connecting shafts, each having a root and a tip, each root being mounted at the tip of a corresponding rotor connecting shaft by way of a pivot so as to allow each blade to rotate about the blade rotation axis, the first blade having a first blade inclination, such that the first blade is inclined in a fixed manner with respect to the blade rotation axis of the first blade, and the second blade having a second blade inclination different from the first blade inclination.

A variable-pitch bladed disc including a plurality of blades, each at a variable pitch in relation to a rotation axis of the blade and each having a root, the plurality of blades including at least one first blade and at least one second blade, a plurality of rotor connecting shafts, each having a root and a tip, each root being mounted at the tip of a corresponding rotor connecting shaft by way of a pivot so as to allow each blade to rotate about the blade rotation axis, the first blade having a first blade inclination, such that the first blade is inclined in a fixed manner with respect to the blade rotation axis of the first blade, and the second blade having a second blade inclination different from the first blade inclination.

A phonic wheel having a body and a tooth is disclosed. An embodiment of the phonic wheel includes a body that is configured to rotate about a rotation axis. The tooth is attached to the body. The tooth has a first axial end relative to the rotation axis, a second axial end opposite the first axial end, and a mid portion extending between the first and second axial ends. The mid portion has a substantially axially uniform height from the body. The first axial end has a greater height from the body than the height of the mid portion.

An improved aircraft design to harness advantages of vertical or short-takeoff and landings (V/STOL) and efficient horizontal flight. Configuration improves aircraft flight stability and efficiency in flight profiles: (1.) vertical flight; (2.) transition to and from horizontal flight and; (3.) horizontal flight on wings. The aircraft is capable of stable flight at any airspeed from hover to its maximum designed speed. It has the possibility of a controlled emergency landing using autorotation or, wings or, a combination of the two. Aircraft design includes: multiple thrust sources and, wings free to rotate on a spanwise axis. Wing rotation is independent—not coupled—with either the fuselage or, the thrust sources. Wing configurations include single, tandem or, multiple sets. Wings are coupled each other such that rotation induced in one wing affects rotation in all wings. Thrust sources are directed vertically during hover and some degree forward of vertical for horizontal flight. Thrust sources for vertical and horizontal flight can be the same rotors, such as in tilt-rotor configurations; or, divided between vertical flight rotors and horizontal flight rotors, such is in lift and cruise (a.k.a. lift and thrust) configurations.

An improved aircraft design to harness advantages of vertical or short-takeoff and landings (V/STOL) and efficient horizontal flight. Configuration improves aircraft flight stability and efficiency in flight profiles: (1.) vertical flight; (2.) transition to and from horizontal flight and; (3.) horizontal flight on wings. The aircraft is capable of stable flight at any airspeed from hover to its maximum designed speed. It has the possibility of a controlled emergency landing using autorotation or, wings or, a combination of the two. Aircraft design includes: multiple thrust sources and, wings free to rotate on a spanwise axis. Wing rotation is independent—not coupled—with either the fuselage or, the thrust sources. Wing configurations include single, tandem or, multiple sets. Wings are coupled each other such that rotation induced in one wing affects rotation in all wings. Thrust sources are directed vertically during hover and some degree forward of vertical for horizontal flight. Thrust sources for vertical and horizontal flight can be the same rotors, such as in tilt-rotor configurations; or, divided between vertical flight rotors and horizontal flight rotors, such is in lift and cruise (a.k.a. lift and thrust) configurations.

A rotorcraft having pusher propeller generated power during autorotations. The rotorcraft has an engine powered mode and an autorotation mode. The rotorcraft includes an engine and a drivetrain configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the engine in the engine powered mode. A main rotor system is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate lift and forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. A pusher propeller is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. In the autorotation mode, the pusher propeller is aerodynamically driven responsive to airflow therethrough and the drivetrain is configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the pusher propeller, thereby providing power to the main rotor system.

A rotorcraft having pusher propeller generated power during autorotations. The rotorcraft has an engine powered mode and an autorotation mode. The rotorcraft includes an engine and a drivetrain configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the engine in the engine powered mode. A main rotor system is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate lift and forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. A pusher propeller is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. In the autorotation mode, the pusher propeller is aerodynamically driven responsive to airflow therethrough and the drivetrain is configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the pusher propeller, thereby providing power to the main rotor system.

The present invention relates to an aerially distributable communications device (ACCD) including one or more gyrochutes and communications module configured for wireless communication with external communication nodes. The communications module can be configured for mesh network type communication with similar aerially distributable communications device, or as a gateway type communications device to a wide area network such as a satellite network. The ACCD is for deployment in remote areas and/or areas where normal communications networks are down, such as disaster areas. The ACCD can be deployed from an aircraft or a spacecraft. The ACCD can further be configured with emergency equipment such as water purification equipment, power charging equipment, or the like.

The present invention relates to an aerially distributable communications device (ACCD) including one or more gyrochutes and communications module configured for wireless communication with external communication nodes. The communications module can be configured for mesh network type communication with similar aerially distributable communications device, or as a gateway type communications device to a wide area network such as a satellite network. The ACCD is for deployment in remote areas and/or areas where normal communications networks are down, such as disaster areas. The ACCD can be deployed from an aircraft or a spacecraft. The ACCD can further be configured with emergency equipment such as water purification equipment, power charging equipment, or the like.

There is provided a method and a system for detecting and mitigating a propeller failure condition. An actual value of a rotational speed of the propeller and/or of a pitch angle of blades of the propeller is obtained. In response to determining that the speed is below a reference rotational speed for the propeller and/or determining that the pitch angle is above a pitch angle threshold, an actuator operatively connected to the blades is commanded to decrease the pitch angle to increase the speed towards the reference speed. After commanding of the actuator to decrease the pitch angle, a subsequent value of the speed and/or a subsequent value of the pitch angle is obtained. The actuator is commanded to hold the pitch angle in response to determining that the speed has failed to increase towards the reference speed and/or determining that the pitch angle has failed to decrease.