B64C27/006

Clevis assembly with bearing device in operable communication with a translating element, and fail-safe tail rotor system including the same

According to an aspect, a clevis assembly includes a shackle having two ends, each end respectively including an aperture, a structure connecting the apertures and housing a bearing, and a shearing device that includes a frangible point and is in operable communication with the bearing, where the shearing device is housed in a hollow portion of the structure.

Rotorcraft-mounted rotor blade collision warning system and method for alerting a rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of a rotor blade

A method is provided for alerting a rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of a rotor blade of the rotorcraft having a rotor shaft and a rotor azimuth. The method comprises estimating a total rotor flapping value associated with the rotor blade during an operating condition of the rotorcraft. The estimated total rotor flapping value is relative to the rotor shaft as a function of the rotor azimuth. The method also comprises comparing the estimated total rotor flapping value to a rotor flapping limit value during the operating condition of the rotorcraft. The method further comprises sending a warning signal to a warning device when the estimated total rotor flapping value lies outside of the rotor flapping limit value to alert the rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of the rotor blade of the rotorcraft.

STIFFENER SKELETON FOR A FIREWALL ARRANGEMENT OF A ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT

A stiffener skeleton that is configured to be mounted to an upper deck of a rotary wing aircraft in a maintenance phase, comprising an upper stiffening structure with a plurality of supporting arms for providing upside stiffening support, and a lateral stiffening structure with a plurality of supporting legs for providing lateral stiffening support, wherein the plurality of supporting arms and the plurality of supporting legs form a self-supporting frame structure.

System and method for controller-free user drone interaction

System and method for controlling an aerial system, without physical interaction with a separate remote device, based on sensed user expressions. User expressions may include thought, voice, facial expressions, and/gestures. User expressions may be sensed by sensors associated with the aerial device or a remote device.

Method and system for evaluating rotor-mast fatigue damage

A method of evaluating fatigue damage of a rotor mast. The method includes performing an x-ray diffraction (“XRD”) inspection of the rotor mast, assessing fatigue damage sustained by the rotor mast based on results of the XRD inspection, and determining whether the rotor mast is suitable for continued use based on the assessed fatigue damage.

DOWNWASH BLOCKING APPARATUS FOR AIR MOBILITY

The present invention relates to a downwash blocking apparatus of air mobility configured such that multi-stage guide shells configured for blocking downwash and guiding the downwash to a discharge portion of a vertiport are mounted to a rotor guide of a flying vehicle for air urban mobility to be movable upwards and downwards, whereby it is possible to prevent the downwash from affecting passengers at the time of boarding and deboarding, and therefore it is possible to solve passenger inconvenience at the time of boarding and deboarding.

ENERGY ATTENUATING POD CARRIER SYSTEM FOR VERTICAL LIFT AIRCRAFT

A vehicle has a pod carrier, a pod rotatably connected to the pod carrier, and an energy attenuating system (EAS) disposed between the pod and the pod carrier to attenuate forces associated with a deflection of the pod relative to the pod carrier. A method of operating an energy attenuating system (EAS) is provided for attenuating energy associated with movement between a pod and a pod carrier. The method includes providing a vehicle having a pod carrier and providing the pod carrier with an EAS configured in an undeflected state.

Control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles

A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within a flight operating space. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes one or more sensor arrays on each spar. The method includes determining, using a plurality of sensor arrays, a flight path for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method also includes receiving, by at least one sensor array of the plurality of sensor arrays, sensor data identifying at least one object in the operating space. The sensor data is transmitted over a communications bus connecting components of the UAV. The method further includes determining, by one or more processors onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight path around the at least one object. The method also includes generating, by the one or more onboard processors, a first signal to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to navigate within the operating space around the at least one object.

System and a method for detecting wear of a ball-joint connection device of a rod, a rotor assembly, and an aircraft
11319986 · 2022-05-03 · ·

The present invention relates to a detection system for detecting wear of a ball-joint connection device of a pitch rod. The detection system includes at least one measurement assembly, said at least one measurement assembly having at least one deformation gauge for placing on said pitch rod, said detection system comprising at least one electrical conditioning circuit connected to at least one said deformation gauge and to at least one electrical energy source, said electrical conditioning circuit being configured to generate a measurement signal that varies as a function of deformation of said at least one deformation gauge and as a function of said wear.

Methods and apparatus to recover rotorcraft
11718389 · 2023-08-08 · ·

Methods and apparatus to recover rotorcraft are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a rotor of a vehicle, a rotatable hub to support the rotor, and a rotor hook disposed on the rotor. The rotor hook has a groove to receive a recovery line. The rotor is to contact the recovery line when the vehicle is flown toward the recovery line.