B64C27/82

Gearbox with integrated submersible lubricant pump
11486487 · 2022-11-01 · ·

A gear box includes a casing having an interior. A rotating component is arranged in the interior of the casing. A bearing including a rotating element, and a fixed element is connected with the casing in the interior. A submersible pump is arranged in the interior of the casing. The submersible pump includes a first housing portion extending about the rotating component fixedly mounted to the casing at the interior. A second housing portion is fixedly mounted to the casing at the interior and is aligned with the first housing portion. The first and second housing portions form a lubricant reservoir which holds lubricant. An impeller is mounted to the rotating component and arranged in the lubricant reservoir. One of the first and second housing portions includes an outlet through which the pumped lubricant is directed toward the rotating element.

Automated water volume estimation

According to an aspect, a computer-implemented method for water volume estimation includes detecting water based at least in part on sensor-based data; determining a volume of water based at least in part on the sensor-based data; determining a location at the water for an aircraft to retrieve water via a water retrieving apparatus; and translating the location of the water into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water.

ROTORCRAFT PROVIDED WITH A YAW MOTION CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A DUCTED ROTOR AND AN ICE PROTECTION SYSTEM
20220348336 · 2022-11-03 · ·

A rotorcraft provided with a yaw motion control system comprising a fairing and a rotor provided with blades, the blades being arranged in the fairing and able to rotate about an axis of rotation of the rotor, the fairing comprising a casing defining an air stream, the air stream extending in a direction of flow of the air within the fairing from an intake section towards an outlet section. The rotorcraft comprises an ice protection system comprising at least one grille arranged upstream of the air stream in the air flow direction, the grille facing the intake section parallel to the axis of rotation and the casing, no grille facing at least one unprotected section of the intake section in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

ROTORCRAFT PROVIDED WITH A YAW MOTION CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A DUCTED ROTOR AND AN ICE PROTECTION SYSTEM
20220348336 · 2022-11-03 · ·

A rotorcraft provided with a yaw motion control system comprising a fairing and a rotor provided with blades, the blades being arranged in the fairing and able to rotate about an axis of rotation of the rotor, the fairing comprising a casing defining an air stream, the air stream extending in a direction of flow of the air within the fairing from an intake section towards an outlet section. The rotorcraft comprises an ice protection system comprising at least one grille arranged upstream of the air stream in the air flow direction, the grille facing the intake section parallel to the axis of rotation and the casing, no grille facing at least one unprotected section of the intake section in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

ANTI-TORQUE ROTOR FOR A HELICOPTER

An anti-torque rotor is described comprising: a mast rotatable about a first axis; a plurality of blades rotatable about respective second axes; an element slidable along the first axis with respect to the mast, rotating integrally with the mast and operatively connected to the blades; a control rod slidable along axis; a first bearing with a first ring rotating integrally with element, a second ring radially internal to the first ring with respect to the first axis and a plurality of first rolling bodies; a third ring sliding integrally with the control rod along the first axis and angularly fixed with respect to the first axis; and a locking element arranged in a standard configuration, in which it prevents the relative rotation of the second and third rings and movable from the standard configuration to at least one emergency configuration, in which it renders the second ring free to rotate with respect to the third ring, when the first bearing is in a failure condition.

ANTI-TORQUE ROTOR FOR A HELICOPTER

An anti-torque rotor is described comprising: a mast rotatable about a first axis; a plurality of blades rotatable about respective second axes; an element slidable along the first axis with respect to the mast, rotating integrally with the mast and operatively connected to the blades; a control rod slidable along axis; a first bearing with a first ring rotating integrally with element, a second ring radially internal to the first ring with respect to the first axis and a plurality of first rolling bodies; a third ring sliding integrally with the control rod along the first axis and angularly fixed with respect to the first axis; and a locking element arranged in a standard configuration, in which it prevents the relative rotation of the second and third rings and movable from the standard configuration to at least one emergency configuration, in which it renders the second ring free to rotate with respect to the third ring, when the first bearing is in a failure condition.

Rotorcraft fly-by-wire go-around mode

A fly-by-wire system for a rotorcraft includes a computing device having control laws. The control laws are operable to engage a level-and-climb command in response to a switch of a pilot control assembly being selected. The level-and-climb command establishes a roll-neutral (“wings level”) attitude with the rotorcraft increasing altitude. The switch may be disposed on a collective control of the pilot control assembly (e.g., a button on a grip of the collective control). Selection of the switch may correspond to a button depress. The level-and-climb command may include a roll command and a collective pitch command. One or more control laws may be further operable to increase or decrease forward airspeed in response to pilot engagement of the level-and-climb command. The level-and-climb command may correspond to a go-around maneuver, an abort maneuver, or an extreme-attitude-recovery maneuver to be performed by the rotorcraft.

Rotorcraft fly-by-wire go-around mode

A fly-by-wire system for a rotorcraft includes a computing device having control laws. The control laws are operable to engage a level-and-climb command in response to a switch of a pilot control assembly being selected. The level-and-climb command establishes a roll-neutral (“wings level”) attitude with the rotorcraft increasing altitude. The switch may be disposed on a collective control of the pilot control assembly (e.g., a button on a grip of the collective control). Selection of the switch may correspond to a button depress. The level-and-climb command may include a roll command and a collective pitch command. One or more control laws may be further operable to increase or decrease forward airspeed in response to pilot engagement of the level-and-climb command. The level-and-climb command may correspond to a go-around maneuver, an abort maneuver, or an extreme-attitude-recovery maneuver to be performed by the rotorcraft.

Method for controlling at least one aerodynamic stabilizer member of a hybrid helicopter, and a hybrid helicopter
11634209 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A method for optimizing the operation of at least one first propeller and of at least one second propeller of a hybrid helicopter. The method comprises the following step during a control phase: deflection, with an autopilot system, of at least one aerodynamic stabilizer member into a setpoint position having, with respect to a reference position, a target deflection angle that is a function of a setpoint deflection angle, the setpoint deflection angle being calculated by the autopilot system in order to compensate for a torque exerted by the lift rotor at zero sideslip.

Redundant drive train for pylon mounted rotors
11634218 · 2023-04-25 · ·

A system includes an inboard tiltrotor subsystem and an outboard tiltrotor subsystem. The inboard tiltrotor subsystem includes an inboard pylon, an inboard tiltrotor, and a single and non-redundant drivetrain. The outboard tiltrotor subsystem includes an outboard pylon that is coupled to a wing and an outboard tiltrotor. The outboard tiltrotor has a range of motion and is coupled to the wing via the outboard pylon, such that the outboard tiltrotor is aft of the wing. The outboard tiltrotor subsystem further includes a redundant drivetrain (which has a plurality of motors and a plurality of motor controllers) that drives one or more blades and the one or more blades.