Patent classifications
B64C11/305
DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A LEAST ONE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR AN AIRCRAFT-PROPELLING ASSEMBLY
The present invention relates to a device (1) for controlling an electric aircraft-propelling assembly, said propelling assembly comprising a propeller (3) and at least one electric motor (4) that is powered by an electric supply voltage and that delivers a torque and a rotation speed to drive the propeller (3). The control device (1) comprises at least a unit (11) for measuring an electric supply voltage, and a control unit (12) suitable for making a signal delivered to the electric motor vary as a function of said electric supply voltage, with a view to making the rotation speed of the propeller vary.
SELECTIVELY THRUSTING PROPULSION UNITS FOR AERIAL VEHICLES
Aerial vehicles may include propulsion units having motors with drive shafts that may be aligned at a variety of orientations, propellers with variable pitch blades, and common operators for aligning the drive shafts at one or more orientations and for varying the pitch angles of the blades. The common operators may include plate elements to which a propeller hub is rotatably joined, and which may be supported by one or more linear actuators that may extend or retract to vary both the orientations of the drive shafts and the pitch angles of the blades. Operating the motors and propellers at varying speeds, gimbal angles or pitch angles enables the motors to generate forces in any number of directions and at any magnitudes. Attributes of the propulsion units may be selected in order to shape or control the noise generated thereby.
Variable inlet guide vane scheduling
There is disclosed an aero gas turbine engine comprising a compressor and an array of variable inlet guide vanes for the compressor. The angle of the variable inlet guide vanes is controlled by scheduling, the scheduling comprising a first component invoked for engine ground start and a second component invoked for engine in-flight windmill start at least under particular flight conditions. The angle of the variable inlet guide vanes required by at least a portion of the second component is greater than the angle of the variable inlet guide vanes required by at least a portion of the first component.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LIMITING POWER OF AN ENGINE
Systems and methods for limiting power of a gas turbine engine for an aircraft are described herein. A blade angle of a propeller blade of the engine and a commanded power for the engine are obtained. A thrust transition direction is determined. The commanded power is compared to a selected threshold based on the blade angle and the thrust transition direction. Power to the engine is limited when the commanded power exceeds the selected threshold.
Selectively thrusting propulsion units for aerial vehicles
Aerial vehicles may include propulsion units having motors with drive shafts that may be aligned at a variety of orientations, propellers with variable pitch blades, and common operators for aligning the drive shafts at one or more orientations and for varying the pitch angles of the blades. The common operators may include plate elements to which a propeller hub is rotatably joined, and which may be supported by one or more linear actuators that may extend or retract to vary both the orientations of the drive shafts and the pitch angles of the blades. Operating the motors and propellers at varying speeds, gimbal angles or pitch angles enables the motors to generate forces in any number of directions and at any magnitudes. Attributes of the propulsion units may be selected in order to shape or control the noise generated thereby.
TILT-ROTOR MULTICOPTERS WITH VARIABLE PITCH PROPELLERS
Aircraft are configured to facilitate propeller blade pitch adjustability. According to one example, an aircraft can include a plurality of propellers, where each propeller includes plurality of blades. At least one pitch adjust mechanism may be associated with at least on propeller, where the pitch adjust mechanism is configured to adjust a pitch of the plurality of blades for at least one propeller in response to airflow from at least one other propeller influencing an airflow at the at least one propeller. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
Aircraft and associated method of controlling an electric aircraft powerplant
The aircraft can include a rotary airfoil device having an output shaft rotatable around an airfoil rotation axis; an electric engine having a source shaft drivingly coupled to the output shaft; a controller in communication with the electric engine; a low voltage electric system operable to power the controller; a high voltage electric system having a high voltage battery operable to power the electric engine, the high voltage battery further operable to power the low voltage electric system via a voltage converter; and an electromagnetic generator having a generator shaft coupled to the output shaft, the electromagnetic generator operable to power the low voltage electric system.
SUB-IDLE HYBRID OPERATION MODE FOR HYBRID ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM
A method of operating a hybrid engine for an aircraft, the hybrid engine having a thermal engine and an electric motor. The method includes verifying, using an engine control unit of the hybrid engine, that a selected power level is under a predetermined threshold for operation of the hybrid engine in a sub-idle hybrid mode. The method further includes operating the hybrid engine in the sub-idle hybrid mode, using the engine control unit, by controlling the thermal engine to operate in a standby mode, and by controlling the electric motor to operate in an active mode wherein the electric motor provides a majority of a propulsive power to the aircraft, wherein in the standby mode the thermal engine operates in a sub-idle condition to provide at most minimal propulsive power to the aircraft.
SINGLE LEVER POWERPLANT CONTROL ON TWIN TURBOPROPELLER AIRCRAFT
Herein provided are methods and systems for controlling operation a first propeller of an aircraft, the first propeller associated with a first engine, the aircraft further comprising a second propeller associated with a second engine. A first requested engine power for the first engine is obtained. A second requested engine power for the second engine is obtained. The first propeller is synchronized with the second propeller by setting a first propeller command for the first propeller based on the first and second requested engine power, and the first propeller command is sent for the first propeller.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NOISE MITIGATION FOR HYBRID AND ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
A system and method of noise mitigation for hybrid and electric aircraft, the aircraft having a controllable pitch propeller or rotor(s) with a plurality of blades. The propeller or rotor(s) are driven by a drive system to provide thrust for the aircraft, and the blades of the propeller or rotor(s) are further movable about pivot axis to vary a pitch thereof. A controller on-board the aircraft is operable to cause rotation or movement of the blades of the propeller or rotor(s) about their pivot axis to alter and/or focus at least one aspect of the propeller generated noise to reduce or mitigate such noise while maintaining a substantially constant thrust, altitude, and/or air speed of the aircraft.