A rotor system for aerial vehicles where two or more rotor systems are used in a coaxial or tandem arrangement on the aerial vehicle.

Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

Systems and methods relate to a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platform that can include a stator and a rotor magnetically levitated by the stator. The rotor and stator can be annular, such that the rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The stator can include magnets that provide guidance, levitation, and drive forces to drive the rotor, as well as to control operation of rotor blades of the rotor that can be independently rotated to specific pitch angles to control at least one of lift, pitch, roll, or yaw of the VTOL platform. Various controllers can be used to enable independent and redundant control of components of the VTOL platform.

An aircraft capable of carrying at least 400 pounds of payload, has four rotors systems, each of the rotor systems being independently driven by an electric motor or other torque-producing source. Each of the rotor systems provide sufficient thrust such that the aircraft is capable of controlled vertical takeoff and landing, even if one of the variable pitch rotor is inoperable. An electronic control system is configured to control the rotational speed and pitch of at least one of the rotor systems in each of the first and second rotor pairs. The rotors may be arranged in coaxial stacks or maybe otherwise configured.

An aircraft capable of carrying at least 400 pounds of payload, has four rotors systems, each of the rotor systems being independently driven by an electric motor or other torque-producing source. Each of the rotor systems provide sufficient thrust such that the aircraft is capable of controlled vertical takeoff and landing, even if one of the variable pitch rotor is inoperable. An electronic control system is configured to control the rotational speed and pitch of at least one of the rotor systems in each of the first and second rotor pairs. The rotors may be arranged in coaxial stacks or maybe otherwise configured.

A rotor blade system having a plurality of rotor blades, wherein at least one of the rotor blades includes an outer surface having generally opposing first and second surfaces, the rotor blade including a fluid flow altering surface positioned relative to one of the first or second surfaces which is moveable between first and second positions, wherein movement of the fluid flow altering surface is effected by an expandable member.

A rotor blade system having a plurality of rotor blades, wherein at least one of the rotor blades includes an outer surface having generally opposing first and second surfaces, the rotor blade including a fluid flow altering surface positioned relative to one of the first or second surfaces which is moveable between first and second positions, wherein movement of the fluid flow altering surface is effected by an expandable member.

A rotor for a hover-capable aircraft is described that comprises: a hub rotatable about a first axis and at least two blades hinged to the hub; each blade comprises a main portion hinged to the hub and a tip portion, which is arranged radially outermost with respect to first axis with respect to the corresponding main portion; the tip portion of each blade is movable with respect to the corresponding main portion of that blade; the tip portion of each blade is selectively movable with respect to the corresponding main portion of that blade between a first position, in which it defines a dihedral or anhedral angle with respect to the corresponding main portion; and a second position, in which it defines a positive or negative sweep angle with respect to the corresponding main portion.

A rotor for a hover-capable aircraft is described that comprises: a hub rotatable about a first axis and at least two blades hinged to the hub; each blade comprises a main portion hinged to the hub and a tip portion, which is arranged radially outermost with respect to first axis with respect to the corresponding main portion; the tip portion of each blade is movable with respect to the corresponding main portion of that blade; the tip portion of each blade is selectively movable with respect to the corresponding main portion of that blade between a first position, in which it defines a dihedral or anhedral angle with respect to the corresponding main portion; and a second position, in which it defines a positive or negative sweep angle with respect to the corresponding main portion.

An aircraft uses trajectory-based control algorithms for blade pitch (or twist). This approach greatly enhances the ability of the actuator to accurately achieve the desired blade pitch and to track the commanded pitch position. An actuator includes an electronic rotor blade controller that converts communicated or desired changes in pitch (or similar parameter) to actual physical effects that match the desired changes as closely as possible. The controller preferably includes a motor drive circuit, such as an h-bridge, a communication circuit for connection to external commands, and a processor with associated enabling circuitry (e.g. memory, I/O) to coordinate and implement the control.