Patent classifications
B64C27/78
Low observable aircraft having tandem longitudinal lift fans
An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a forward flight orientation. The aircraft has a blended wing body and includes first and second engines, a binary lift fan system, first and second forced air bypass systems and first and second exhaust systems. The engines have turboshaft and turbofan modes. The lift fan system includes ducted fans in a tandem longitudinal orientation. In the VTOL orientation of the aircraft, the engines are in the turboshaft mode coupled to the lift fan system such that the engines provide rotational energy to the ducted fans generating the thrust-borne lift. In the forward flight orientation of the aircraft, the engines are in the turbofan mode coupled to the forced air bypass systems such that the bypass air combines with the engine exhaust in the exhaust systems to provide forward thrust generating the wing-borne lift.
Low observable aircraft having tandem longitudinal lift fans
An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a forward flight orientation. The aircraft has a blended wing body and includes first and second engines, a binary lift fan system, first and second forced air bypass systems and first and second exhaust systems. The engines have turboshaft and turbofan modes. The lift fan system includes ducted fans in a tandem longitudinal orientation. In the VTOL orientation of the aircraft, the engines are in the turboshaft mode coupled to the lift fan system such that the engines provide rotational energy to the ducted fans generating the thrust-borne lift. In the forward flight orientation of the aircraft, the engines are in the turbofan mode coupled to the forced air bypass systems such that the bypass air combines with the engine exhaust in the exhaust systems to provide forward thrust generating the wing-borne lift.
AIRCRAFT TURBINE ENGINE COMPRISING VARIABLE-PITCH PROPELLER BLADES
An assembly comprising a propeller blade and its system for angularly adjusting the pitch of the blade including a bowl which is radially delimited by an annular wall (44)-extending about an axis for adjusting the pitch of the blade, the bowl having a bottom wall, a free lower end of the root being fitted axially into a complementary housing of the bottom wall in order to rotatably connect the bowl and the blade about the pitch-adjustment axis. The root of the blade comprises a first limiting face that engages with a first abutment face of the bowl to limit the rotation of the blade in the event of breakage of the lower end of the root.
AIRCRAFT TURBINE ENGINE COMPRISING VARIABLE-PITCH PROPELLER BLADES
An assembly comprising a propeller blade and its system for angularly adjusting the pitch of the blade including a bowl which is radially delimited by an annular wall (44)-extending about an axis for adjusting the pitch of the blade, the bowl having a bottom wall, a free lower end of the root being fitted axially into a complementary housing of the bottom wall in order to rotatably connect the bowl and the blade about the pitch-adjustment axis. The root of the blade comprises a first limiting face that engages with a first abutment face of the bowl to limit the rotation of the blade in the event of breakage of the lower end of the root.
Tail rotor configurations for rotorcraft yaw control systems
A yaw control system coupled to a tailboom of a helicopter includes tail rotors. The tail rotors include a clockwise tail rotor and a counterclockwise tail rotor. The clockwise tail rotor is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction. The counterclockwise tail rotor is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction, the second rotational direction opposite of the first rotational direction.
Gearbox and associated aircraft
A gearbox including an angular contact ball bearing comprising a first row of balls provided with a plurality of balls, a second row of balls provided with another plurality of balls, at least one inner ring and at least one outer ring. According to the invention, in a degraded operating mode of the bearing, the first row of balls is configured to transmit at least one first axial force oriented along a first axis and at least one second axial force oriented along a second axis opposite the first axis, the second row of balls transmitting no axial force.
Preventing helicopter loss of tail rotor effectiveness
Embodiments are directed to a flight control system for a helicopter comprises a pilot interface configured to receive a control input, at least one electronically controlled actuator, and a computing device configured to translate the control input to an actuator command, wherein the computing device is further configured to apply yaw rate limits to the actuator command to avoid loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The yaw rate limits are associated with a vortex ring state (VRS) envelope for a tail rotor of the helicopter. The electronically controlled actuator comprises a tail rotor actuator. The control input is a pedal input.
Preventing helicopter loss of tail rotor effectiveness
Embodiments are directed to a flight control system for a helicopter comprises a pilot interface configured to receive a control input, at least one electronically controlled actuator, and a computing device configured to translate the control input to an actuator command, wherein the computing device is further configured to apply yaw rate limits to the actuator command to avoid loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The yaw rate limits are associated with a vortex ring state (VRS) envelope for a tail rotor of the helicopter. The electronically controlled actuator comprises a tail rotor actuator. The control input is a pedal input.
Tail rotor actuator joint
A joint for an actuator of a rotorcraft includes a housing configured to be coupled to an input lever of the actuator; and a rotary bearing coupled to the housing, the rotary bearing comprising an inner race and an outer race and configured to be coupled to a control rod, wherein the inner race and outer race are rotationally fixed relative to each other until a torque applied to the joint exceeds a threshold torque value, upon which there is a relative rotatability between the inner race and the outer race.
Tail rotor actuator joint
A joint for an actuator of a rotorcraft includes a housing configured to be coupled to an input lever of the actuator; and a rotary bearing coupled to the housing, the rotary bearing comprising an inner race and an outer race and configured to be coupled to a control rod, wherein the inner race and outer race are rotationally fixed relative to each other until a torque applied to the joint exceeds a threshold torque value, upon which there is a relative rotatability between the inner race and the outer race.