Patent classifications
B64D27/30
TILT ROTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVTOL AIRCRAFT
A system includes a first frame for mounting to the aircraft; a second frame for mounting the proprotor, the second frame being rotatably mounted to the first frame; a first gear located along the rotation axis of the second frame and fixed in position relative to the first frame; a pinion that moves with the second frame and engages the first gear such that the pinion revolves around the first gear, causing the pinion to rotate; a cam that is fixedly connected to the pinion such that the cam rotates with the pinion; and a control rod operatively coupled at a first end with the cam such that rotation of the cam can cause translation of the control rod, wherein the control rod can be coupled at a second end to the blades of the proprotor such that translation of the control rod alters the pitch of the blades.
INVERTER CIRCUITS AND ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR EVTOL AIRCRAFT
An electrical propulsion system includes an electrical motor configured to drive one or more propellers of the aircraft, a capacitor configured to stabilize a direct current (DC) bus voltage, a first inverter circuit coupled to the capacitor and configured to convert the DC bus voltage to alternate current (AC) voltages to drive a first set of stator windings of the electrical motor, in response to a first pulse width modulation (PWM) vector, and a second inverter circuit coupled to the capacitor and configured to convert the DC bus voltage to AC voltages to drive a second set of stator windings of the electrical motor, in response to a second PWM vector. The first PWM vector and the second PWM vector are substantially equal and opposite vectors.
TURBOPROP CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A RAM AIR TURBINE FUNCTION AND AIRCRAFT COMPRISING SUCH A TURBOPROP
A turboprop includes a propeller, a propeller shaft carrying the propeller, the propeller being a variable-pitch propeller having a propeller pitch, a rotating electric machine having at least a first configuration in which it is mechanically coupled to the propeller shaft and at least one oil pump configured to supply a hydraulic circuit for adjusting the pitch of the propeller. The oil pump is configured to be electrically operated. An aircraft can include such a turboprop and methods can control such a turboprop and such an aircraft.
TURBOPROP CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A RAM AIR TURBINE FUNCTION AND AIRCRAFT COMPRISING SUCH A TURBOPROP
A turboprop includes a propeller, a propeller shaft carrying the propeller, the propeller being a variable-pitch propeller having a propeller pitch, a rotating electric machine having at least a first configuration in which it is mechanically coupled to the propeller shaft and at least one oil pump configured to supply a hydraulic circuit for adjusting the pitch of the propeller. The oil pump is configured to be electrically operated. An aircraft can include such a turboprop and methods can control such a turboprop and such an aircraft.
Redundant load path for powered lift tilt actuator
A system for an aircraft includes a tiltable proprotor that is tiltable between a lift position for providing lift for the aircraft and a forward flight position for providing forward propulsion for the aircraft is provided. The system includes at least one actuator for adjusting a tilt angle of the tiltable proprotor; and at least one passive damper connected to the tiltable proprotor and configured to limit a rate of change of the tilt angle of the tiltable proprotor.
Redundant load path for powered lift tilt actuator
A system for an aircraft includes a tiltable proprotor that is tiltable between a lift position for providing lift for the aircraft and a forward flight position for providing forward propulsion for the aircraft is provided. The system includes at least one actuator for adjusting a tilt angle of the tiltable proprotor; and at least one passive damper connected to the tiltable proprotor and configured to limit a rate of change of the tilt angle of the tiltable proprotor.
AIRCRAFT DRIVE DEVICE AND AIRCRAFT PROVIDED WITH A DRIVE DEVICE
An aircraft drive device (10) for creating propulsion and/or lift of an aircraft, the drive device comprising a rotating shaft (12), a rotating shaft bearing (14, 16), a rotating shaft drive machine (18) for rotationally driving the rotating shaft (12), and a housing (20), wherein the rotating shaft bearing (14,16) and the rotating shaft drive device (18) are arranged in an interior of the housing (44) and the rotating shaft (12) protrudes to the outside of the housing (20) through a housing opening (42) of the housing (20), wherein in the region of the housing opening (42) an overvoltage arrester device (52) is arranged which is designed for diverting an overvoltage present at the rotating shaft (12).
Coaxial drive propulsion system for aerial vehicles, and associated systems and methods
A propulsion system for an aircraft may include two coaxial propellers to operate in two different flight conditions. Each propeller may be attached to a driveshaft via corresponding one-way devices that allow each propeller to be driven in one direction but spin freely in the other direction. A reversible motor may selectively rotate the driveshaft in one direction to cause one propeller to operate while the other spins freely. For example, one propeller may be operated for one flight condition (such as vertical lift) and the other propeller may be operated for another flight condition (such as horizontal flight). Another propulsion system may include a propeller, a one-way bearing, a motor, and a generator. The one-way bearing may allow the motor to drive the propeller in one direction and to spin freely in the other direction to drive the generator with incoming airflow during a gliding phase of flight.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED GEARBOXES FOR EVTOL AIRCRAFT
An electric engine for a vertical takeoff-and-landing aircraft comprising an electric motor assembly including a stator and a rotor. The electric engine may comprise an inverter assembly, a gearbox assembly including a sun gear, and a main shaft including a length of the main shaft that extends from a first end of the main shaft through the gearbox assembly and through the electric motor assembly to a second end of the main shaft. The electric engine may include a hydrodynamic bearing located between the main shaft and sun gear, and a bearing including an inner race mechanically coupled to the main shaft and an outer race mechanically coupled to the rotor. The electric engine may include a bearing including an outer race mechanically coupled to an inner surface of the rotor.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED GEARBOXES FOR EVTOL AIRCRAFT
An electric engine for a vertical takeoff-and-landing aircraft comprising an electric motor assembly including a stator and a rotor. The electric engine may comprise an inverter assembly, a gearbox assembly including a sun gear, and a main shaft including a length of the main shaft that extends from a first end of the main shaft through the gearbox assembly and through the electric motor assembly to a second end of the main shaft. The electric engine may include a hydrodynamic bearing located between the main shaft and sun gear, and a bearing including an inner race mechanically coupled to the main shaft and an outer race mechanically coupled to the rotor. The electric engine may include a bearing including an outer race mechanically coupled to an inner surface of the rotor.