A propeller blade for an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) is disclosed. The UAV includes a plurality of lift propellers and at least one thrust propeller. Each of the plurality of thrust propellers includes a thrust propeller blade coupled to a hub of the thrust propeller. The thrust propeller blade is configured such that a centrifugal force acting on the thrust propeller blade causes a thrust propeller disk area to increase from a first disk area when the UAV is in a first operational state to a second disk area when the UAV is in a second operational state.

The present application relates to a propulsion device having a motor, a mast connected to the motor, an angle sensing device detecting the angle of the mast, a controller receiving the angle of the mast as an input and outputting a motor torque signal to the motor in response thereto, a hub attached to the mast via a single skewed hinge, and a propeller assembly with one or more blades connected to a hub.

The present application relates to a propulsion device having a motor, a mast connected to the motor, an angle sensing device detecting the angle of the mast, a controller receiving the angle of the mast as an input and outputting a motor torque signal to the motor in response thereto, a hub attached to the mast via a single skewed hinge, and a propeller assembly with one or more blades connected to a hub.

A rotor assembly comprises a rotor hub and rotor-blade assemblies. The rotor hub comprises rotor-blade supports. Each rotor-blade assembly is coupled to a respective one of the rotor-blade supports and comprises a flap axle, a hub connector, a rotor blade, and a torsion strap. The flap axle extends through a respective one of the rotor-blade supports and has a central flap-axle axis. The hub connector is pivotable relative to a rotor-blade support about the central flap-axle axis and defines a central hub-connector axis. The rotor blade is coupled to and is pivotable relative to the hub connector, and, together with the hub connector, is pivotable relative to a respective one of the rotor-blade supports about the central flap-axle axis. The torsion strap has a first end, coupled to the rotor blade, and a second end, through which the flap axle passes.

A rotor assembly comprises a rotor hub and rotor-blade assemblies. The rotor hub comprises rotor-blade supports. Each rotor-blade assembly is coupled to a respective one of the rotor-blade supports and comprises a flap axle, a hub connector, a rotor blade, and a torsion strap. The flap axle extends through a respective one of the rotor-blade supports and has a central flap-axle axis. The hub connector is pivotable relative to a rotor-blade support about the central flap-axle axis and defines a central hub-connector axis. The rotor blade is coupled to and is pivotable relative to the hub connector, and, together with the hub connector, is pivotable relative to a respective one of the rotor-blade supports about the central flap-axle axis. The torsion strap has a first end, coupled to the rotor blade, and a second end, through which the flap axle passes.

Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the shape of a propeller blade of an aerial vehicle during operation of the aerial vehicle. For example, the propeller blade may have one or more joints that adjust to alter the shape of the propeller blade. The altered shape of the propeller blade causes the propeller to generate different frequencies of sound as it rotates. By altering multiple propeller blades of the aerial vehicle, the different sounds generated by the different propeller blades may effectively cancel or reduce the total sound generated by the aerial vehicle, and/or alter the total frequency generated.

Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the shape of a propeller blade of an aerial vehicle during operation of the aerial vehicle. For example, the propeller blade may have one or more joints that adjust to alter the shape of the propeller blade. The altered shape of the propeller blade causes the propeller to generate different frequencies of sound as it rotates. By altering multiple propeller blades of the aerial vehicle, the different sounds generated by the different propeller blades may effectively cancel or reduce the total sound generated by the aerial vehicle, and/or alter the total frequency generated.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) adapted for transit in and deployment from a projectile casing is provided. The UAV includes a wing assembly coupled to the projectile casing and the wing assembly moveable between a closed position and a deployed position. The UAV further includes a propulsion system including at least one rotor disposed on the wing assembly to generate lift, wherein in the closed position, the wing assembly is substantially integral with the projectile casing and in the deployed position, the wing assembly is extended outwards from the projectile casing.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) adapted for transit in and deployment from a projectile casing is provided. The UAV includes a wing assembly coupled to the projectile casing and the wing assembly moveable between a closed position and a deployed position. The UAV further includes a propulsion system including at least one rotor disposed on the wing assembly to generate lift, wherein in the closed position, the wing assembly is substantially integral with the projectile casing and in the deployed position, the wing assembly is extended outwards from the projectile casing.

The present application relates to a propulsion device having a motor, a mast connected to the motor, an angle sensing device detecting the angle of the mast, a controller receiving the angle of the mast as an input and outputting a motor torque signal to the motor in response thereto, a hub attached to the mast via a single skewed hinge, and a propeller assembly with one or more blades connected to a hub.