A rotorcraft includes an avionics control unit (ACU) and multiple power distribution units (PDUs) electrically connected to an electrical bus, wherein each PDU of the multiple PDUs is electrically connected to a respective multiple electrical loads, and wherein each PDU of the multiple PDUs is configured to receive commands from the ACU to couple or decouple one or more of its respectively connected multiple electrical loads from the electrical bus. The ACU is configured to send commands to the multiple PDUs to couple or decouple a first set of electrical loads and to couple or decouple a second set of electrical loads from the electrical bus, wherein the coupling or decoupling of the first set and the coupling or decoupling the second set is based on a first priority of the first set and a second priority of the second set, respectively.

A rotorcraft includes an avionics control unit (ACU) and multiple power distribution units (PDUs) electrically connected to an electrical bus, wherein each PDU of the multiple PDUs is electrically connected to a respective multiple electrical loads, and wherein each PDU of the multiple PDUs is configured to receive commands from the ACU to couple or decouple one or more of its respectively connected multiple electrical loads from the electrical bus. The ACU is configured to send commands to the multiple PDUs to couple or decouple a first set of electrical loads and to couple or decouple a second set of electrical loads from the electrical bus, wherein the coupling or decoupling of the first set and the coupling or decoupling the second set is based on a first priority of the first set and a second priority of the second set, respectively.

A hover-capable aircraft includes a body including a tubular strut, a first rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the body and positioned about the strut, wherein the first rotor assembly includes a first plurality of circumferentially-spaced blades, a first actuation assembly including a first plurality of electronically controlled actuators coupled to a first swashplate and configured to control the movement of the first swashplate relative to the body, and a control system coupled to the body and configured to control the first plurality of actuators, wherein the control system includes a cable extending through a passage formed in the tubular strut and in signal communication with the first plurality of actuators.

A hover-capable aircraft includes a body including a tubular strut, a first rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the body and positioned about the strut, wherein the first rotor assembly includes a first plurality of circumferentially-spaced blades, a first actuation assembly including a first plurality of electronically controlled actuators coupled to a first swashplate and configured to control the movement of the first swashplate relative to the body, and a control system coupled to the body and configured to control the first plurality of actuators, wherein the control system includes a cable extending through a passage formed in the tubular strut and in signal communication with the first plurality of actuators.

A Stability and Control Augmentation System (“SCAS”) module comprising one or more SCAS actuators, the or each SCAS actuator comprising a mechanical component that translates rotational motion to linear motion along a first axis of said SCAS; one or more electric motors for driving linear movement of the mechanical component in response to a command signal; and one or more angular transducers to detect the position of the SCAS actuator along the first axis.

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.

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.

One embodiment is an electric drive system for an aircraft comprising a plurality of redundant motors, wherein power generated by the plurality of motors is used to drive a rotor system comprising a rotor shaft having a plurality of rotor blades connected thereto; a gear box associated with the plurality of redundant motors; a collective actuator for controlling a collective pitch of the rotor blades connected to the rotor shaft; and at least one structural element for retaining the redundant motors, the gear box, and the collective actuator together as a single integrated unit.