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 flight control system includes an active control inceptor, a flight control computer, and a force trim release. The active control inceptor includes a control member movable from a first position to a second position to command a vehicle-body rate and including a detent position that holds an attitude. The flight control computer generates a trim command from the second position, a reference position, and a vehicle-body state. With the force trim release selected when the control member is moved from the first position to the second position, the first position is designated as the reference position and the second position is designated as the detent position. Upon deselection of the force trim release with the control member at the second position, the second position is designated as the reference position and the trim command is designated as the detent position.

An actuator for aviation applications, in particular for adjusting rotor blades in a helicopter, may include an electromechanical drive assembly connected to an output drive via a downstream transmission, where the drive assembly is divided into sub-drives that can be operated independently, and where at least two sub-drives are spatially separated from one another in that the transmission is placed between these sub-drives. The transmission may include at least two harmonic gearings coupled to one another by at least one first coupling element, where a first harmonic gearing is located inside a non-rotating first housing, where a second harmonic gearing is located inside a rotating second housing, and where the second housing is connected to the output drive.

An actuator for aviation applications, in particular for adjusting rotor blades in a helicopter, may include an electromechanical drive assembly connected to an output drive via a downstream transmission, where the drive assembly is divided into sub-drives that can be operated independently, and where at least two sub-drives are spatially separated from one another in that the transmission is placed between these sub-drives. The transmission may include at least two harmonic gearings coupled to one another by at least one first coupling element, where a first harmonic gearing is located inside a non-rotating first housing, where a second harmonic gearing is located inside a rotating second housing, and where the second housing is connected to the output drive.

A Stability and Control Augmentation System (“SCAS”) module includes a SCAS actuator. The SCAS actuator has a substantially cylindrical hydraulic chamber having a first and second regions. A piston is arranged for linear motion in first and second directions along an axis of the hydraulic chamber. The SCAS module also includes a valve system for controlling a flow of a hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic chamber. The valve system has: at least one supply line arranged to provide a first fluid flow path to the first region of the hydraulic chamber and/or a second fluid flow path to the second region of the hydraulic chamber, and a moveable valve member arranged to have a position between a first and second positions.

A Stability and Control Augmentation System (“SCAS”) module includes a SCAS actuator. The SCAS actuator has a substantially cylindrical hydraulic chamber having a first and second regions. A piston is arranged for linear motion in first and second directions along an axis of the hydraulic chamber. The SCAS module also includes a valve system for controlling a flow of a hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic chamber. The valve system has: at least one supply line arranged to provide a first fluid flow path to the first region of the hydraulic chamber and/or a second fluid flow path to the second region of the hydraulic chamber, and a moveable valve member arranged to have a position between a first and second positions.

An electromechanical system for a gas turbine engine includes a mechanical component located at a first side of a firewall of a gas turbine engine, and an electrical motor located at a second side of the firewall and configured to drive the mechanical component. The electrical motor mechanically connected to the mechanical component through a firewall opening in the firewall, the first side having a higher operating temperature than the second side. An electrical connection extends between the mechanical component and the electrical motor via the same firewall opening.