B64C11/343

Dual-pitch support for a propeller
09878775 · 2018-01-30 · ·

Apparatus are disclosed that are configured to passively rotate a propeller blade from a first pitch angle to a second pitch angle. An example apparatus involves: (a) a rotor hub, (b) at least one dual-pitch support coupled to the rotor hub, wherein the dual-pitch support has a first surface, a second surface and a cavity defined there between, and (c) at least one propeller blade rotatably coupled to the rotor hub such that a blade root is disposed within the dual-pitch support's cavity, where the blade root's front face is positioned against the dual-pitch support's first surface in a first position and the blade root's back face is positioned against the dual-pitch support's second surface in a second position, and the propeller blade is oriented at a first pitch angle in the first position and is oriented at a second pitch angle in the second position.

Hinged rotor blade to provide passive variable pitch
12172746 · 2024-12-24 · ·

A propeller comprising a hub, a blade, and a hinge is disclosed. In various embodiments, a blade includes a neck portion angled away from a plane of rotation of the hub, wherein the blade has a longitudinal axis extending through the blade and running from a tip of the blade to an end of the neck portion, and a dihedral angle of the blade is an angle of the blade relative to the plane of rotation of the hub. The hinge includes a pivotal link, and connects the blade to the hub, wherein the hinge has an axis of rotation that is offset from a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade, and responds to forces acting on the blade to vary a pitch of the blade including causing the blade to be at a lower pitch and higher dihedral angle in a first mode.